Kept simple. These are the albums we’ve been rating released in the past four weeks. From veteran shoe-gazers who seemed unlikely ever make any more music at all (Slowdive) right through to a debut album from a bass-wielding electronic duo who barely existed 12 months ago (Kite Base). It’s a varied lot. Enjoy listening.

Artist: Aldous Harding
Title: Party
Label: 4AD
What is it? The New Zealand’s second album is a – ahem – party soundtrack of brooding gothic folk.
L&Q says: “A talent at the very start of her creative life.”
Read Susan Darlington’s full review

Artist: Kite Base
Title: Latent Whispers
Label: Little Something
What is it? The debut album from two bass players – Kendra Frost and Ayse Hassan of Savages.
L&Q says: “It’s the soundtrack to the post-apocalypse; it’s music swathed in darkness.”
Read Chris Watkeys’ full review

Artist: Jane Weaver
Title: Modern Kosmology
Label: Fire
What is it? The sixth album from Manchester’s most cosmic folk singer, who doesn’t make folk music.
L&Q says: “Songs melt into one another, merging from breathless prog grooves to aching balladry and back again.”
Read Stephen Butchard’s full review

Artist: Slowdive
Title: Slowdive
Label: Dead Oceans
What is it? The cult Reading band’s first album in 22 years.
L&Q says: “It doesn’t feel like an afterthought to keep the money train of touring rolling on but instead a genuinely new statement of expression and artistic intent”
Read Daniel Dylan Wray’s full review

Artist: Ho99o9
Title: United States of Horror
Label: Toys Have Powers
What is it? The debut noise/rap/punk album from a New Jersey duo who like to get naked.
L&Q says: “The group are at their most potent, effective and progressive when in rap mode.”
Read Daniel Dylan Wray’s full review

Artist: Joan Shelley
Title: Joan Shelley
Label: No Quater
What is it? The Kentucky singer-songwriter’s fifth (and best) album.
L&Q says: “Quite how Shelley discovered the gorgeous chorus for ‘Where I’ll Find You’ seems like an impossible magic trick.”
Read Sam Walton’s full review

Artist: Forest Swords
Title: Compassion
Label: Ninja Tune
What is it? Matthew Barnes’ new electronic album that perfectly encapsulates what it is to be alive in these silly times.
L&Q says: “A complex slow-show that owes as much to hope as it does to just hanging in there.”
Read Forest Sword’s full review