Music

The economy of guest rap features

Guest verses can be key to the promotion and quality of a hip-hop album. In today’s world of streaming and relentless content, how much do they cost and what’s the payoff?

Rated by The Face: a weekly playlist

The best contemporary music – refreshed weekly.

‘Norman Fucking Rockwell!’ feels like paradise before the apocalypse

Review: Lana Del Rey's most stripped-back album is a seductive but foreboding end-of-summer soundtrack.

100% J Rick: the Essie Gang member shaping his own sound

He helped soundtrack the biggest tunes of last year, now he’s ready to put his name front and centre.

How The 1975’s new video calls for AR anarchy

The pop rockers invited fans to fuck around with facial AR technology for their new music video, People. Here the directors explain how it’s the first of its kind.

Hoodies All Summer: Kano’s upbeat ode to London’s black youth

Review: In 2016, Kano delighted grime loyalists with Made In The Manor – a return to form musically. His new album sustains his second wind.

Kim Petras brings plenty of sass to Heaven

The German artist has cooked up a potent pop recipe, with pinch of Charli, Britney and Madge.

Rated by The Face: a weekly playlist

The best contemporary music – updated weekly.

Taylor Swift’s never sounded more smitten than on ‘Lover’

Review: The superstar’s seventh LP is a shimmering ode to long-term romance.

Chad Muska and Ross From Friends in conversation

The skateboarding veteran and UK dance producer have found a creative kinship. It’s a love-in!

Club Regulars 013: Andras

Melbourne’s nightlife scene may be under a club-closure crisis, but DJ Andras is here to prove the party is still well and truly alive.

The Face Mix 006: Cõvco

An emotive representation of London’s underground.

The beautiful humanity of D’Angelo and the world that doesn’t deserve him

In light of new documentary Devil's Pie, Reba Maybury reflects on the emotional, musical and sexual complexities of D'Angelo.

100% Haich Ber Na: the do-it-all artist

As he releases his new single Nowhere Like It, the rising star shows us why there’s no one like him.

Rated by The Face: a weekly playlist

The best contemporary music – refreshed weekly.

Ariana Grande makes a powerful return to the UK stage

Review: At the first date of the Sweetener tour, it becomes clear that Ariana's a pop legend in the making.

Normani’s stepping into the spotlight

With encouragement from the pop sisterhood, the former Fifth Harmony member has dropped new single Motivation, which was co-written by Ariana Grande.

100% Bakar: the irresistible troublemaker climbing the ranks

The Face hung out with London’s favourite “badkid” ahead of the release of his new track Hell N Back, out today.

Octo Octa: Powerful bodies, beautiful people

The DJ and producer has become a trusted source for dancefloor euphoria. Her next album Resonant Body is her most joyful chapter of her journey so far.

#FreeFlacko: How ASAP Rocky’s Sweden case got the whole world watching

The rapper has been found guilty of assault after an ordeal which provoked powerful feelings about race, privilege and international politics.

“I’m a fan of carboot sales” Metronomy’s Guide to Modern Living

Having relocated from Paris to the countryside in Kent, Joe Mount shares his tips for rural living and domestic bliss.

Jamaica’s brave LGBTQ+ scene is nudging dancehall in a new direction

Over the years, a number of dancehall artists have attracted negative attention for homophobic lyrics. Jamaica Pride gathers a community who love the genre's celebratory aspects.

Rated by The Face: a weekly playlist

The best contemporary music – refreshed weekly.

100% SATICA: the rising singer dishing out truths

Get up close and personal with the Long Beach native as she drops her new EP dear April, ily.