Sharon Van Etten review – turning heartache into gold

With an engaging live set, Sharon Van Etten marks herself out as a survivor rather than a victim, writes Jenny Stevens

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard: I’m in Your Mind Fuzz review – enthusiastic take on psych-rock

The young Australians are at their best when they’re raucous, writes Phil Mongredien

Slim Twig: A Hound at the Hem review – high drama and eerie tension amid the sonic chaos

Part psych-pop, part ELO, part 80s indie, Slim Twig’s latest exists at the centre of a storm of chaos and disorientation, writes Jon Dennis

Pixies: Doolittle 25 review – alt-rock milestone from US indie’s weirdest stars

Alexis Petridis: Outsiders even within the weird world of 1980s US experimental rock, the Pixies made an improbable lunge for mainstream acceptance with Doolittle, and it actually kind of worked

The National review – better at close-up magic

The cavernous venue militates against the National’s subtlety and character: a rousing finale can’t hide the underwhelm, writes Mark Beaumont

The Jesus and Mary Chain review – Psychocandy revisited

The Jesus and Mary Chain’s debut album still thrills on the first night of its 30th anniversary tour, writes Kitty Empire

Alex G: DSU review – Gen-Xers delicately reinvented, slacker-style

This secretive internet sensation wears the influences of Stephen Malkmus and Elliott Smith lightly, writes Harriet Gibsone

Fryars: Power review – memorable melodies and visions of loneliness

Benjamin Garrett’s second album has echoes of the Golden State, writes Paul MacInnes

Sleaford Mods: Chubbed Up+ review – vital austerity-age invective

Attracting critical attention hasn’t soured the Nottingham duo’s foul-mouthed sound, writes Alexis Petridis

Ariel Pink review – sleazy and undercooked

Much of Pink’s provocative gonzo pop is lost in a muddy sound system and he only really engages with us too late, writes Priya Elan

Pere Ubu review – thrillingly unorthodox and cerebral rock music

Frontman David Thomas is in wonderfully contrary form in a show short on classics and predictability but long on invention, writes Dave Simpson

Sarah Humphreys’ New Moon review – terrific start but fails to match up to opener

There are three standout tracks in the Australian troubadour’s third album, produced by longtime fan Kasey Chambers, writes Everett True

TV On the Radio: Seeds review – pop emerges from darkness

After a three-year break mourning bandmate Gerard Smith, TVOTR return with a surprisingly catchy album, writes Dave Simpson

Paul Smith and Peter Brewis: Frozen by Sight review – peculiarly riveting

This intriguing Maxïmo Park/Field Music collaboration weaves the detail of everyday life into a subtle whole, writes Harriet Gibsone

Azealia Banks: Broke With Expensive Taste review – the album she wanted to make

Broke With Expensive Taste shows why people got excited about Banks in the first place, even if it remains a niche concern, writes Alex Macpherson