Sleeve notes: this week in music

Sleeve notes Friday 13 Feb 2015 g Most read More » The banishing of the mavericks is pop music’s loss Steve Strange showed a generation that they could be, in Gary Kemp’s words, ‘more exciting than we imagined we were’  Don McLean sells American Pie manuscript, saying all will be revealed Singer-songwriter promises original notes and deletions will ‘divulge everything there is to divulge’ about enigmatic ballad he has never fully explained  Drake releases surprise new album Surprise collection If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late is put on iTunes overnight

Editors' picks In the rising tide of pop culture I am not waving but drowning It’s getting harder and harder, but I’m determined to keep afloat – the shows we watch and the celebrities that obsess us speak volumes about society’s values and assumptions  Don Letts: ‘Punk is not mohawks and safety pins. It’s an attitude and a spirit’ The 59-year-old film director, DJ and musician on punk, his pet ferret, and how Bob Marley tried to pull his girlfriends  Peace: 'We want a song that is celebrated by all humans' The Birmingham indie outfit have big hair, bigger tunes, and are beloved by their teen fanbase. But in lean times for guitar music will that be enough? Joseph Tawadros on why the oud is not an 'ethnic' instrument The Egyptian-born Australian oud virtuoso may be the funniest man at the Aria awards – if only they’d ever hand him one during the main show

Today's top stories More » The sound of beating hearts: our writers' favourite love songs With Valentine’s Day upon us, our music team choose the love songs they’ll be listening to over the bouquets and breakfast in bed  James Bay review – the sound of UK pop culture grinding to a halt The Brits critics’ choice winner displays a chronic deficiency of personality, presence and ideas  Django Django, Bear’s Den, Donae’o: this week’s new tracks rated and slated In the Guide single reviews, no one is safe, especially that Cee-Lo wannabe Si Cranstoun  Dr Dre at 50: NWA, bangers and beef – the moments that made a megastar He’s the super producer who came straight out of Compton, taught you how to smoke trees and introduced you to OGs Eminem, 50 Cent and Snoop D O double G. As he hits 50, here are 50 reasons why we’ll never forget about Dre  Blurred sidelines: meet the musicians who are doctors, gardeners and authors Recording artists are pursuing myriad other professions on top of their songcraft – and not simply to pay the bills  On the blog More » The week in music: Grammys 2015 drama, Eurovision's wildcard and more Our weekly music news roundup, with left shark figurines and a one-off Eurovision change  Steve Strange: one of pop's secret architects Steve Strange’s role was not to be a dazzling instrumentalist – it was to make connections and deploy an aesthetic. And that’s what he was brilliant at  ENO under John Berry: six hits and six misses With the company yet again in the headlines today, Andrew Clements selects six great, and six gruesome productions from the past decade at English National Opera  Why Madonna’s Grindr contest is a savvy appeal to the ‘pink pound’ The pop star has joined gay dating app Grindr to promote her new album. What’s next? Kylie Minogue turning into a human firework at Brighton Pride?  Streaming data to sidle up to sales in the first combined UK albums chart The chart’s relaunch on 1 March will spark a return to long-term relevance over quick, commercial success – or so the music industry hopes  Watch and listen More » Why the Unthanks' Mount the Air is the one album you should hear this week – video Alexis Petridis recommends the Unthanks' new album, Mount the Air, which he says is ambitious and rooted in folk traditions  50 shades of Dre – video As Dr Dre turns 50 on, we look back at some of the best moments in his career  Augie March's single Never Been Sad: exclusive to Guardian Australia – video Australian indie-pop favourites Augie March have given Guardian Australia first dibs on the video for their waltzing, whispery new track Never Been Sad  Kanye West interrupts Beck's Grammy acceptance speech – video report Kanye West interrupts Beck on stage as he collects his album of the year Grammy award  Sam Smith thanks ex-boyfriend for Grammy success –video British singer Sam Smith thanks his former partner after winning four Grammy wins at Sunday's night's music industry ceremony in Los Angeles  Further reading More » Gorgon City review – well-oiled machine without any momentum Roundhouse, LondonThe garage house hitmakers are a reminder that not everything needs to be experienced live, though singer Lulu James emerges as one to watch  Girl Friend (No 42) Manchester trio whose immaculate tracks evoke early 80s synthpop and late-80s Balearica  Ibeyi - Ibeyi: Exclusive album stream Have a listen to the French-Cuban sisters’ inventive debut album and let us know your thoughts

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