Song written in 1998 by singer who left Afghanistan during the civil war has taken on new significanceAs yet another generation of Afghans fled their homeland over the past fortnight, one song has resonated as a poignant anthem for the exodus.My Homela…
Abba singles race to top of streaming charts in comeback triumph
Swedish pop group shows cross-generational appeal, amassing 5.5m likes on TikTok since 1 SeptemberTwo singles released from Abba’s first album in 40 years have raced to the top of the streaming charts, in a comeback that has generated praise and excite…
Share your thoughts on the return of Abba
Abba have released new tracks for the first time since the 1980s. We would like to hear your thoughts on the band’s returnAbba have released new tracks for the first time since the 1980s. We would like to hear your thoughts on the five songs. Are you e…
Whatever Kind Of Mood You’re In Tonight
On Strong Songs Kirk Hamilton, “takes listeners inside a piece of music, breaking it down and figuring out what makes it work.” In this episode Kirk tackles Billy Joel’s magnum opus, “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant” “Pull up a table and join Kirk f…
A Swedish pop band releases some new material
ABBA, a band who have previously charted several times, will release a new album, Voyage, in November. Two tracks are available now: I Still Have Faith In You, and Don’t Shut Me Down. There will also [knitwear] be a virtual concert next year. The quart…
Mikis Theodorakis obituary
Classical composer famed for his film scores to Zorba the Greek and Serpico, and for his firebrand politicsFor those with only a nodding acquaintance with Greece and Greek music, the name of Mikis Theodorakis, who has died aged 96, still conjures up Zo…
Abba reunite for Voyage, first new album in 40 years
Swedish hitmakers to release album of brand new material in November, and digital avatars will appear in London concert residency in 2022One of the most anticipated comebacks in pop culture has finally come to pass: the return of Abba.Forty years after…
Penderecki: Complete Quartets review | Andrew Clements’s classical album of the week
Piotr Szymyślik/Silesian Quartet(Chandos)Heard together, the differences between Penderecki’s First and Fourth quartets map an epic journey in 20th-century musicKrzysztof Penderecki’s four numbered string quartets do not trace the course of his creativ…
‘A summer of love!’ Musicians on the awesome, tearful return of gigs
From Sleaford Mods in London to Mogwai in France, bands and performers talk about the strange and wonderful experience of returning to the stage after 16 months of deprivationThere were those few weeks of strange, haunted gigs in autumn 2020, but for m…
China bans reality talent shows to curb behaviours of ‘idol’ fandoms
Broadcasters ordered not to promote ‘sissy’ men in attempt to reshape country’s entertainment industryChina has banned some reality talent shows and ordered broadcasters not to promote “sissy” men, in the latest attempt to reshape the culture of the co…