After years of remote collaboration and standins, the indie experimentalists are all back in the same room – and overburdened with ideas

Pharrell Williams, Sampha and Tyler, the Creator are among the guests on Knowles’ fourth album – but they can’t always prevent it from floating away

(Domino)

Artists reflecting on the relationship – from both angles – include Madonna, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder and Four Tet

Sunshine is about the only thing missing in a weekend of stellar performances from Animal Collective, Broken Social Scene and Ezra Furman

Touches of the sublime that could be expected from the makers of Merriweather Post Pavilion are lost in this troubled performance

The Observer’s pop critic picks the musical highlights for the rest of winter, from Elton John’s new record to Tame Impala on tour, plus the return of Animal Collective

Dixie Chicks are back on the road for the first time since the controversy that derailed their career, while Adele had 10 million people trying to buy tickets for her shows – but there’s more to the American touring circuit than that