CD: Foals - Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 2

Intelligent pop with poetry and heart

Foals, the band with a trademark sound characterised by the African-style intricate interplay of rhythm rather than lead guitars, returns with what amounts to the second half of a double album. The first half was released last spring, and this new release might well feel like more of the same. But the band’s powers of invention are well up to creating tracks that shine on their own.

Our Lady of Kibeho, Theatre Royal Stratford East review - heaven and hell in Rwandan visions

★★★★ OUR LADY OF KIBEHO, THEATRE ROYAL STRATFORD EAST Heaven and hell in Rwandan visions

Questions of faith in Katori Hall’s luminous meditation on belief, doubt and miracles

The American dramatist Katori Hall has created a work of rare accomplishment in Our Lady of Kibeho, a play that combines a beautifully established picture of a particular world – a church school in rural Rwanda, in the early 1980s – with profound themes such as faith and belief.

CD: Tinariwen - Amadjar

Tuareg crew’s collaborations take their desert grooves to new and beautiful places

Tinariwen’s music has always been evocative of West African deserts with their mellow blues-like guitars and shuffling groove. Initially recording everything in Mali until it was invaded by religious fanatics who deemed playing music forbidden, Tinariwen have had to lay down their last few discs away from home.

José Eduardo Agualusa: The Society of Reluctant Dreamers review - vivid visions towards a free Angola

★★★ JOSÉ EDUARDO AGUALUSA: THE SOCIETY OF RELUCTANT DREAMERS Vivid visions towards a free Angola

When dreams become politically meaningful, where does reality lie?

Reality follows dreams in José Eduardo Agualusa’s latest experiment in quixotic political fable. The book opens with journalist Daniel Benchimol waking at the Rainbow Hotel in Angola’s capital, Luanda: “I saw long black birds fly past. I’d dreamed about them.

The Lion King review - a dazzling photocopy

★★ THE LION KING A technological triumph doesn't touch the heart

A technological triumph doesn't touch the heart

The cynicism of this film’s existence squeezes all the feeling from it. It approaches cherished childhood memories of the original The Lion King (1994) with a view to remonetising them. Technological advances apart, there’s no reason at all for this Lion King.

CD: Santana – Africa Speaks

The legendary guitarist gets personal and has fun doing it

You hear a lot about living legends, but there aren’t actually that many around – at least not since the first half of 2016. Carlos Santana, however, definitely fits the bill. From his early days stealing the show at Woodstock alongside drummer Michael Shrieve, to achieving bone fide icon status for his pioneering work in the field of fusion solos, he’s at a stage where he can do pretty much whatever he wants. 

Freedom Fields review - Libya’s next freedom fighters

★★★★ FREEDOM FIELDS How Libyan women use football to break boundaries

Insightful documentary shows how women use football to break boundaries

Set in the months and years after the Libyan revolution, Freedom Fields follows several women aiming to compete in international football. The documentary finds the players excitedly preparing for their first overseas tournament.

CD: Youssou N'Dour - History

Golden voice of Africa: over-produced

Yousou N’Dour has come a long way from his cassettes with Super Etoile de Dakar, that wild mbalax energy, fed by the clatter of the high-pitched sabar drums, with vocals that soared and fizzed with emotion and soul.  Today’s Youssou is air-brushed and smooth, world music for global tastes, with a slickness that almost - but not quite – submerges the unique quality of the heart-stirring voice that made him famous.

The Widow, Series Finale, ITV review - Congolese drama parts company with reality

★★ THE WIDOW, SERIES FINALE, ITV Congolese drama parts company with reality

In which the Williams brothers jump the shark

Are brothers Harry and Jack Williams mounting a takeover bid for British TV? They’ve written (among other dramas) The Missing, Liar and Baptiste, and they produced Fleabag. However, judging by their co-writing efforts on The Widow (ITV) they’re spreading themselves thin.