Any decent music? We review the reviews. You get the final word

Hello

10 December 2018

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.

Just in

New albums just added

Unlisted recent releases

Follow us on

Source list

View top rated by publication

Specialist Genres

Browse specific styles

New

Daniel KnoxChasescene

Loud And Quiet say the fourth full-length from the Chicago-based singer-songwriter is "an album to be treasured". TLoBF reckon "Chasescene will delight existing fans and lure in fresh blood with equal measure"

New

Earl SweatshirtSome Rap Songs

Pitchfork say that with his third full-length album the LA-based rapper "blurs the line between avant-garde jazz and hip-hop" while NME describe it as "dense, experimental and deeply fascinating"

New

Meek MillChampionships

Clash reckon the third full-length release from LA-based rapper is "his best album to date" while Pitchfork say it "captures an intensity that the Philadelphia rapper is known for and best at"

Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

Anderson .PaakOxnard

"The only way is up for restless rapper" - NME's verdict on the third full-length studio release from the Southern Californian rapper while Gig Soup reckon he's "one of the most interesting talents in modern music"

MuseSimulation Theory

"Successfully merging electronic-pop songcraft with their typically urgent, stadium rock foundation" - All Music's take on the 8th LP from the alt rockers. Q say they "have found a new way forward"

The Smashing PumpkinsShiny And Oh So Bright, Vol. 1: No Past. No Future. No Sun

The Line Of Best fit say the the first LP in 18 years to feature founding the members is "a comeback album of surprising clarity". Consequence Of Sound say they "find balance together"

J MascisElastic Days

The Arts Desk describe the songs on the fourth solo album from the Dinosaur Jr alt.rock mainman as "perfect pop structures" while Spectrum Culture say "an unmistakable prettiness penetrates the noise"

Vince StaplesFM!

Pitchfork say that with his third full-length album the Long Beach, California rapper "unleashes the complete personality of Vince Staples" while NME say it's "a compelling reminder that life isn’t always sunny"

Julia HolterAviary

"It's honest, it's hopeful, and it's surely among Holter's finest achievements " - Exclaim's verdict on the 5th LP from the singer-songwriter. Q say "it's not always easy, but it is frequently brilliant"

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

Customise your chart

5.7

Little Mix

LM5

Fifth full-length studio release by British pop group featuring guest appearances from Kamille, Nicki Minaj, and Sharaya J

Added: 16/11/2018
5.6

Muse

Simulation Theory

Eighth album from the Teignmouth alt rockers co-produced by the band with Rich Costey, Mike Elizondo, Shellback, and Timbaland

Added: 09/11/2018
5.5

Mumford & Sons

Delta

Fourth full-length studio release from the London alt-folk quartet produced by Paul Epworth

Added: 14/11/2018
4.8

Imagine Dragons

Origins

Fourth studio album from the Las Vegas pop rock four-piece

Added: 09/11/2018

Latest Reviews

Daniel Knox Chasescene

????The Chicago-native offers a collection of songs that shine and perplex, with lush arrangements and lyrics constantly on the edge of breaking Gig Soup

Daniel Knox Chasescene

If you wanted to make a Christmas song sound ominous, he’s your man God Is In The TV

Daniel Knox Chasescene

An album to be treasured Loud And Quiet

More reviews

Fresh stuff

A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships by The 1975

"A bombastic, immaculately put together portrait of modern life" - DIY's take on the third album from Manchester-based indie rock / pop quartet while DiS say "the band truly soar here when they break new sonic ground"

Alessia CaraAlessia Cara
Rolling Stone reckon that with her second album the Canadian Grammy-winning R&B/Pop singer "emerges as a bold new voice in young-adult angst". NME say it's "a winningly authentic second album"

Jeff TweedyWarm
The Skinny say the second solo album from the Wilco front man ""offers a welcome dose of head and heart at a time when both ought to be celebrated a little more" while Q think "every one is a gem"

Art BrutWham! Bang! Pow! Let's Rock Out!
"All three of those exclamation marks are entirely justified" - music OMH's take on the the latest from the indie-pop outfit. Clash describe it as "a fun, creative return"

Mariah CareyCaution
With her fifteenth studio album Clash describe the American pop artist as "an icon back at her best" while All Music describe it as "a measured and understated collection of slow and midtempo R&B ballads"

Mumford & SonsDelta
"Ultimately, these stadium-sized shout-outs bode well for Mumford and Sons’ future - Paste's take on the 4th LP form the British roots band. CoS say "radio-ready earworms that still challenge expectations"

The Good, The Bad & The QueenMerrie Land
The Irish Times say the second release from alt-rock supergroup is a "near-perfect second album" while Clash describe it as "a stirring reflection on a wounded nation"

Laura Jane Grace And The Devouring MothersBought To Rot
Punk News reckon this side project from the Against Me! singer/guitarist has delivered "something special" while The Guardian say "there are few like her"

boygeniusboygenius
NME describe the debut EP from Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus as "an astonishing record that leaves you yearning for more". PopMatters say it's "a powerful and moving collaboration"

Dead Can DanceDionysus
Exclaim say the 9th LP of avant-garde goth rock from Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry "sounds both ancient and contemporary at the same time" while Under The Radar say "they only get better with age"

Pistol AnniesInterstate Gospel
"A fully realized and resonant record that is their best to date" - All Music's take on the third album for the country trio while Exclaim say it's "a masterpiece that extends their already formidable gifts"

Marianne FaithfullNegative Capability
Clash describe album number twenty one by English singer-songwriter as "an incredible, searing, emotionally driven experience" while The Guardian say it's a "staggering meditation on ageing and death"

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