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
Cyndi Lauper review – still showing her true colours in fun farewell tour
There’s still no-one else like the 71-year-old star: she gives rambling speeches and accidentally hits someone with a recorder, but her voice punches through the chaos
Maribou State review – UK duo turn darkness into light after existential crisis
With Chris Davids recovered from a brain condition, the electronic act’s first tour in years is full of committed, emotionally resonant performances
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
Nadia Reid: Enter Now Brightness review – a restorative balm of folk-tinged songwriting
Like a more genteel and jaunty Laura Marling, the singer-songwriter’s exquisite voice and timeless simplicity make her fourth album a very reassuring companion
Olly Alexander: Polari review – Hi-NRG throwback for the Radio 2 crowd
The actor-singer’s solo debut proper looks to 1980s gay clubland for inspiration, but plays it too safe under all the retro synths and stammered-vocal effects
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
The Weeknd: Hurry Up Tomorrow review – a record that will floor you … and drive you up the wall
On a somewhat exhausting sixth album, Abel Tesfaye uses Brazilian funk, punishing house and lush 70s soul to press great songs into the service of rotten lyrics
Teddy Swims: I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2) review – extra-size emotion
The huge-voiced Atlantan behind last year’s megahit Lose Control is back, and in love, on this unignorable, playlist-pleasing follow-up
Manic Street Preachers: Critical Thinking review – older and wiser
The Welsh rockers’ 15th album finds them in thought-provoking mood
Lady Blackbird review – flamboyance and nuance from late-blossoming jazz-soul star
Behind the impressive Grace Jones-esque stage outfits, the US singer is blessed with both lung power and sensitivity
Mogwai: The Bad Fire review – a flame that still burns bright
Conceived in troubled circumstances, the Glasgow band’s follow-up to their 2021 chart-topper As the Love Continues is compelling balm
FKA twigs: Eusexua review – a hymn to the healing power of the dancefloor
Coining a word to describe a particular state of euphoria, twigs effortlessly juggles left-field digitals and club pop tunes on album No 3
Teddy Swims: I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2) review – retro soul with a retro lyrical attitude
The soft-alpha streaming sensation behind Lose Control returns with more of the same Motown and Stax pastiches, with the odd diversion into soft rock