4 albums you need to hear this week

In the age of streaming, it’s never been easier to listen to new music — but with over 60,000 new songs added to Spotify every day, it’s also never been harder to know what to put on. Every week, the team at Rolling Stone UK will run down some of the best new releases that have been added to streaming services.

This week, we’ve highlighted records by Dua Lipa, Lauren Mayberry, Rosé and Shabaka.

Dua Lipa – Dua Lipa Live From The Royal Albert Hall

Reviewing Dua Lipa’s orchestral show at the Royal Albert Hall earlier this year, which saw her collaborate with a 53-person orchestra and 14-person choir, Rolling Stone UK said: “The idea is an interesting one, but in reality not much changes here from her studio material, and it’s probably for the better. Hers are some of the best pop songs of the decade so far, and to radically transform their shape and structure could serve to dilute their power. Instead, the sweeping string section and stirring horns add a new layer of paint while not being transformative.” It’s the same story on this live album, which brings the heft and majesty of the beefed-up arrangements but largely stays true to Lipa’s catalogue of hits.

Listen on: Spotify | ‎Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music

Lauren Mayberry – Vicious Creature

Talking to Rolling Stone UK earlier this year about going solo, CHVRCHES vocalist Lauren Mayberry said: “It’s hard to get people to re-see you. People already know you and like you as one thing.” On debut album Vicious Creature, she finds a different slant and treatment to her distinctive voice, digging into more personal stories in the album’s lyrics and towards softer textures in its music. “I think I’ll people-please myself into a grave if I’m not stopped,” she laughed to us in our interview, and Vicious Creature represents the brilliant and worthy process of taking the power back into her own hands.

Listen on: Spotify | ‎Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music

Rosé – Rosie

The debut solo album from BLACKPINK’s Rosé is her most personal and intimate yet, reflected in its title, Rosie. The album – co-written and co-produced by the singer – is her first solo music since splitting from BLACKPINK’s label YG Entertainment for her solo work. As such, this record feels like a new beginning and a step forwards. It’s led by the Bruno Mars collaboration ‘Apt.’ and sees her stretch her wings from pure pop towards tender balladry.

Listen on: Spotify | ‎Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music

Shabaka – Possession

With his debut album under his first name, Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace, Shabaka Hutchings came through with his promise to leave behind the saxophone and tread a new path defined by woodwind instruments. After that beautiful, slow and ambient record, he returns with the collaborative EP Possession, that features André 3000, Billy Woods, Elucid and more. It slowly brings more structure and shape to Shabaka’s gorgeous new sound.

Listen on: Spotify | ‎Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music