Pulp: Spike Island review – Jarvis Cocker and co’s joyous second coming
The anthemic lead single from the band’s first album in 24 years casts a wary eye over their peak 90s fame – but also suggests that performing is irresistible
Black Country, New Road: Forever Howlong review – revamped alt-rockers take a newer, weirder road
After losing their frontman, the band’s third studio album shows how resilient and adaptable they are, with luscious melodies, fantastical lyrics and lots of recorders
Destroyer: Dan’s Boogie review – darkness haunts a gorgeous ruined palace of a record
Frightening fates await the protagonists of Dan Bejar’s 14th album, but the mercurial Canadian’s perspective and lavish instrumentation are a reminder of beauty’s potential
Lucy Dacus: Forever Is a Feeling review – Boygenius singer turns timidly tasteful
The Virginia songwriter gets lost in understatement on a loved-up album about her relationship with bandmate Julien Baker, shrouding sharp lyrics in shy melodies
Throwing Muses: Moonlight Concessions review – as ever, Kristin Hersh is astonishing
For their 11th album in a nearly 40-year career, the alt-rockers switch focus to acoustic guitars and cello – but their tumultuous tales are still charged with elemental power
Ichiko Aoba: Luminescent Creatures review – nurturing music for bleak times
The cult Japanese singer-songwriter’s new album, inspired by the Ryukyu islands, is like a powerfully soothing sound bath
Bartees Strange: Horror review – frustratingly timid genre-mashing experiment
With producer-to-the-stars Jack Antonoff on board, the anarchic American rocker offers glimpses of inspiration but fails to follow through
Horsegirl: Phonetics On and On review – a minimalist indiepop masterpiece
With Cate Le Bon as producer, the Chicago indie trio’s second album is a quantum leap, full of poignant restraint and lyrical clarity
Hamish Hawk review – Jarvis Cocker-esque Scot shows why he’s at the edge of the big time
Also channelling Elvis and Scott Walker, the charismatic singer’s character softens as he moves from bold songs from latest album A Firmer Hand to older tracks
Biig Piig: 11:11 review – long-awaited debut hovers on the edge of clubland
Switching between English and Spanish vocals, Irish singer-songwriter Jess Smyth’s genre-hopping set feels most at home in the quieter moments
The Brian Jonestown Massacre review – psych-rock survivors play it safe
Anton Newcombe and co rummage through the rock history books, but lack the danger and unpredictability their reputation was built on
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy: The Purple Bird review – Will Oldham goes country, but darkly
Recorded in Nashville, the American outlier’s latest is concerned with the state of the nation and more, though there’s mischief in there too
Sharon Van Etten and the Attachment Theory album review – going goth to confront our grim world
Fronting a brand new band, the singer-songwriter dives into the dark side, with confusion and foreboding creeping through 80s moods, big choruses and fine melodies
Mogwai: The Bad Fire review – noise stalwarts’ journey into hell is unexpectedly heavenly
(Rock Action)While old-school fans may lament their softening, the Glasgow band swap rage for refuge as they face personal strife – and their 30th anniversary
Lambrini Girls: Who Let the Dogs Out review – stomps straight to the top of British punk’s table
Championed by Iggy Pop and riot grrrl royalty, the Brighton duo pile on the jagged riffs, scabrous humour and swearing for their politically charged debut