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
Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp: Ventre unique review – artful mischief
The Geneva collective are a blast with their brass-driven rhythms, engaged lyrics and energised delivery