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Cabinet rankings reveal Andy Burnham’s ‘de facto deputy’ Louise Haigh is less senior than Chancellor John Healey – but ahead of Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood
The article reports that a published Cabinet ranking places former transport secretary Louise Haigh below Defence Secretary John Healey but above Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. It presents the ordering as politically significant because Haigh has been described as Andy Burnham’s “de facto deputy”, suggesting a prominent role in his wider…
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Add to playlist: the ramshackle, soulful twang of Twisted Teens and the week’s best new tracks
This week’s playlist highlights Twisted Teens, a New Orleans country-punk duo praised for their soulful vocals, literate hooks and deliberately rough-hewn sound. Their rapid run of releases and distinctive style suggest they are emerging as one of 2026’s notable new bands. The article also selects new tracks spanning hip-house, cosmic Americana, post-punk, UK rap, experimental…
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Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford reunite for remixed and remastered deluxe five-disc reissue of Genesis’s 1969 debut album
Genesis’s original members Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Anthony Phillips have overseen a new deluxe reissue of the band’s 1969 debut, From Genesis to Revelation. The release matters because it revisits the group’s earliest recording with a new mix intended to foreground the musicians’ performances over the orchestral arrangements of the original album.…
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Martha Reeves talks Motown, northern soul, and her first new album in 20 years: “I’m going to get my royalties”
Martha Reeves reflects on her Motown career, the enduring British affection for northern soul, and her return to recording with her first new album in around 20 years. The interview presents the release as both a creative comeback and an opportunity for Reeves to reassert control over the value of work that has remained popular…
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‘A Digital Shift Is Crucial’: SEGA to Prioritise Digital Sales, But Won’t ‘Completely Abandon’ Physical
SEGA president Shuji Utsumi says the company will prioritise digital distribution for console and PC games as part of a broader push to reach more players worldwide. The shift matters because PC gaming is expanding, particularly in places where consoles are less accessible, while digital releases can be distributed more widely and efficiently. Utsumi said…
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Ed Miliband ‘furious and let down’ after being snubbed for Chancellor by Andy Burnham, says New Labour ally Ed Balls
Ed Miliband is said to be “furious and let down” after being passed over for the role of Chancellor by Andy Burnham, according to former Labour Chancellor Ed Balls. The claim highlights apparent tensions within Labour’s top ranks as Burnham reshapes the party’s frontbench and policy direction, distancing himself from New Labour-era figures and approaches…
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Indie Basement (7/24): the week in classic indie, alternative & college rock
This week’s Indie Basement column reviews a selection of new and reissued indie and alternative releases, alongside a retrospective “classic” album feature. – Robyn Hitchcock: a review of the singer-songwriter’s latest release. – Baxter Dury: coverage of the British artist’s new album. – Alex Cameron: a review of the Australian musician’s latest work. – Josh…
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Babymorocco Announces New Mixtape ‘The Summer Fables’
Babymorocco has announced a new seven-track mixtape, ‘The Summer Fables’, due for release on 14 August through his PHATBOY imprint. The project is positioned as a link between his previous release, ‘Amour’, and his forthcoming second album, making it a transitional release for the artist’s next musical phase. The mixtape was produced by Babymorocco’s longstanding…