The Recommender: Samuel Barnett
The actor known for The History Boys, Dirk Gently and the current hit stage musical of Pride shares his cultural highlights
Culture
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Review of the Week: Erykah Badu & the Alchemist – Before The World Blows: The Abi and Alan Experiment
The neo-soul queen is back with her first full-length release in over a decade: a hazy, epic collaboration with the Alchemist that transports you with every listen, writes Kate Hutchinson
Reviews
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Saul Williams: ‘Resistance fighters need something to listen to’
The multitalented musician, poet, film-maker and Sinners actor talks to Kate Hutchinson about finding energy, his friendship with Robert Del Naja, and making music in troubled times
Q&A
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Review of the Week: Music, Fashion, Film by Charli xcx
The follow-up album to 2024’s zeitgeist-defining Brat is short, sharp and rocky – but also feels like it’s grasping for something that stays out of reach, writes Nerve music critic Kate Hutchinson
Reviews
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Review of the week: Cry Baby by Vince Staples
Over a foreboding rock soundtrack, the California rapper delivers hard-edged, compelling social commentary on Trump, violence, Black stereotypes and more, writes Nerve music critic Kate Hutchinson
Reviews
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Review of the Week: Rosalía at the O2
The Spanish star’s multifaith, multilingual live spectacular – featuring saints, sinners, an orchestra, and an incense-burner overhead – would make anyone a believer, writes Nerve music critic Kate Hutchinson
Reviews
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Review of the Week: Sexistential by Robyn
Babies, boobs and pop bangers! The Swedish star is back with a euphoric new album embracing the joy of motherhood and messy, middle-aged desire, writes Nerve music critic Kate Hutchinson
Reviews
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'I realised I had to do it for women’: Hole’s Melissa Auf der Maur on Courtney Love, capitalism and sisterhood
As her new memoir is published, the Hole and Smashing Pumpkins bassist answers the Nerve Q&A on love, sex, the corrupting effect of money and patriarchy – and tells Kate Hutchinson how everything changed in the 90s, the ‘last analogue decade’
Q&A
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Review of the Week: Lily Allen on tour
The kitsch live version of the singer’s gut-punch breakup album West End Girl feels, appropriately, like theatre, but somehow lacks a joyful climax, writes Nerve music critic Kate Hutchinson
Reviews
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Review of the Week: Sessa live at Rich Mix
As Brazilian music enjoys a resurgence in Britain, São Paulo’s rising star troubadour visits a rainy London and lifts the crowd to a higher, happier plane, writes Nerve music critic Kate Hutchinson
Culture
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Review: World’s Gone Wrong by Lucinda Williams
The high priestess of Americana is getting more and more politically charged as she enters her 70s – with guest collaborators including Big Thief helping her address the moral collapse of the US on her new album, writes Nerve music critic Kate Hutchinson
Reviews
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Review of the Week: Jacob Alon at Koko
This year’s breakout star writes folk songs of breathtaking intimacy – but even in a venue as big as Koko, they have the power to make time stand still, writes Kate Hutchinson
Reviews
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‘I’m interested in humour!’: How Isobel Waller-Bridge made her new album with Hoovers, shoes and balls
The film and classical composer talks to Kate Hutchinson about avant-garde music, ASMR and the whirlwind experience of working on Fleabag
Culture
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