Taylor Swift returns music to streaming services as rival Katy Perry releases new album

She's known for her soulful blues and folk, with radio-friendly songs whose gentle melodies often belie their powerful messages. Ayo first released her album "Royal" at the beginning of 2020, before the months of lockdown and cancelled concerts that saw her revisit the record and add some extra tracks.

For more than a decade, Tana Quartet has been pushing boundaries and reinventing the link between the past and the future over a dozen albums. Well regarded in the world of contemporary music, the French string quartet has worked with composers from around the world and performed in prestigious venues such as the Paris Philharmonic and the Villa Medici in Rome. The trailblazing pioneers are now releasing a new album of music by American composer Philip Glass. Viola player Julie Michael tells FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot about collaborating with the famous contemporary composer and bringing classical music to a wider audience.

Creeping up on London's indie scene in recent years, Nilüfer Yanya has been hailed as a breath of fresh air; her début album "Miss Universe" impressed critics in 2019 and cemented her reputation as a rising star. Her sophomore album, "Painless", was written and recorded while juggling pandemic-related lockdowns. Nilüfer tells us how she managed to stay inspired while creating that second record and we talk about how London's melting pot leaves its mark on artistic output from the UK capital.

At the start of the pandemic, London-based Palestinian actor, filmmaker and music producer Mo'min Swaitat discovered 10,000 tapes in the West Bank while in lockdown there – music that documented a moment in Palestinian history that hadn't been heard for 30 years. He spent eight months listening to the tapes, making it his mission to digitise and re-release this window into the past. One of the tapes he found was "The Intifada 1987”, an album by Riad Awwad. Mo'min tells Eve Jackson why the discovery is so important to Palestinians.

Dino Brandão is considered one of the most promising young stars on the Swiss music scene. The half-Swiss, half-Angolan musician recently released a debut EP under his own name. "Bouncy Castle" features five afro-folk tracks and is a multicultural melting pot of sunny and yet melancholic songs. Oscillating between tropical melodies and darker folk tunes, he honestly addresses physical ailments and mental issues. He speaks to FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot about the importance of opening up.

Last week, Young penned a letter to company bosses over the comedian's wildly popular podcast which has been condemned by scientists and doctors for spreading misinformation about the Covid-19 vaccine. The 76-year-old musician's catalogue was removed from the streaming service's library on Wednesday.

Known for kaleidoscopic synth-pop - or what they call "experimental sludge pop" - the duo behind Let’s Eat Grandma met when they were small children and have been making music together since their early teens. After two critically acclaimed albums, Rosa Walton and Jenny Hollingworth are set to drop a new LP in April. They tell France 24’s Florence Villeminot about “Two Ribbons”: an album about the gradual dissolution of a friendship, as well as grief and loss in general. We also look at new releases for British independent rock band Alt-J and Welsh musician and producer Cate Le Bon.

Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold speaks to Eve Jackson about his new album, "Catch Me If You Can”, which showcases the Black experience across music, art and style. They also talk about his 2015 release "Sade", a love song sampling One Direction's "Story of My Life", which propelled his career to the next level, as well as his hit song "High" with Afropop star Davido and the importance of singing in his native Yoruba.

Annette Young talks to Louisahhh, a Paris-based American techno artist about the musicians and DJs taking a stand to end a culture of sexual harassment and violence in the industry. Despite being outlawed by the government; female genital mutilation shows no sign of abating in Guinea. We take a look at the battle to end a deeply-rooted tradition. Plus born to be free; the Tunisian female bikers taking to the road to challenge stereotypes in the North African country.

Shady Rabab and his band play instruments he makes from trash. The Egyptian also offers workshops on instrument-making and recycling at schools.

Paris-based Ukrainian DJ and producer Kate Zubok had to cancel a tour of her homeland and put her musical projects on hold following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. She tells us how the conflict has affected her personally and professionally and how she is trying to remain positive. Up-and-coming Parisian electro popster Lewis OfMan also stopped by the FRANCE 24 studios to tell us about his upbeat, sundrenched debut album "Sonic Poems", which he's currently touring across Europe.

This week, we chat to pianist Min-Jung Kym about the book "La Musique Pour Dépasser Le Cancer", which she has co-authored. Scheduled to be published in English in October, it explores music as a form of additional therapy when it comes to cancer treatment. She has also recorded a compilation album for the book entitled "Sounds For The Soul".