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14 December 2019

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

Harry StylesFine Line

"A compelling document of an artist coming to life" - DIY's verdict on the second solo album from the LA-based former One Direction singer. The Independent say it has "copious charm and flickers of ingenuity"

New

The Comet Is ComingThe Afterlife

"One of 2019’s best" - The Observer's verdict on the third album and second of the year from the London-based jazz trio while Pitchfork describe it as "an electrifying, apocalyptic sound"

Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

The WhoWHO

NME reckon that with their 12th LP, and first for 13 years, the legendary British rock band "have lost none of their vim and vigour". Clash say "if this is their last hurrah, it's surely a fitting one"

Kanye WestJesus Is King

"It isn’t entertaining in the slightest" - The Line Of Best Fit's take on the 9th LP from the rapper while CoS describe it as "twenty-seven minutes of cliches, half-finished thoughts, and vaguely religious gesturing"

Mount EerieLost Wisdom pt. 2

"An extraordinarily rewarding listen" - Consequence Of Sound's take on the tenth album from Phil Elverum and second collaboration with Canadian singer-songwriter Julie Doiran

UnderworldDRIFT Series 1

The Observer describe this six disc set from the electronic duo Karl Hyde and Rick Smith as "a year’s worth of inspiration". The Arts Desk reckon it's "far more than a nostalgic re-tread of past glories"

A Winged Victory For The SullenThe Undivided Five

"An album of exquisite tenderness" - The 405's take on the 5th LP from the ambient duo. The Irish Times say "threads between life and death never sounded so beautiful"

William DoyleYour Wilderness Revisited

The Line Of Best Fit say the latest release from East India Youth man is "a dazzlingly beautiful triumph of intention" while DIY describe it as "a heady blend that’s easy to get lost in"

FoalsEverything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 2

Clash reckon the 6th LP and the second half of this project from the rock quartet is their "most accomplished body of work to date". NME say it's "indisputable proof of their greatness"

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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6.2

Celine Dion

Courage

Twelfth English language album from the Canadian pop singer featuring contributions from David Guetta, Greg Kurstin, Sia, Sam Smith and Björn Yttling

Added: 16/11/2019
6.1

Camila Cabello

Romance

Second solo album from the Cuban-born pop singer and former Fifth Harmony singer

Added: 07/12/2019
5.3

Brooke Candy

SEXORCISM

Debut full-length album from the Los Angeles-based rapper includes guest appearances from Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX

Added: 04/11/2019
4.4

Liam Payne

LP1

Debut solo album from the former One Direction singer

Added: 06/12/2019

Latest Reviews

Stormzy Heavy Is the Head

Like life itself, there’s flashes of humour, love, heartbreak, politics, fun, vulnerability and identity DIY

Stormzy Heavy Is the Head

‘Heavy is the Head’ absolutely hits it out of the park. It’s the same winning mix of grime bangers and radio friendly singing as last time, but, crucially, it’s better at making sure they work together on the same project Clash

Harry Styles Fine Line

Harry Styles hides himself inside of a mystic pop-rock record that keeps us away from who he is as a songwriter and fledgling rock star Pitchfork

More reviews

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Fresh stuff

Everyday-Life by Coldplay

The Line Of Best Fit suggest that with their 8th LP the British alternative rock band "continue to grow" while Uncut say it's "intriguingly diverse". The Irish Times say the "double album is just twice as frustrating"

William Patrick CorganCotillions
"It impresses, and in some places, it shines" - Clash's take on the 3rd solo LP from Smashing Pumpkins frontman. Pitchfork say it contains "the lightest, breeziest songs of his career"

Jack PeñateAfter You
"Marks an ambitious return for the long-absent musician" - All Music's take on the third album from the London indie singer-songwriter. DIY say it's "an electric span of ideas that flit from one to the other"

Hannah DiamondReflections
"She is a new kind of star, an artistic voice that stands out in the tumult of the modern musical world" - The Line Of Best Fit's take on the debut full-length release from the singer and visual artist

Kele2042
NME reckon the 4th solo LP from the Bloc Party frontman is his "most ambitious work to date" while Q describe it as "vital, exciting stuff". Evening Standard say is "has its superb moments, but also its frustrations"

Omar SouleymanShlon
Gigwise describe the latest release from the Syrian musician as "lovelorn dabke dance music without compromise" while Mojo say it's "another hip-rolling, dabke masterclass"

BeckHyperspace
"That ‘Hyperspace’ is quite so seamless in its execution is an utter joy" - DIY's take on the 14th LP from the art pop singer-songwriter while The Observer reckon it's " a bleak, spacey R&B tour de force"

Leonard CohenThanks For The Dance
"It’s a shot of poetic light and a reminder that Cohen’s art lives on" - The Music's take on this posthumous album from the singer-songwriter's final session while Paste say "Cohen’s voice remains indispensable"

TindersticksNo Treasure But Hope
music OMH say album number twelve from the Nottingham indie rock / chamber pop outfit is "Amongst the strongest" they've released. Mojo say it's "Further refinement of what they've been doing in the past"

Bonnie ‘Prince’ BillyI Made A Place
Record Collector describe the latest LP from the lo-fi alt.folk singer-songwriter Will Oldham as "thoughtful, beautiful fare". The Skinny say it's "a typically idiosyncratic, at-times aggressively upbeat, collection"

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