Classically trained Rachel Parris dissects the one-off album Balter/Saunier, a collaboration between the Chicago orchestra Ensemble Dal Niente, influential art-rock band Deerhoof, and Brazilian composer Marcos Balter.

Rachel Parris & an orchestral art-rock collaboration

For James Acaster 2016 is the greatest year for music of all time. Following a breakup James set out to rekindle his love for music by buying hundreds of new and niche releases from 2016. Now he's sharing his obsession with fellow comedians, exploring his favourite albums: from Beyoncé's internet-breaking Lemonade, to Colombian math rock fusion, and everything in between.

Music

Heavn by Jamila Woods fuses R&B;, Jazz and various other genres including classic indie.  Surely it must appeal to Cure-loving Fatiha!

Fatiha El-Ghorri is in Heavn

Freetown Sound by Blood Orange is such an "immaculate" album that James worries he might burst into tears just talking about it.  Here's hoping Aparna feels the same, otherwise trouble could be afoot.

Aparna Nancherla & Freetown Sound

Splendor & Misery is a sci-fi concept album by experimental rap trio Clipping.  Lyrics and soundscapes combine to tell an Afrofuturist story of an escape from oppression into the void of space. Jen Ives prepares to be transported.

Jen Ives & An Escape Into Space

James confesses to being in love with ScHoolboy Q's Blank Face LP.  With a Gangsta rap core but with psychedelic overtones and great production, is there enough to seduce Stuart Laws too?

Stuart Laws & ScHoolboy Q

The ever-polarising Kanye West can be controversial at times but James can't help but like the music. After all, his 2016 album The Life of Pablo has a vein of weirdness running through it that is right up James' street. However, is it a path Toussaint Douglass is willing to tread?

Rachel Parris & an orchestral art-rock collaboration

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