Kitty Empire
Kitty Empire is the Observer's pop critic. She has written for NME and occasionally crops up on Radio 4, 5Live, BBC 6Music, and has appeared on BBC2's The Culture Show and Newsnight Review. @kittyempire666
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4 out of 5 stars.Kitty Empire's artist of the weekKurt Vile and the Violators review – solid gold stoner rockPhiladelphia’s psych-rock stalwart delivers warm tributes to friends, family and mentors during a many-layered evening of soothing conversational gems
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4 out of 5 stars.The feted singer and actor takes a break from dystopian allegories in favour of wild, smouldering fun
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5 out of 5 stars.Kitty Empire's artist of the weekLe Tigre review – fun meets fury in an unmissable feminist pop reunionLongtime musical activist Kathleen Hanna and her inspirational US party band return with a joyous yet fulminating set that takes no prisoners
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A tale of folklore and magic from Angie Thomas, a hidden land of nature’s wonders and a town full of werewolf children are among the highlights this month
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3 out of 5 stars.Her studio equipment stolen, the London musician began with a more acoustic sound on this second album – but pure electronics are still her strong suit
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3 out of 5 stars.Kitty Empire's artist of the weekParamore review – pop-punk survivors feel the loveSurfing a wave of 00s nostalgia, the resurgent US band span their back catalogue, from the early emo years to their latest chart-topping album, This Is Why
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3 out of 5 stars.The duo return with their intriguingly individual take on beats and plaintive vocals
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3 out of 5 stars.Kitty Empire's artist of the weekSam Smith review – some genuinely moving momentsO2 Arena, London
Smith trades unrequited love for lustful liberation in a maximalist show with an Elton-meets-Lizzo energy – and the occasional sorrowful pause
Killer Mike: Michael review – killer hooks and swaggering, tender introspection
4 out of 5 stars.