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16 January 2021

Here's how it works: The Recent Releases chart brings together critical reaction to new albums from more than 50 sources worldwide. It's updated daily. Albums qualify with 5 reviews, and drop out after 6 weeks into the longer timespan charts.

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New

Viagra BoysWelfare Jazz

Northern Transmissions reckon that their 2nd LP from the Stockholm post-punk six-piece have "made a huge stride". Exclaim say it's "a massive shift from previous releases, both musically and lyrically"

New

ShameDrunk Tank Pink

"Encapsulates a queasy snapshot of life, where uncertainty and anxiety hang in the air with a foreboding menace." Northern Transmissions take on the 2nd LP from the Brixton-based indie rock quintet

Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

BENEEHey u x

DIY reckon the the New Zealand alt pop artist Stella Rose Bennett is "on to a winner" with her debut album while Vinyl Chapters say it's "a confident and versatile record that BENEE should be proud of"

Oneohtrix Point NeverMagic Oneohtrix Point Never

"By tuning in to his past, Lopatin shares something special with his audience" - All Music's take on the 10th LP from the Massachusetts-born experimental electronica producer

Future IslandsAs Long As You Are

"A band who finally found what they are looking for" - Loud And Quiet's take on the 6th LP from the synthpop group. The Line Of Best Fit say it's "a collection of taught electro-pop numbers graced with poetic flair"

Matt BerningerSerpentine Prison

Record Collector describe the debut solo album from The National's frontman as "a stunning record" while Northern Transmissions say it's "stark, weirdly comforting, bruised and beautiful"

Fleet FoxesShore

music OMH reckon the 4th LP from the Seattle indie folk group is "a glorious, life-affirming collection of songs". Pitchfork say it's "another musically adventurous album that is warm and newly full of grace"

THE CHART: THE TOP RATED NEW ALBUMS

The ADM rating is a weighted average from our survey of more than 50 sources , taking into account the number of reviews

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8.2
ADM Rating

Steve Earle & The Dukes

J.T.

The latest release from the alt.country singer songwriter features songs by his late son Justin Townes Earle who passed away in August 2020

Added: 06/01/2021
8.0

The Avalanches

We Will Always Love You

Third album from the Melbourne plunderphonics duo, and second in four years following their 2000 debut, features several collaborators including Blood Orange, Tricky, Leon Bridges, Johnny Marr, MGMT, Neneh Cherry, Jamie xx, Karen O, Kurt Vile and Mick Jones

Added: 09/12/2020
8.0

Taylor Swift

Evermore

Second surprise release of 2020 from the singer-songwriter with contributions from Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner, Haim, The National and Justin Vernon

Added: 11/12/2020
7.8

Sleaford Mods

Spare Ribs

Eleventh studio album from the Nottingham-based post-punk duo Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn

Added: 12/01/2021
7.8

Kacy & Clayton

Plastic Bouquet

Collaboration between Canadian duo Kacy & Clayton and New Zealand singer-songwriter Marlon Williams recorded in 2019 in Saskatoon, Canada

Added: 14/12/2020
7.7

Viagra Boys

Welfare Jazz

Second album from the Stockholm post-punk six-piece

Added: 07/01/2021
7.7

Jazmine Sullivan

Heaux Tales

Latest release from the Philadelphia R&B / soul singer includes contributions from Ari Lennox, Anderson .Paak and H.E.R

Added: 13/01/2021
7.6

Shame

Drunk Tank Pink

Second album of guitar-based indie rock from the Brixton-based quintet produced by James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, Foals, Florence and the Machine, Depeche Mode)

Added: 12/01/2021
7.6

Paul McCartney

McCartney III

Eighteenth solo album from the music legend, where he plays all instruments, is self-recorded and produced during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown

Added: 11/12/2020
7.2

Joan Of Arc

Tim Melina Theo Bobby

Final album from the Chicago indie rock band after more than 20 releases since forming in 1995

Added: 08/12/2021
7.1

The Dirty Nil

Fuck Art

Third full-length album from the Ontario alt.rock trio by produced by John Goodmanson (Bikini Kill, Death Cab for Cutie, Los Campesinos!, Sleater-Kinney)

Added: 08/01/2021
7.1

Barry Gibb

Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers Songbook Vol. 1

Third solo release from the Bee Gees man is a covers album of their songs from the likes of Dolly Parton, Jason Isbell and Gillian Welch, produced by Dave Cobb (Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, John Prine)

Added: 08/01/2021
6.9

Kid Cudi

Man On The Moon III: The Chosen

Third and final installment of the Cleveland, Ohio rapper's trilogy with guest appearances from Pop Smoke, Skepta, Phoebe Bridgers and Trippie Redd

Added: 15/12/2020
6.6

M. Ward

Think Of Spring

Eleventh album, and second of 2020, from the Californian indie/folk singer-songwriter is a Billie Holiday covers album

Added: 10/12/2020
6.4

Playboi Carti

Whole Lotta Red

Second album from the Atlanta rapper Jordan Terrell Carter, with guests including Future, Kanye West and Kid Cudi

Added: 08/01/2021
5.9

Shawn Mendes

Wonder

Fourth full-length album from the Canadian singer-songwriter includes a duet with Justin Bieber

Added: 07/12/2020
5.4

Eminem

Music To Be Murdered By Side B

Surprise release of 2020 from the Detroit rapper is produced by Dr Dre and includes guest from Skylar Grey, DJ Premier, Ty Dolla Sign, Black Thought, Q-Tip, Juice Wrld and Ed Sheeran

Added: 24/12/2020

Latest Reviews

Shame Drunk Tank Pink

Shame have put together a collection of fantastically varied ragers that are bound to blow the roof off whenever we’re allowed back to live gigs The Line Of Best Fit

Shame Drunk Tank Pink

The London band’s second album combines themes of burnout and ennui with fast rhythms The FT

Sleaford Mods Spare Ribs

Cummings and Covid are two of the subjects touched on by the Nottingham duo as they exhibit an evolving style The FT

More reviews

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It's the annual ADM Poll of Polls, our roundup of the critics' end-of-year best albums lists

Taylor SwiftEvermore
NME describe the second LPof 2020 from the singer-songwriter as "a beacon of hope" as she "pushes the boundaries of her indie reinvention". music OMH say it's "Folklore’s wiser, potentially more chaotic, sister"

Paul McCartneyMcCartney III
"A stellar return to his three-decade-spanning series" - NME's take on the 18th solo from the music legend while The Guardian describe it as "affectingly personal and hugely enjoyable"

Rico NastyNightmare Vacation
"It will chew you up and spit you out, and you’ll love every minute of it" - DIY's verdict on the debut from the Maryland-born rapper. Clash describe is as "combative, empowering and unashamedly fun"

FlohioNo Panic No Pain
"Rap has been screaming for an artist like this for years" - Clash's take on this Mixtape from the South London rapper Funmi Ohiosumah. Gigwise say that "from rage to thankfulness, Flohio really does have flow"

Billie Joe ArmstrongNo Fun Mondays
Clash say that this album of cover versions from the Green Day frontman is "a reminder that Billie Joe Armstrong’s fusion of punk and pop has always come from a profoundly genuine place"

All-time top 10

Since we've been around, that is. So, the highest-rated albums from the past eight years or so. Rankings are calculated to two decimal places.

See full list