Message in a Bottle masterfully uses the rich music of Sting and The Police to tell a heart-wrenching but uplifting story about the international refugee crisis

The inimitable Kendrick Lamar performed to a sold out Mancunian crowd

Everybody’s favourite Leicester five-piece tackles the dreaded ‘second album syndrome’ with mixed success

Carner moves away from laid-back, mellow beats to intense, emotion driven tracks fuelled with deep political and personal thoughts in ‘hugo’

Whether you’re a rock, hip-hop, or pop-punk fan, you’re bound to discover your new favourite artist at Leeds Festival this year – check out our picks for ones to watch.

Will Waterhouse breaks down each track on Kendrick Lamar’s latest masterpiece.

A review of up-and-coming Australian artist Mallrat’s most recent single ‘Surprise Me’, featuring Azealia Banks.

The single ‘May the Funk Be With You’ is the jazz supergroup’s first of the year, we discuss their collaborators stylistic choices and upcoming live shows

Head Theatre Editor Jay Darcy interviews influencer, music artist and twerk dancer, Jojo Guadz, also known as the Prince of Twerk, in the eighth feature of his social media series

March 1st saw the release of arguably one of the best rap albums of the year – Little Simz, GREY Area writes Robbie Beale

Georgina reviews a stunningly soulful and energertic set from Sampha The Great at YES

Alan reviews Earl Sweatshirt’s latest EP, Feet of Clay, where he continues to pen reflective, intricate verses over the abstract sound he crafted on last year’s Some Rap Songs

Alan provides his opinion on slowthai’s sold-out show at Manchester Academy on his “Bet Ya A £5er” as the audience were given a night to remember

Despite missing first place overall by Blackpool, Manchester has been recognised as a music capital for three music genres

Cara Conte reviews Zoonation’s Olivier Award-nominated Some Like it Hip Hop

Alan takes a look at Danny Brown’s fifth studio album uknowhatimsayin¿, which follows up 2016’s wild Atrocity Exhibition with a more mature, humorous record, cementing Danny’s place as one of the decade’s best rappers.

Chapter 11 of Boomtown Festival did not disappoint Owen Trimming, who reflects on the highlights of the weekend.

Contributor Owen Trimming covers one of the UK’s most exciting festival’s of the year, Boomtown which takes place this August in Winchester

Contributor Dylan James reviews Little Simz’s third studio album GREY area which was released earlier this March

Aaron Georgious reviews the legendary hip hop group Slum Village as they take to the stage of a sold-out Gorilla for a night of old school bangers.