Aimee Cliff

Phoebe Bridgers gives a stripped-back UK debut to her third album, Lost Weekend, at London’s Union Chapel before an arena tour. Performing with Nick White and Christian Lee Hutson, she transforms songs about grief over her father’s death, family trauma and a broken engagement into an intimate but theatrically intense set. The review praises her voice, sharp humour, experimental arrangements and ability to balance devastating emotion with surrealism, concluding that the album expands well beyond the label of “sad songs.”

Nia Archives’ second album blends jungle with indie and R&B influences across a two-part exploration of falling in and out of love. The production incorporates breakbeats, guitar-driven indie energy and more restrained pop moments, with standout emotional tracks such as Almost Always and Lovers Grief. Collaborations with Jorja Smith and Sampha add depth, while songs like Danger showcase her inventive approach to genre. The album reinforces her rising status within a historically male-dominated scene, presenting an expansive, cohesive project that positions her as a distinctive and ambitious artist.