'Billie Holiday just glides and floats over the chaos'

The Independent's columnist Terence Blacker found out he could not only be behind the microphone talking about books or political debates, but that he could also sing. He makes his Edinburgh Festival debut this week. Watch him performing three of his songs on the videos below:

Acoustic American folk in which a divorce is reflected upon and other historical lovers are waved farewell.

Mogwai's latest album is the soundtrack to the acclaimed French supernatural drama series The Returned, and they've done a respectful job of augmenting the atmosphere of melancholy, contemplation and unease.

A big legend in small circles, Medicine were the first American band signed to Creation Records and were, according to Planet Pitchfork, 'the American answer to My Bloody Valentine'.

Good fusion bands need great drummers and Marcus Gilmore's all-around-the-kit technique adds massive energy and oomph to star pianist Corea's latest band.

The songs that are hot on our playlist this week

'Most of the music I love is made by awful musicians'

This weekend's Lovebox festival will shine the spotlight on the risks that musicians and DJs take when performing in front of tens of thousands.

Legend takes a less controversial tone, after God-baiting video for 'The Next Day'

'I settled on Nile Rodgers; he's the coolest man alive, really...'

The familiar Lynchian tropes are evident throughout this second solo album from the auteur director. What's not here, though, is the craft and the sheer peculiarity that might make The Big Dream more listenable.

Blessed with a clear, warm voice that soars on choruses to a pure high-register croon, and all-round instrumental skills to rival Stevie Wonder, Mayer Hawthorne is a blue-eyed R&B prodigy admired even by those whose crown he threatens, such as Justin Timberlake.

The Mallorcan singer goes a bit more uptempo on this, her sixth album, and it’s a welcome move.