Stereolab: Instant Holograms on Metal Film review – after 15 years, the retro-futurists make a radiant return

Motorik grooves, Marxist critique and vintage synths – in their first album since 2010, Laetitia Sadier et al pick up where they left off yet sound more timely than ever

Maria Somerville: Luster review – a vivid and vital entry in the shoegaze revival

The Irish artist’s folk-inflected sound is both unnerving and alluring on her luxuriant second album

Julien Baker and Torres: Send a Prayer My Way review – an intimate, queer reclamation of country music

The two deep south songwriters ditch country’s rhinestones for a personal, defiant reframing of the genre’s tropes

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