Articles
1967 was rock's year of revolution. We've ranked its 21 greatest albums
1967 wasn’t just psychedelia — these 21 albums reveal brilliance across rock, soul, folk, and avant-garde, redefining music forever
These 11 bands faced tragedy... then came storming back
From devastating losses to triumphant comebacks – these bands turned tragedy into rebirth, proving that music’s spirit can survive anything
The 7 greatest baritone roles in opera
British singer and composer Roderick Williams shares his most enjoyable operatic baritone roles
Sound familiar? Rock's 11 most infamous plagiarism disputes
From Bitter Sweet Symphony to My Sweet Lord, these 11 rock and pop disputes show when inspiration crossed the line - or did it?
'Humpty Dumpty' lyrics and backstory (is it about Richard III?)
Humpty Dumpty is a nursery rhyme we can all recite with gusto but do you know its origins?
How to programme the perfect concert
Violinist Fenella Humphreys shares the joys and complications of choosing the perfect repertoire for an exciting, varied and satisfying concert
‘I thought in that moment, please can I just die’ – pianist Francesco Piemontesi on his best and worst concert performances
Top Swiss pianist Francesco Piemontesi remembers the best and worst performances of his career - including forgetting what he was playing!
These 11 bands each managed just one album. If only they'd done more
From The United States of America to Jeff Buckley, these 11 brilliant acts released only one album – and we’re still yearning for more
Yacht rock: the 15 greatest albums, ranked
Smooth grooves, shimmering production, soulful vocals, sun-drenched sophistication — the definitive 15 Yacht Rock albums sail effortlessly through California with cool and polished perfection
Cold, hunger, totalitarianism: why Westerners gave up everything to study music in the Soviet Union
In the late 1980s, British pianist James Kirby braved cold, hunger and totalitarian rule to study in Moscow. Here he shares his memories with Anthony Cheng
Dvořák Cello Concerto: how a heartbroken composer’s lost love inspired his greatest work
A yearning for his homeland and the devastating loss of a beloved friend give the Czech’s work an almost unbearable pathos, explains Jo Talbot
These 15 classic albums were born from pain, loss and heartbreak
From heartbreak to tragedy, these 15 albums turn grief into art, capturing raw emotion, personal turmoil, and enduring musical brilliance
Kate Bush called this her 'mad' album. But it might be her best
Kate Bush’s The Dreaming: dismissed as 'mad' on release, now hailed as a radical masterpiece of sound, vision, and daring
This dog does something brilliant whenever he sees Pavarotti
Hugo, aka Opera Dog, is an adorable Golden Retriever with a passion for opera. And for the voice of one operatic superstar in particular...
Banned! The 21 most incendiary rock songs of all time, ranked
21 rock songs that enraged censors, provoked controversy, and challenged authority – banned, blacklisted, or silenced, yet defiantly unforgettable
These Stones, Led Zep and Bowie albums always get ranked WAY too low
Fifteen misunderstood rock albums—from Joni Mitchell to Queen—reborn for modern ears, revealing brilliance once dismissed or overlooked
A beginner's guide to the concertos of British composer Malcolm Arnold
11 unforgettable rock years: a bluffer's guide
From psychedelic highs to grunge’s breakthrough, we explore 11 defining rock years and the albums that shaped music history
These 9 rock supergroups wasted huge talent (especially number 8)
Rock’s biggest names don’t always create magic together. These nine supergroups promised greatness, but were less than the sum of their parts
Itzhak Perlman: legendary virtuoso violinist and the sound behind Schindler's List
As we celebrate violinist Itzhak Perlman’s 80th birthday, the virtuoso speaks to Charlotte Smith about teaching, conducting, his famous sound – and keeping inspired over a career of more than 60 years
Thomas Hardy's capture a lost musical landscape
Here's why you should buy British hi-fi in 2025
Prog rock epics: progressive rock's 15 greatest songs, ranked
From cosmic suites to apocalyptic epics, these 15 prog rock masterpieces reveal the genre’s wild ambition and transcendent imagination
These 15 albums don't sound quite like anything else in rock
From pagan folk to noise experiments and cosmic prog, these 15 albums defy convention: rock’s strangest, boldest, most unrepeatable visions