This week brings new releases from both well established and upcoming artists. Despite it being the beginning of spring, across all tracks darkness certainly prevails, writes Amy Matthews

Nick Jeyarajah looks back on John Lennon’s solo debut, a painful and raw record that establishes a new identity for the former Beatle

Is pop punk dead? Meg Roberts takes a trip down memory lane at the State Champs’ gig

÷ is vintage Sheeran, but isn’t all that the charts make it out to be, writes William Bain

The Shins’ latest record will be a welcome return for their dearest fans, but others will find another record to add to the backend of a summer Spotify playlist, Christian Hurry writes

The Hindu festival of colours is celebrated from India to Platt Fields Park. Charlotte Ridout recommends five rainbow records for this occasion

Snoop Dogg gets political in this week’s rundown, writes Ben Lomax

Subtly finetuning their sound, Real Estate have delivered a poignant and succinct album that expertly blends sunny guitars with contemplative lyricism

Despite an uncertain start, Mitski pulls another powerful performance out of the bag

Punch Records ran an empowering and dynamic all-female panel to discuss what it means to be a woman in the music industry in celebration of International Women’s Day

A punky reggae party is just what the doctor ordered in 2017, with The Wailers bringing classic Jamaican fun to rainy Manchester in an entertaining night at The Academy, writes Alex Corns

Fun Lovin’ Criminals delivered with a high-energy, thrilling performance at Manchester’s Albert Hall, writes Sophie Billington

The xx’s flowing melodies, succinct beats and incredible tightness in live performances make them one of the best British acts of current times, writes Will Bain

New York indie rock three-piece Highly Suspect arrive in Manchester, but noise level doesn’t always equal entertainment, writes Alex Corns

The world’s only Elvis-fronted tribute to Nirvana is a glorious mongrel that works better than it should, writes Oscar Talbot

The indiepop legends return with an album that falls short of their past brilliance, writes Jacob Nicholas

Highly inaccessible and staggeringly audacious, Sun Kil Moon’s new album can be a rich and rewarding listening experience in parts (providing you’re still awake when they come round)

Eddy Thrower, drummer from Lower Than Atlantis, discusses the band’s new direction in their latest album release

On his first solo venture, the Antlers frontman strips his distinguished sound down to gorgeous melodies and stark guitar

While the dancefloor thankfully stays murder-less, Sophie Ellis-Bextor still takes care not to kill the groove, writes Lewis Thomas-Hargreaves