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15 May 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

Sons of KemetBlack To The Future

"A revelatory set, one that will remain relevant for some time" - Gigwise's take on the 4th LP from the London jazz group. Record Collector say it's "compelling proof that British jazz is leading the way right now"

New

Paul WellerFat Pop (Volume 1)

"He may not be the angry young man of the past, but his fire is still burning bright" - musicOMH's verdict on solo album No16 from the veteran artist while NME say "he's an inspired and eclectic as ever"

New

IceageSeek Shelter

"Post-punk with Britpop characteristics" - Gigwise's take on the 5th LP from the Danish quartet. Northern Transmissions say it's "some of the strongest and frankly impressive songwriting of their career"

Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

Dinosaur JrSweep It Into Space

Gigwise reckon that with their twelfth album the J Mascis-led Massachusetts alt/indie rock stalwarts are "as unstoppable as ever" while Clash suggest "cranking up loud and enjoying in the spring sunshine"

The ArmedULTRAPOP

"A beautiful storm, dense, monstrous, vital, and aching to break free" - Exclaim's take on the 4th LP from the Detroit hardcore punk collective. The Line Of Best Fit say it's "equally brutal and melodic"

The AntlersGreen To Gold

musicOHM describe the 6th LP from Peter Silberman as "a sumptuously crafted, warmly atmospheric and often beautiful work". DIY say "It feels like the opening of a new chapter, rather than the closing of the last one"

Lana Del ReyChemtrails Over The Country Club

The Independent reckon the latest from the New York-born singer-songwriter is "damn-near impossible to resist". Clash describe it as "an enchanting listen"

Arab StrapAs Days Get Dark

"Has an excellent claim to be the band's crowning achievement " - PopMatters take on the first new album in over 15 years from the Scottish indie rock duo. Uncut say it "feels vital rather than forced"

Jane WeaverFlock

The Arts Desk reckon the latest full-length album of dream pop from the Liverpool-born artist is her "most varied, most vigorous album to date". Under The Radar say it will "feature heavily in the end of year lists"

MogwaiAs The Love Continues

Clash say the tenth studio album from the Glaswegian post-rock band is "Mogwai at their best" while Record Collector reckon it's their "most evolved album in a decade"

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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7.1

Field Music

Flat White Moon

Eighth studio album from the Sunderland indie art rock outfit led by brothers David and Peter Brewis

Added: 22/04/2021
7.1

Dawn Richard

Second Line

Sixth album from the New Orleans electronic/R&B artist and former member of Danity Kane and Dirty Money

Added: 29/04/2021
7.1

AJ Tracey

Flu Game

Second studio album from London-born rapper Ché Wolton Grant includes guest appearances from Nav, Digga D, T-Pain, Kehlani and SahBabii

Added: 16/04/2021
7.0

Benny Sings

Music

Album number eight from the Dutch musician, songwriter, and producer Tim van Berkestijn

Added: 13/04/2021
7.0

BROCKHAMPTON

Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine

Sixth album from the Texan alternative hip hop group is the first of two to be released in 2021 before the split

Added: 09/04/2021
7.0

The Black Keys

Delta Kream

Tenth studio album from the Akron Ohio garage rock duo Dan Auerback and Patrick Carney is a cover album of hill country blues songs recorded over two afternoons

Added: 13/05/2021
7.0

Paul McCartney

McCartney III Imagined

An album of reinterpretations, remixes, and covers of songs from McCartney III (2020) includes Beck, St Vincent, Damon Albarn and Josh Homme

Added: 16/04/2021
6.9

Andy Stott

Never the Right Time

Album number six from the Manchester-based dub and techno producer

Added: 22/04/2021
6.8

Matthew E. White & Lonnie Holley

Broken Mirror: A Selfie Reflection

Collaboration between Virgia-based producer and founder of Spacebomb Records Matthew E. White and the Alabama experimental musician Holley

Added: 09/04/2021
6.6

Flyte

This Is Really Going To Hurt

Second album from the London indie-rock trio recorded in Los Angeles produced by Andro Sarlo (Big Thief, Bon Iver) and Justin Raisen (Angel Olsen)

Added: 09/04/2021
6.6

Cheap Trick

In Another World

Twentieth full-length studio album from the rock band was produced by Julian Raymond (Glen Canpbell, Hank Williams Jr, The Suicide Machines)

Added: 09/04/2021
6.3

Weezer

Van Weezer

Fiftenth studio album from the LA pop-rock band produced by Suzy Shinn (Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco) and dedicated to Eddie Van Halen

Added: 06/05/2021
6.3

Sufjan Stevens

Convocations

Ninth studio album from the Detroit-born indie folk singer-songwriter follows the death of his father in 2020 and consists of forty nine instrumental songs

Added: 11/05/2021
6.3

Rag'n'Bone Man

Life By Misadventure

Second studio album of bluesy pop from English singer-songwriter Rory Graham includes guest appearances from Drake, Jay-Z, Justin Bieber and Cardi B

Added: 06/05/2021
5.9

Ashley Monroe

Rosegold

Fifth studio album of neo-traditional country from the Knoxville-born singer-songwriter

Added: 04/05/2021
5.9

Greta Van Fleet

The Battle at Garden's Gate

Second studio album by Michigan rock quartet produced by Greg Kurstin (Adele, Foo Fighters, Paul McCartney, CHVRCHES)

Added: 15/04/2021
5.7

Lil Yachty

Michigan Boy Boat

Mixtape from the Atlanta rapper Miles Parks McColluma featuring Sada Baby and Rio da Yung OG

Added: 30/04/2021
5.0

Van Morrison

Latest Record Project Volume I

42nd full-length album from the legendary Irish singer is a 28-track double

Added: 07/05/2021
5.0

The Offspring

Let The Bad Times Roll

Tenth studio album and first since 2012 from the Southern California punk band led by Dexter Holland and produced by Bob Rock (Metallica, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Bryan Adams)

Added: 15/04/2021

Latest Reviews

Sons of Kemet Black To The Future

Musically and culturally, Sons of Kemet not only holistically conceive of a future, they begin to create one right now All Music

Paul Weller Fat Pop (Volume 1)

Weller may often be adventurous, particularly during the third act inaugurated with 2008's 22 Dreams, yet he rarely seems as loose and playful as he does here, and that sense of mischief is an unexpected and welcome gift All Music

The Black Keys Delta Kream

Laconic and acidly textured, Delta Kream is a perfect balance of the Black Keys' lo-fi swagger and keen ear for the Mississippi blues traditions that inspired it All Music

More reviews

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Fresh stuff

Endless Arcade by Teenage Fanclub

"More than holds its own against the lofty peaks scaled earlier in their career" - musicOMH's take on the 11th LP from the veteran Scottish alt-rockers. Record Collector say it's "a brave record by a brave band"

SquidBright Green Field
The Line Of Best Fit reckon that with their debut full-length the Brighton post-punk "the five-piece have created something incredibly special" while Gigwise describe it as "nothing short of immaculate"

Girl In RedIf I Can Make It Go Quiet
The Line Of Best Fit say the debut full-length album from the Norwegian indie pop artist Marie Ulven cements her "as a dynamic indie pop force" while DIY say her "charm lies in her wide-eyed excitability"

Manchester OrchestraThe Million Masks Of God
"Their most cinematic and heartfelt record to date" - The Line Of Best Fit's take on the 6th LP from the alt.rock band. CoS say it's "another stunning slice of symphonic indie rock and folk"

The CoralCoral Island
"An extraordinary double album that staggers with its consistency" - Clash's take on the tenth release from the Merseyside indie rock five-piece. NME say it "features their most adventurous writing so far"

Field MusicFlat White Moon
"An inventive, original and impressive project from a band who hasn’t yet found a boundary they can’t expand" - American Songwriter's take on the 8th LP from the Sunderland art rock outfit

London GrammarCalifornian Soil
"A significant step forward in the trio's artistic maturation" - All Music's take on the 3rd LP from the Nottingham dream pop trio while NME say they are "fresher, revitalised and more confident than ever"

Taylor SwiftFearless (Taylor’s Version)
"A timely reminder of some of the best pop songs committed to record" - The Independent's take on this re-recording of the pop artist's 2008 LP. The Line Of Best Fit say she "reclaims her pivotal moment"

Spirit Of The BeehiveENTERTAINMENT, DEATH
"Their oblique songs can evoke an entire landscape of feeling in very few words" - Pitchfork's take on the 4th LP from the psych rock trio. Paste describe it as "strangely surreal collages that are freakishly beautiful"

Godspeed You! Black EmperorG_ds Pee AT STATES END!
NME say the 7th LP from the post-rock band is a "slab of noise that gives way to moments of pristine beauty". The Skinny say it's "a perfect soundtrack for these strange times"

Dry CleaningNew Long Leg
"The perfect taste of life after lockdown" - Gigwise's take on the debut album from the London post-punk quartet while Clash say "it takes chances other groups could scarcely envisage"

Flock of DimesHead Of Roses
Under The Radar reckon the second solo album from Wye Oak's Jenn Wasner is her "most personal reflections, which makes it the one to treasure most". Uncut say it's "creatively bold and ambitious"

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