The behind-the-scenes content shared from Lily Allen and her team for ‘West End Girl’ gave the public a rare insight into the usually unsung work of songwriters. What is it like to be involved in such an immensely emotional and personal project, Hannah Ewens asks Lily Allen co-writer Chloe Angelides, and Jessie Ware and Perrie Edwards co-writer and singer-songwriter Nina Nesbitt

Hannah Ewens and Roisin O’Connor speak with some of the artists behind the best records of the year about their own cultural highlights from the past 12 months... and their hopes for 2026

From the thrills and spills of Lily Allen’s ‘divorce album’ to dazzling pop debuts, introspective UK rap and country romps, Roisin O’Connor, Hannah Ewens and Ellie Muir reflect on the best in music 2025 had to offer

From the big-city yearning of Chappell Roan’s breakup ballad to Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s wonderful collaboration ‘Rein Me In’, The Independent’s culture team pick their favourite songs of the past 12 months