Steve Wright
Recent articles by Steve Wright
Bowie at breaking point: Berlin, Eno, and the birth of 'Low'
Haunted by addiction and exile, Bowie found rebirth in Berlin. All hail Low: an unsettling masterpiece born from breaking point
Emotion in every note: Tchaikovsky’s 17 greatest masterpieces, ranked
Romeo and Juliet, the Nutcracker, the Pathétique... Tchaikovsky's repertoire is stuffed full of melodic and emotional masterpieces. Here are 11 of the greatest
Love Dark Side of the Moon? Try these 11 immersive, transcendental albums next
From Supertramp to Brian Eno, explore 11 albums that expand on Dark Side of the Moon’s immersive, atmospheric brilliance
All 13 of Wagner's operas, ranked from worst to best
Over a life of exile and debt, scandalous affairs and high-level adulation, Wagner wrote operas that not only remain unmatched for drama, controversy and spectacle but also utterly transformed the art form itself...
These 7 bands were iconic. But you'll struggle to hear their influence today
They defined eras and left timeless songs—yet these seven iconic bands were a musical full stop, their sound still strangely unclaimed today
Ranked: the 15 best albums of 1971, rock's greatest year. The top 6 are legendary
1971 may be rock’s greatest year: a seismic explosion of innovation, protest, and timeless artistry, yielding 15 landmark albums that still shape music half a century later
Pink Floyd's elegy to a fallen star: why 'Wish You Were Here' endures, 50 years on
Explore the story of Wish You Were Here— Pink Floyd’s haunting tribute to Syd Barrett, and a powerful critique of the music industry that still resonates today
Love 'em, hate 'em: rock's 16 most polarizing albums
From sprawling prog epics to abrasive experiments and left-field detours, these 15 albums divided critics and fans alike — derided by some, worshipped by others
Why Neil Young walked away from fame: the haunting truths behind the 'Ditch Trilogy'
In the wake of fame and tragedy, Neil Young swerved from 'Harvest’s sweetness into the raw, haunted depths of the so-called 'Ditch Trilogy' — his darkest, rawest and truest work
Best of Mozart: 11 essential works - and the recordings you need
From glittering operas to sublime symphonies and intimate chamber pieces, here are 11 of Mozart’s greatest works—timeless masterpieces that reveal his genius in every form
Love Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours'? Try these 11 forgotten West Coast classics next
Worn out your copy of Rumours? These 11 overlooked gems from the California-rock orbit (and beyond) offer golden harmonies, confessions, and glossy ‘70s perfection
These 15 records ended rock's most astonishing album runs
When genius runs dry: 11 records that ended astonishing hot streaks in rock history
Shapeshifters: rock's 17 most radical reinventions, ranked
From Dylan’s electric shock to Bowie’s endless reinventions, these 15 acts didn’t just evolve — they transformed so radically they became almost unrecognisable
Review: Dance of the Night Sky (Black Oak Ensemble)
Kate Wakeling is left invigorated by Black Oak Ensemble’s delightful selection
Review: A Prayer for Deliverance (Tenebrae / Nigel Short)
Ashutosh Khandekar enjoys the choir’s characteristic warmth and versatility under director Nigel Short
These 7 great bands lost a key member – and never recovered
When a band loses its irreplaceable member, the music never sounds the same. These 7 great groups tried to carry on—but never truly recovered
Outliers: 15 albums that sound like nothing else their bands ever made
Some albums defy expectations. From Beatles to Neil Young, these outliers reveal bands daring to experiment — and sometimes bewildering their fans
Alison Balsom reveals she will retire after the 2025 Proms
The multi-award-winning trumpeter revealed she will hang up her trumpet after the 2025 BBC Proms... and also hinted at what's next for her
These 7 rock genres had their moment in the sun - then vanished from sight
Rock evolves relentlessly, leaving behind once-vital sounds. Explore seven forgotten rock genres that shaped music history - but have quietly vanished from today’s airwaves
The album that almost bankrupted Fleetwood Mac
After the huge success of Rumours, Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk shattered expectations: a sprawling, experimental, wildly expensive gamble of obsessions, tensions, and brilliance that nearly bankrupted the band but redefined their legacy
California Dreamin': the 17 greatest Laurel Canyon albums, ranked
From sun-soaked harmonies to confessional folk, these 17 classic Laurel Canyon albums defined a countercultural golden age
From Ziggy to Camille: rock's 15 wildest alter egos
From psychedelic parodies to gender-bending voices and cartoon bands, rock’s greatest alter egos let artists escape, experiment, and reinvent themselves—sometimes eclipsing their “real” identities entirely
Canadian musicians: Canada's greatest performers of all time, ranked
From folk legends to pop icons, Canada has produced extraordinary talent. Here’s our ranking of the 15 greatest Canadian musicians, celebrating innovation, influence, and timeless artistry.
Purrfect playlist: 10 serene musical works guaranteed to soothe your cat
Discover 10 soothing musical pieces scientifically proven to relax and comfort cats, perfect for creating a peaceful, stress-free environment for your feline friend
