Latest from Album reviews

Kid Cudi struggles to slay old demons

Kid Cudi's trying to slay some personal demons in his new album, but they're still holding him back.

Childish Gambino album too much of a push?

Awaken, My Love is experimental, to say the least, but will it push fans too far out of their comfort zone?

Lady Gaga's back. Or is she?

A lot of people are praising Gaga for her "stripped back", "raw" efforts on <i>Joanne</i>. But is it really any good?

The album that will have you saying 'Yes Lawd!'

Anderson .Paak has released his second album of 2016, this time as part of NxWorries, and it's amazing.

We should probably talk about this Ghostbusters shocker

For what should be a simple exercise in soundtrack cash-ins, the Ghostbusters OST sure makes a mess of things.

Aaradhna gets confessional on new album

Aaradhna's been through a lot and on Brown Girl she's intent on telling you all about it.

Is this the best NZ album of the year?

Throughout, the album mixes romance and realism in such a clear-eyed manner that you can't help but be won over.

Album review: Field, Complete Nocturrns

John Field (1782-1837) is an elusive figure in 19th century music, an Irish pianist and composer who, for almost three decades, sustained a successful career in Russia.

Scot-rockers Garbage back on snarly form

Across Strange Little Birds Manson is ragged and restless, writhing with hatred and self-loathing.

Album review: Ibert, Orchestral Works

Neeme Jarvi and his Orchestre de la Suisse Romande have been immersing themselves in French music lately, with noteworthy albums of Massenet, Chabrier and Offenbach.

Old soldiers on the long march

It's nww surprise these albums by Bob Dylan (who turned 75 yesterday) and Eric Clapton (71) don't have much, if anything, to do with rock.

Review: James Blake's glorious new album

James Blake's new album is a spellbinding mixture of glorious vocals and spare electronica, which somehow manages to play in the dark side of life while also remaining light and free

Review: Powerful personal and political reinvention

Anohni here fully embraces her femininity and leaps straight into brittle and often dazzlingly appropriate electronica.

Review: No surprises with Radiohead's new album

After a 5 year gap between albums the music remains captivating. And just as anxious and as heartbreaking too.

Album review: I Fagiolini, Amuse-Bouche

You may have met British chamber choir I Fagioilini at the cinema, in John La Bouchardiere's The Full Monteverdi.

Album review: Sokolov, Schubert/Beethoven

In 2015, Deutsche Grammophon released a double CD of Russian pianist Grigory Sokolov's 2008 Salzburg Festival recital.

A number of the best

This is a mighty, mountainous metal album, and if it really is the last we hear of Beastwars, it's a hell of a way to say goodbye.

The album everyone is talking about

If there's one thing the queen of pop proves with the release of Lemonade, it's that she knows how to get people talking.