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

Franz Ferdinand: The Human Fear review – stiffness sets in on stodgy sixth

Alex Kapranos and co are finally acting their age, but have lost their cool in the process

Lauren Mayberry: Vicious Creature review – a solo statement of intent

The Chvrches singer’s debut album skips from punk to pop, wilfully unbothered about current notions of cool

Angel Olsen: Cosmic Waves Vol 1 review – intriguing half compilation, half covers

Five rising artists each perform one of their songs, then the US singer-songwriter covers another one of their tracks in a set of woebegone elegance

Papa M: Ballads of Harry Houdini review – committed to evolution

Cult American musician David Pajo’s latest solo outing reflects his recent troubles but also his restless desire to change things up

The Innocence Mission: Midwinter Swimmers review – lo-fi soft focus on the beauty of everyday life

The married duo’s 13th album was made to evoke ‘the half-remembered singalongs of our 1970s childhoods’, and is full of rich sensory songwriting

MJ Lenderman review – a shooting star from the American south

Showcasing new album Manning Fireworks, the North Carolina indie rising star seals his reputation as a slacker guitar hero who knows exactly what he’s doing

Michael Kiwanuka: Small Changes review – an exquisite return

Five years on from his self-titled Mercury winner, the singer-songwriter scales things down to potent effect

Father John Misty: Mahashmashana review – modern life is still rubbish, yet still beautifully essayed

The singer-songwriter sticks to apocalyptic first principles on his sixth album, couching contemporary chaos in soaring ballads and discofied yacht rock

MJ Lenderman review – songs of solace and goofy poetry from lauded indie darling

The North Carolina musician and his band comfort the crowd with a set of smart, beguiling songs played with skill and camaraderie

Khruangbin review – exquisite dreamy grooves get lost in the ether

Playing latest album A La Sala in full the Houston trio showcase their sophisticated mid-paced melancholy, but their detached vibe diminishes their impact

Shed Seven review – enduring Britpoppers are still going for gold

Despite scoring two No 1 albums this year, the band remain charmingly self-effacing on this 30th anniversary tour

Magdalena Bay review – alien electro-pop adventure could go further

Lead singer Mica Tenenbaum bounces around with huge and winning energy, promising great, dramatic things we never quite reach