It’s been a heavy year in many ways. And when you work in news, there’s no shying away from that. But music can be a respite – something to help process the heaviness, and something that brings escape and joy.

When we asked Head of Music at SXSW, Claire Collins, to pick her favourite albums of the year, both the heaviness and the joy were reflected back at us. She’s picked five albums for you to blast this summer, as you prepare for the year ahead.

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Guest: Claire Collins, head of music at SXSW

Photo: Ian West/PA Wire

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