Album reviews: Damon Albarn, Courtney Barnett, Idles, Rod Stewart

Sign up to Roisin O’Connor’s free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. ROC Courtney Barnett – Things Take Time, Take Time open image in gallery Barnett processes trauma through everyday minutiae ★★★★☆ Courtney Barnett’s gift of spinning the seemingly mundane into something more profound is well-documented. She’s bolshier on “Take It Day By Day”, singing over a playful bass hook: “Don’t stick that knife in the toaster/ Baby life is like a rollercoaster.” Skilfully woven in is a warning not to fall into nihilistic tendencies – even when faced with impending disaster. On “Write a List of Things to Look Forward To”, backed by beautifully textured Americana instrumentation, she wonders why we keep trying: “We did our best, but what does that really mean?” This album is Barnett navigating her way out of her own head, reminding herself – and her listeners – that it’s good to care about things. Opener “One More Time” shows promise with its intricate guitar-picking and Stewart’s weathered croons, until he starts pressuring his ex into one last shag, for old time’s sake.