Billie Eilish’s third is a triumph, Shabaka goes woodwind and Yunchan Lim makesthe most thrilling piano debut of the decade … here are our music team’s picks of the best LPs from the first half of the year
January 2024
Future Islands: People Who Aren’t There Anymore review – back to melancholy banger mode
Alexis Petridis's album of the week
Future Islands: People Who Aren’t There Anymore review – a brutal, beautiful breakup album
September 2023
End of the Road festival review – all killer no filler in a truly magical setting
Wilco and Future Islands share the same zealous audiences as newcomers Fat Dog and the Last Dinner Party in a carefully curated weekend of constant surprises
April 2021
Flock of Dimes' Jenn Wasner: 'I became incredibly adept at outrunning myself'
The US indie star who has played with Bon Iver, Sharon Van Etten and more is confronting emotional blindspots on her stirringly brilliant new album
March 2021
'Magic happens, often': Christine and the Queens, Haim, Nile Rodgers and more on the joy of live music
Musicians on the thrill of playing live – and what we can expect when gigs return
October 2020
Future Islands: As Long As You Are review – intensely moving
'We lost ourselves': Future Islands, the synthpop band who nearly blew it
July 2018
Bluedot festival review – Gary Numan makes waves at science-pop mashup
The Flaming Lips and Future Islands share the limelight with fake fungi and a luminarium at the event where revellers can flaunt their geek bona fides
August 2017
Green Man festival review – rock stars rattle Welsh bones in gala of goodwill
Skinny-dipping revellers were treated to ale, acid techno and a dramatic outing from PJ Harvey during a weekend overflowing with generosity and warmth
June 2017
Glastonbury 2017: Friday evening with Radiohead, Lorde and the xx – as it happened
Sleaford Mods and Dizzee Rascal sent out the rhymes, Lorde graced the Other stage and Radiohead were the Pyramid stage headliners for the first big night of Glastonbury 2017
April 2017
Future Islands review – not drowning but raving
Future Islands review – new heights of performative kamikaze
Future Islands: The Far Field review – an accomplished follow-up
Future Islands: The Far Field review – thriving masters of modern synth-pop
March 2017
Katy Perry among 86 artists announced for Glastonbury 2017
Pop superstar joins Solange, Barry Gibb, the xx, Biffy Clyro, Stormzy and the Jacksons down on Worthy Farm
July 2016
Clams Casino: hip-hop's production maestro steps out of the shadows
With tape hiss and Imogen Heap samples, Michael Volpe has become one of rap’s most sought-after beatmakers – and now he’s finally fronting his own project
November 2015
Music blog
Future Islands conquer '258-headed beast' of a world tour
It’s the end of a long road for the Baltimore trio, who wrap up their two-year tour on a high note in Brisbane. ‘It’s okay to move on,’ says Samuel Herring
December 2014
The playlist
The playlist: the best Americana of 2014, with the War on Drugs and Sharon Van Etten
