Since venting all his mature and folky instincts on 2011’s solo LP Demolished Thoughts, Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore has not only U-turned into rockier territory but also made tentative steps into the uncharted world of proper-mega-heavy-shit.

Whether hailed as the godfathers of a new generation of rock ‘n’ roll rebels (you know, because of the peeing, nudity, fighting, drugs, and general chaos) or dismissed as talentless fuckups (you know, because these songs ain’t rocket science), Black Lips have never lacked in their ability to draw a second look during their long, head-scratchingly successful career.

The third full-length recording by Adam Granduciel and company picks up where 2011’s Slave Ambient left off, finding a remarkably confident band capable of grand anthems without losing the subtler touches that separate them from lesser bands.

There’s a pleasing raucousness in Manchester all-female four-piece PINS that many will miss on their first listen of Girls Like Us, their self-produced debut release, recorded in just a single week.

“A modern folk artist in the purest sense,” is how Linda Perhacs was described in High Fidelity’s review of her most recent album…44 years ago.

Dean Wareham‘s debut solo recording—last year’s majestic mini-album/EP Emancipated Hearts—brought out the softer side in the former frontman of both Galaxie 500 and Luna. Emotive, fragile, and soaked in haunting melody, the EP’s collection of faint lullabies was one of 2013’s most understated and beautiful releases.

Under the direction of frontman and lead songwriter Joseph Mount, the last few years have seen Metronomy hone themselves into Britain’s most unique and forward-thinking pop group.

Silent Treatment is the international debut full-length from Oslo five-piece Highasakite. It follows a couple of Norwegian releases and 2012’s excellent In and Out of Weeks EP, the latter of which includes the band’s majestic, soaring pop song “Indian Summer.”

If guitar bands are finished, no one bothered to tell the band Eagulls. Eagulls, their debut album after forming in 2009, is built to make damn sure someone will be paying attention.