The best jazz of 2018: new heights scaled and legends revisited
John Coltrane’s previously unreleased 1963 recordings dominated, but Myra Melford took improv to new places, and the UK had its most diverse scene in years
Classical CDs of the year: a year for lieder, piano recitals – and remembering
There were works by Debussy, Bernstein and pieces marking 100 years since the end of the first world war, but there were fine new releases of chamber music, too
The 50 best albums of 2018, No 2: Robyn – Honey
Gorgeous harmonies and unerring emotional intelligence dominate on this looser, clubbier follow-up to Body Talk
The best albums of 2018, No 3: Janelle Monáe – Dirty Computer
In letting go of artifice and her alter ego, the American artist has created her best work yet, a coming-out album that celebrates female power and ‘black girl magic’
The 50 best albums of 2018, No 6: Idles – Joy As An Act of Resistance
Mixing rage and humour with real emotions, this is a sorely needed state-of-the-nation address of the kind that British bands no longer seem capable of writing
Guardian music writers have picked their favourite songs of the year – from UK drill breakthroughs to pure pop anthems – and put them all on a giant playlist
