‘A folk music wolf in doom metal clothing’: readers’ favourite albums of 2024 so far
Following our rundown of the best albums in the first half of the year, you responded with your own suggestions, from Kali Malone to Kim Gordon
March 2024
The best original photographs from the Observer
Original Observer Photography
Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker: ‘I hit a wall – I had just been going in survival mode’
November 2022
£3m defamation action against musician Phoebe Bridgers is dismissed
Los Angeles court rules against lawsuit filed by producer Chris Nelson
June 2022
Best culture of 2022 so far
The best albums of 2022 so far
From yacht-rock atmospherics to portraits of disaffected Britain, here are our picks of the best LPs from the first half of the year
April 2022
Musicians want us to pay closer attention at gigs. Let’s do them the courtesy
Laura Snapes
With crowds returning to concerts after the pandemic, it’s the perfect time to heed artists and reconsider our behaviour – but we don’t necessarily have to stand in silence
March 2022
Kitty Empire's artist of the week
Big Thief review – a revelatory set from the adored US folk-rockers
Great on record, hair-raising live, the four-piece come to vivid, pulsating life on stage with songs full of ecstasy and frustration
February 2022
Big Thief: Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You review – their best to date
Stark balladry meets raucous hoedowns as the US indie rockers offer fresh highlights with every listen
January 2022
‘I need to not be violent to myself’: Big Thief on pain, healing and their intense musical bond
The folk-rockers have weathered divorce and trauma to become one of the US’s best bands. Loved up with one another on tour, they explain their need for imperfection – and why recording is like sex
July 2021
Mega Bog: Life, and Another review – a beautiful, bewildering fantasy
Meaning eludes the listener in Erin Birgy’s sixth album, an oblique, jazzy folk-pop offering that, with time, reveals itself
March 2021
Who will – and should – win the 2021 Grammy awards?
Beyoncé is looking to convert her nine nominations while Billie Eilish could repeat her success last year – but there’s strong competition from Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift, and an all-female rock lineup
January 2021
Buck Meek: Two Saviors review – too laid-back for his own good
The Big Thief guitarist’s wonderfully relaxed second solo album all but drifts by
November 2020
Cottage industry: the enduring power of the ‘cabin in the woods’ album
From Bon Iver to Taylor Swift, artists and audiences continue to be drawn to the homespun allure of the isolation album
April 2020
On my radar
On my radar: Laura Marling's cultural highlights
The singer-songwriter on Greta Gerwig, an intimate podcast – and what she’s binge-watching in lockdown
March 2020
Big Thief review – subtle rockers make a grand noise
Despite a stage presence bordering on the self-effacing, the US indie folk quartet are a class act with a devoted following
February 2020
Big Thief review – brawny folk-rockers beguile the big leagues
The New York group play their biggest-ever gig, and captivate thousands with their unshowy, confidently beautiful songcraft
December 2019
Best music of 2019
The 50 best albums of 2019: the full list
Best music of 2019
The 20 best songs of 2019
October 2019
Big Thief: Two Hands review – a more earthbound follow-up to UFOF
Big Thief: Two Hands review – powerful and gritty grunge folk
