PJ Harvey: I Inside the Old Year Dying review – a disquieting escape into the wilds of Dorset
Enigmatic and occasionally disturbing, the songwriter adapts her own book of poetry into a rough-edged LP full of potency and atmosphere
Kurt Vile and the Violators review – solid gold stoner rock
Philadelphia’s psych-rock stalwart delivers warm tributes to friends, family and mentors during a many-layered evening of soothing conversational gems
RVG: Brain Worms review – delicious absurdity from one of our most underrated songwriters
With tracks about turning into a sea creature and going insane online, the Melbourne post-punk band captures a very contemporary existential crisis
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds: Council Skies review – not enough irresistible everyman anthems
The ex-Oasis man’s new album has hints of psychedelia and Easy Now is great but there aren’t enough big galumphing choruses to bellow into the night
Pulp review – reunited Britpop oddballs thrill a new generation
Ably led by the ultimate disco dad in Jarvis Cocker, mass sing-songs blended with darker moments to prove Pulp can still do reunions with panache
Water From Your Eyes: Everyone’s Crushed review – style-hopping indie duo find focus in chaos
Across seven years and several albums this band has been evolving its scattershot sonic collage, and here it feels like they’ve finally found their sound
Blur: The Narcissist review – a band finally at ease with themselves
The first single from upcoming album The Ballad of Darren chugs along to a motorik beat, rising to an anthemic chorus that seems to be reflecting on the band’s career path
SBT: Joan of All review – heartfelt but fizzling indie rock
One-time Smog collaborator Sarabeth Tucek returns after a decade away with a double album that works best when it’s spiky
Aldous Harding review – performative strangeness can’t hide great melodies
There’s an almost David Byrneish awkwardness to the singer’s self-presentation, but the tunes are straightforwardly winning
Bartees Strange review – guitar hero tuning up for the indie rock big time
The energetic US musician injects new life into the genre with effects-laden playing and an eclectic bunch of naggingly effective tunes
Blondshell: Blondshell review – an alt-rock star is born
Sabrina Teitelbaum writes her rage in various vivid shades, resulting in a coming of age album with PJ Harvey and Hole influences
Nina Nastasia review – a mettle-testing, memorable comeback
The American alt-folk singer returns after a 12-year hiatus to worshipful cheers, in a show that condenses her trauma into jagged bursts
Boygenius: The Record review – Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus blaze with feeling
The US indie-rock supergroup skewer the male ego on this magnificent meeting of harmonies and minds
Black Country, New Road: Live at Bush Hall review – magical resurgence by this odd little chamber orchestra
The six-piece’s first new material without frontman Isaac Wood, recorded over three nights in London, proves their malleability and resilience
Shana Cleveland: Manzanita review – a perfectly woven tapestry of musical delight
Baroque psychedelia mingles with west coast pop and gothic folk in this dazzling third solo album from the La Luz frontwoman