Matthew E White review – a masterclass in limitations

A rare solo gig from Matthew E White proves an unusually intense encounter following the sudden death of his amp

Modest Mouse: Strangers to Ourselves review – a solid enough return

The American indie act’s first album in eight years is enjoyably inventive, if occasionally heavy going

Daniel Johns: Aerial Love review – an unexpectedly slinky and sensuous EP

The former grunge rocker shows his more soulful side with a new release filled with beautifully restrained electronica and sticky falsetto, writes Everett True

Modest Mouse: Strangers to Ourselves review – indie-rock business as usual

Isaac Brock’s pal-up with Outkast’s Big Boi suggested Modest Mouse’s new album might be something quite different – but it’s really not

Idlewild review – their influence is overlooked

Frontman Roddy Woomble leaves his high-yelping days behind him as the Scottish band return to reignite a back catalogue rich in great choruses

Will Butler: Policy review – endearingly ramshackle

The first solo album from Arcade Fire’s Will Butler is driven by his own personal dynamism

Love Of Diagrams: Blast review – lacklustre shoegaze that plays it too safe

Melbourne’s indie darlings turn in a competent fourth album – but should the band be applauded for simply sticking to their guns?

Will Butler: Policy review – freewheeling songs full of big questions

Arcade Fire’s Will Butler presents an album of eight raucously enjoyable songs that hop between genres with delightful skill

Young Guv: Ripe 4 Luv review – jangling between Big Star and C86

What elevates this beyond mere pastiche is Young Guv’s desire to branch out

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – playful eccentricity from an indie stalwart

The former Pavement lead singer played his grungy classics and new offbeat pop tracks to a packed Sydney crowd

The War on Drugs review – triumphant, molten heartbreak music

Brixton Academy, LondonAdam Granduciel’s fractured, soul-spilling songs move beyond ragged-glory Americana into rhythmic, sparky epics tonight

Mogwai review – driving krautrock played seat-shakingly loud

Sydney Opera House, SydneyThe Scottish post-rock band celebrate 20 years of noisy music, with volume dials turned up to the limits of the Opera House’s acoustic system

Purity Ring: Another Eternity review – average alt-pop hybrid

The Canadian duo opt for more of a teen-pop sound on their sophomore effort, and thus lose the odd sound that made them appealing

Ghostpoet: Shedding Skin review – new alt-rock territory grabs bigger ideas

Obaro Ejimiwe takes himself in a different musical direction, by way of developing into a more compelling artist

The Cribs review – like setting off a firework in a tin can

The Jarman brothers messily assault their punkish indie oeuvre with a rush that feels positively Proustian in its recall of the mid-noughties, writes Malcolm Jack