Plus: The mix tapes that defined our lives

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Sleeve Notes
Picks of the week
Linkin Park on nu-metal, nostalgia and their new frontwoman
‘People lashed out because she wasn’t a guy’  
Linkin Park on nu-metal, nostalgia and their new frontwoman
After the death of lead vocalist Chester Bennington in 2017, the rap-rock icons have reformed, aiming to cultivate ‘good vibes’ for a new generation of fans. Mike Shinoda and Emily Armstrong discuss backlash and rebirth
‘I can’t believe not everyone catastrophises!’  
Liz Stokes of Kiwi band the Beths on anxiety, ambition and being anti-optimisation
Connie Francis was a trailblazing pop star haunted by tragedy
Bob Stanley
Where Oasis, the Killers and Noddy Holder raised hell  
Britpop’s debauched HQ, the Columbia hotel
Reviews
Alexis Petridis's album of the week  
Jim Legxacy: Black British Music – London iconoclast catalyses chaos into a major mixtape
Jim Legxacy: Black British Music – London iconoclast catalyses chaos into a major mixtape
Justin Bieber  
Swag – inane lyrics undermine a gorgeously produced R&B passion project
Folk album of the month  
Poor Creature: All Smiles Tonight – Lankum and Landless members steep tradition in lightness
Alex G  
Headlights – indie-rocker reins in the noise to reveal romantic soft rock
 

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Spotlight
From awol to A-lister: how pop stars from Charli xcx to Addison Rae found the fun in fame again
Music  
From awol to A-lister: how pop stars from Charli xcx to Addison Rae found the fun in fame again
Laura Snapes
Despite their predecessors stressing the horrors of pop success, a new cohort are hungry for it, reflecting the ambitions of spotlight-hungry gen Z and the shamelessness of Trump 2.0 life
Classical
Eight hours, 250 singers… and as many bananas as it takes  
Tavener’s Veil of the Temple
Tavener’s Veil of the Temple
Album review  
Chloe Chua: Mozart Violin Concertos – teenage prodigy’s interpretations are balanced and mature
Chloe Chua: Mozart Violin Concertos – teenage prodigy’s interpretations are balanced and mature
Album review  
Julieth Lozano Rolong – Alma: Ibero-American Songs – Colombian soprano’s captivating debut
Julieth Lozano Rolong – Alma: Ibero-American Songs – Colombian soprano’s captivating debut
‘It’s a high-wire act. Every choice matters’  
Danielle de Niese takes on opera’s most notorious femme fatale
Danielle de Niese takes on opera’s most notorious femme fatale
Add to playlist
Add to playlist  
Céline Dessberg’s harp evokes Hollywood and home – plus the week’s best new tracks
Céline Dessberg’s harp evokes Hollywood and home – plus the week’s best new tracks
Breakups, booty calls and bare-all balladry  
SZA’s 20 best songs – ranked!
‘Is Peter Gabriel in my vocal range? I don’t care. I’m singing it at karaoke’  
Xzibit’s honest playlist
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