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17 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.

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New

Aidan Moffat & RM HubbertGhost Stories For Christmas

"A refreshingly dark take on a tired format" - Q's take on the 2nd LP from Aidan Moffat & RM Hubbert. The Skinny say it's "a sobering and intoxicating Christmas album"

New

Vera SolaShades

The Line Of Best Fit suggest that with her debut the singer-songwriter "establishes herself as a unique talent". Mojo think you should be "prepare to be entranced" while Uncut reckon "there's much to admire"

New

IndiPrecipice

DiS describe the debut from the NZ-born, Berlin-based artist Indira Force as "a beautiful and unconventional album" while Loud And Quiet say it "combines sparse atmospherics with rousing chamber pop"

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

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Latest Reviews

Anderson .Paak Oxnard

May his lyrical eye mature to match his musical vision next time out. Print edition only Mojo

Vince Staples FM!

The breeziness is deceptive. Print edition only Mojo

Aidan Moffat & RM Hubbert Ghost Stories For Christmas

Aidan Moffat and RM Hubbert enter the festive fray on formidable form with a sobering and intoxicating Christmas album The Skinny

Fresh stuff

Fresh stuff

Some Rap Songs by Earl Sweatshirt

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"

Lubomyr MelnykFallen Trees
PopMatters say the third album from the veteran Ukrainian pianist "combines lush melodies with stunning instrumental technique" while Exclaim say he is "very much at the top of his game"

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"

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"

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"

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.