The Coral: Sea of Mirrors review – their best album since their debut
Including a cameo from Cillian Murphy, the Merseysiders have concocted a twangy, dreamlike folk-rock sonic voyage through Britain in decay
End of the Road festival review – all killer no filler in a truly magical setting
Wilco and Future Islands share the same zealous audiences as newcomers Fat Dog and the Last Dinner Party in a carefully curated weekend of constant surprises
Wilco review – guitar fireworks fused with complex emotions
The still-startling sonics of Jeff Tweedy and his Chicago survivors keeps them sharp-edged as they return to their Americana roots
Slowdive: Everything Is Alive review – exquisite songs from the comeback kids of shoegaze
The band perfected their blend of dreamy guitar noise washes and indecipherable lyrics decades ago, and the latest example has plenty of haunting beauty
Boygenius review – emotional sucker-punches and superb harmonies
In their biggest show to date, Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus showcase a sisterly camaraderie and a trunk of crunchy indie songs
Be Your Own Pet: Mommy review – teen punks’ return is inventive and itchy with anger
(Third Man)The Nashville band split in 2008 but have come back tighter, more explicit and raging about the realities of adulthood
Boygenius review – Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus meet hysteria with humour
The US supergroup have legions of fans swooning – literally – as they crown a summer of female cultural-dominance with an epic outdoor show
Girl Ray: Prestige review – indie trio head back to the disco
Blending new wave and hi-NRG influences, Prestige plays as a fun-loving homage to the queer dance-pop culture of 1970s and 80s New York
Mac DeMarco review – an atypical celebration of an atypical album
Moving on from his sad-clown antics with a beguiling set of instrumentals and fan faves, strung together by Tom Waitsy banter, DeMarco is a magnetic performer
Blur: The Ballad of Darren review – middle-age regrets voiced in gorgeous tunes
Nostalgic melancholy fills Blur’s ninth studio release, a courageous album that shows the band have something germane to say about getting old
PJ Harvey: I Inside the Old Year Dying review – challenging yet fascinating
The singer-songwriter’s 10th album, based on her 2022 verse novel, isn’t her most accessible, but there are standout moments
Pulp review – a triumphant, full-tilt return from Jarvis Cocker and co
A hit-heavy set reminds us how the Sheffield masters earned their place in British pop culture – with plenty of sleaze and sonic adventure thrown in
Anohni and the Johnsons: My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross review – intense emotion and captivating soul
The New York singer’s voice will make you shiver as it soars over simple guitar, bass and drums on her most approachable album since the mid-00s
Jamie T review – rollicking homecoming for indie journeyman
The singer-songwriter’s kitchen-sink vignettes and pint-sloshing anthems defined 00s indie mischief. Almost 20 years on he shows that none of that lairy charm has worn off
Japanese Breakfast review – a two-way high-wire act
Korean-American songwriter – and bestselling author – Michelle Zauner revels in an expansive set of dreampop and electronica laced with heartbreak and joy