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4 August 2020

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

Madeline KenneySucker's Lunch

Beats Per Minute reckon that with her third album the Pacific Northwestern indie singer-songwriter "has never sounded more compelling". Exclaim say it's "a sweet composition of folksy synth-pop"

New

CreeperSex, Death and The Infinite Void

"Their most astonishing and liberating move yet" - DIY's take on the second album from the goth rock six-piece. Kerrang! say it's "a wonderful rollercoaster of a record"

New

Taylor SwiftFolklore

"Sad, beautiful, somewhat tragic, a little bit off the wall, but most of all it feels free" - music OMH's take on the 8th LP from the pop artist produced by Jack Antonoff and The National's Aaron Dessner

Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

JARV ISBeyond The Pale

Clash say the debut album from Jarvis Cocker's new band is "a triumph" and Northern Transmission say it's "a wonderful addition to Cocker’s entire musical oeuvre". DIY say he's "an absolute one-of-a-kind"

ProtomartyrUltimate Success Today

The Line Of Best Fit reckon the 5th LP from the Detroit post-punk quartet "has the power of an exorcism" while Gigwise say it is "an emotional rollercoaster of a record, but one that is well and truly worth riding"

Crack CloudPain Olympics

Loud And Quiet describe the debut from the Vancouver art-rock multimedia collective as "an unearthly garden of delights". Gigwise say it's "an existential, genre-defying examination of the human condition"

HaimWomen In Music Pt. III

"It's somehow punky, vulnerable and soothing – and a thing of great beauty" - NME's take on the third album from the LA pop rock trio while Q describe it as "zeitgeist-friendly" and "genre-hopping"

Julianna BarwickHealing Is A Miracle

"Her most soothing and assuaging set of songs to date" - music OMH's take on the 4th LP from the Brooklyn-based vocalist and producer while No Ripcord say it's "an entrancing album from start to finish"

Phoebe BridgersPunisher

"Almost every single moment on this album is exquisitely thrilling" - The Arts Desk's take on the second album from the LA indie rock singer-songwriter while Q say it's "a masterpiece in mood setting"

Lady GagaChromatica

"Gaga is back, with her bangers intact" - music OMH's take on the sixth studio album the New York pop singer while The Irish Times reckon "a star is reborn in this return to fully fledged pop"

MuzzMuzz

"A bold and surprising statement of purpose and intent" - Clash's take on this debut from the indie rock super-group. The Line Of Best Fit say "they’re masters of their craft on a spacious and cinematic debut"

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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7.4

Courtney Marie Andrews

Old Flowers

Latest full-length release from the Phoenix, Arizona indie-folk singer-songwriter

Added: 23/07/2020
7.3

The Pretenders

Hate for Sale

Eleventh studio album from Chrissie Hynde's band produced by Stephen Street (The Smiths, Kaiser Chiefs, The Courteeners)

Added: 17/07/2020
7.3

NZCA Lines

Pure Luxury

The third album of synth pop from Michael Lovett featuring guest appearances from Sarah Jones of Hot Chip and Amber Strother of King

Added: 08/07/2020
7.2

Dream Wife

So When You Gonna...

Second album of angular indie-pop from the London-based trio

Added: 01/07/2020
7.2

Ray LaMontagne

Monovision

The eighth full-length self-produced album from the New Hampshire-born singer-songwriter

Added: 07/07/2020
7.2

Brandy

B7

Seventh album, and first in eight years. from the R&B singer featuring guest appearances from Daniel Caesar, Chance The Rapper and daughter Sy'rai

Added: 04/08/2020
7.2

Romare

Home

Third album of sample-based electronica from Archie Fairhurst recorder after moving to the English countryside and starting a family

Added: 01/08/2020
7.2

Neck Deep

All Distortions Are Intentional

Fourth album from the Welsh pop punk band produced by Matt Squire (Panic! at the Disco, Sum 41, Good Charlotte)

Added: 27/07/2020
7.2

Denai Moore

Modern Dread

Third album from the British-Jamaican soul/R&B singer

Added: 06/07/2020
7.2

Madeline Kenney

Sucker's Lunch

Third album from the Pacific Northwestern indie singer-songwriter produced by Wye Oak's Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack

Added: 01/08/2020
7.2

Juice WRLD

Legends Never Die

Posthumous release for the third album from rapper Jarad Higgins includes guest appearances from Halsey, Marshmello, Polo G, The Kid Laro

Added: 16/07/2020
7.1

The Psychedelic Furs

Made Of Rain

First album from the London post-punk band since 1991's World Outside produced by Guns N' Roses guitarist Richard Fortus

Added: 29/07/2020
7.1

Silverbacks

Fad

Debut album from the Dublin-based art-rock five-piece produced by Girl Band’s Daniel Fox

Added: 14/07/2020
7.1

My Morning Jacket

The Waterfal II

Eighth album of psychedelic indie rock from the Kentucky veterans consists of tracks from the same recording sessions as The Waterfall (2105)

Added: 14/07/2020
7.1

Bing & Ruth

Species

Fourth album from the Brooklyn-based minimalist/ambient project led by pianist David Moore

Added: 21/07/2020
6.9

DMA’s

The Glow

Third album from the Sydney alt. rock trio produced by Stuart Price (The Killers, Everything Everything, Brandon Flowers)

Added: 09/07/2020
6.9

Willie Nelson

First Rose Of Spring

Album number seventy from the country legend produced by Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney, Merle Haggard, George Jones)

Added: 03/07/2020
6.9

The Streets

None Of Us Are Getting Out Of This Life Alive

Sixth album of hip-hop / garage from Birmingham-born rapper Mike Skinner and his first release for nine years

Added: 09/07/2020
6.8

Alanis Morissette

Such Pretty Forks In The Road

Ninth album and first in eight years from the Ottawa-born singer-songwriter produced by Alex Hope (Tegan and Sara, Troye Sivan) and Catherine Marks (Local Natives, The Big Moon)

Added: 31/07/2020
6.7

Ellie Goulding

Brightest Blue

Fourth studio album from the British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist featuring guest vocals from Blackbear, Diplo, Juice Wrld, Lauv, serpentwithfeet and Swae Lee

Added: 16/07/2020
6.6

Hockey Dad

Brain Candy

Third album from Australian surf-rock duo Zach Stephenson and Billy Fleming

Added: 01/08/2020
6.5

Henry Green

Half Light

Second album from the Bristol-based producer recorded in a Wiltshire village

Added: 07/07/2020
6.4

Pop Smoke

Shoot For The Stars, Aim For The Moon

Posthumous debut full-length album from the rapper following his death in February 2020 includes guest appearances from 50 Cent, DaBaby, Future, Karol G, King Combs and Lil Baby

Added: 07/07/2020
5.9

Remo Drive

A Portrait Of An Ugly Man

Third album from the Minnesota indie rock band produced by lead singer Erik Paulson

Added: 07/07/2020

Latest Reviews

Land Of Talk Indistinct Conversations

Low-key emotional intensity abounds in Elizabeth Powell’s stark, sketch-like reveries, and the new album’s few-frills production exposes just how gut-wrenching their songwriting can be Pitchfork

Land Of Talk Indistinct Conversations

These subtle but confident, sneakily catchy songs reaffirm that Land of Talk is as relevant to the singer/songwriter movement of the 2010s and 2020s as they were to the noisy indie rock scene of the 2000s when they first emerged All Music

Land Of Talk Indistinct Conversations

Indistinct Conversations doesn't so much pare back as it does reveal depths: Powell's putting their inner life on display, and giving it the full range of space and volume it deserves Exclaim

More reviews

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Fresh stuff

A Heros Death by Fontaines DC

"Fontaines D.C. intend to become one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and they don’t mind doing it the hard way" The Independent's take on the second album from the Dublin-based post-punk quintet

Jessy LanzaAll The Time
Clash say the third release of alternative synth pop from the Canadian is "a radiant and eminently danceable album" while All Music reckon her "post-disco R&B inspirations have never been so pronounced"

Lianne La HavasLianne La Havas
"In short, every song is an earworm" - music OMH's verdict on the 3rd LP from the English soul singer working while Albumism say "everything is delicately and artfully balanced"

The ChicksGaslighter
PopMatters reckon the first new studio album in 14 years from the country trio is "bold and incendiary". Consequence Of Sound say they "bring a lush new sound that ventures further into the pop realm"

Rufus WainwrightUnfollow The Rules
"A timely reminder of everything that’s wonderful about Wainwright" - Clash's take on the tenth album from the Canadian baroque pop singer-songwriter while music OMH say "this is a quality record"

The StreetsNone Of Us Are Getting Out Of This Life Alive
"Top corner, back of the net" - DIY's verdict on the 6th LP from Birmingham rapper Mike Skinner while NME say "it’s good to have him back – and all of his mates, too"

Margo PriceThat's How Rumors Get Started
The Line Of Best Fit say that with her 3rd LP the singer-songwriter "breaks free from the shackles of country music". Exclaim think it's "one of the year's strongest country releases"

ArcaKiCk i
Loud And Quiet describe the 4th LP from London-based electronic producer Alejandra Ghersi as "a glorious expression of life". All Music say it's "a complete, and triumphant, portrait of Arca's artistry"

CorikyCoriky
"A bracing blast of moral, melodic US punk" - The Observer's take on the debut from the band featuring members of Fugazi, The Evens and Minor Threat while Mojo say "Fugazi's signature edge duly emerges"

BdrmmBdrmm
NME reckon the first album from the Hull, UK-based band is "a modern shoegaze classic" while The Line Of Best Fit say it's "an assured and brilliant debut"

KhruangbinMordechai
"A thrilling concoction that sounds otherworldly, eternally infectious and upbeat" - The Music's take on the 3rd LP from the Texan trio while Clash say "‘Moredechai’ is this summer’s sunset record"

Nadine ShahKitchen Sink
The Line Of Best Fit say the fourth album from the South Tyneside singer-songwriter is her "strongest effort to date" and is "filled with brooding intensity". Clash say it's "a fantastic return driven by ruthless honesty"

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