THE FACE Podcast: the BRITs vs Rihanna
Our team reviews the highs and the lows of two massive music events on either side of the Atlantic.
Music
14 African love songs for Valentine’s Day
A romantic roundup of classics and crowd-pleasers from south of the Sahara.
The best new tracks, picked by our staff
Rated by THE FACE: a playlist featuring Two Shell, Central Cee, Ayra Starr and slowthai.
Blaketheman1000 on false politeness and TikTok pasta
100%: Dimes Square’s favourite musician dishes the dirt on his biggest pet peeves and getting bitten by a napkin-crazed dog.
Rihanna on her new music: “I’m feeling open to creating things that are weird”
All the tea from Rih’s pre-Super Bowl halftime show press conference, including (tiny) clues about upcoming music.
Cat Burns: “I want to inspire young Black queer girls”
As she gears up to perform at the BRITs this weekend, where she’s nominated for three awards, the South London chart-topper chats about her massive breakthrough.
The best new tracks, picked by our staff
Rated by THE FACE: a playlist featuring PinkPantheress & Ice Spice, Yves Tumor, Nia Archives and P-rallel.
Is TikTok ruining the Berlin club scene?
Armed with sunglasses and Berghain entry tips, the new wave ravers are spilling all the secrets.
We’ve launched a new weekly podcast series
THE FACE Podcast will cover the biggest stories in music, movies, fashion and politics.
Acid Northumbria: dreaming up new realities in the North of England
In an excerpt from his new book The North Will Rise Again, Alex Niven traces a lineage from the Beatles and Factory Records, to the psychedelic thinkers enduring the political landscape of today.
The best new tracks, picked by our staff
Rated by THE FACE: a playlist featuring Lil Yachty, Slowthai, Avalon Emerson and Rosalía.
Has Sam Smith found their edge?
After filling the airwaves with middle-of-the-road ballads, the British star signalled a more risky era with Unholy. New album Gloria plays it disappointingly safe, but Smith’s effort in queering the mainstream can’t be knocked.
The best new music, picked by our staff
Rated by THE FACE: A playlist featuring Ice Spice, Yaeji, Overmono and Headie One.
Why the world never got over Jai Paul
The enigmatic musician is emerging from the shadows to perform at this year’s Coachella. Despite his lack of self-promotion, his music has stayed fresh in the memories of a generation.
AntsLive is the horse-riding rapper who’s blowing up on socials
The North Londoner has impressed KSI and Mia Khalifa with his viral track, Number One Candidate.
Bloody Civilian commands attention with no-holds-barred lyrics
100%: The afropop singer is one of the hottest musicians in Nigeria right now – and she’s only got two songs out.
New Parisian Noise
Open-minded collectives like 99GINGER are giving the French capital’s party scene a much needed shake-up.
The best new tracks, picked by our staff
Rated by THE FACE: a playlist featuring AntsLive, Miley Cyrus, Hemlocke Springs and GloRilla.
LCY puts club bangers in a conceptual framework
100%: The DJ / producer member discusses their celestial new EP, the struggle to quit vaping and, er, tuna mayo sarnies.
The best new tracks, picked by our staff
Rated by THE FACE: a playlist featuring Popcaan, NewJeans, Clavish and Finn Foxell.
Women in music are getting deliciously petty
Taking the high road is officially out. But if you really want to get revenge on an ex? Do it like Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Rey, who have elevated the post-breakup dig to new heights.
10 rising music acts we think you’ll love
Take it from us – these lot are going to smash it in 2023.
Listen to THE FACE’s podcast with Hayley Williams and Wet Leg
In Episode Five of Face-to-Face, the Paramore legend talks to the Isle of Wight duo about rollerskating, tour life and Misery Business.
This year’s best party photos from The Standard, London
In 2022, the likes of Megan Thee Stallion, Tems and PinkPantheress have blessed the hotel with their presence.
