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15 October 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

Elvis Costello & The ImpostersLook Now

Uncut say the first release since 2008 from the veteran English singer-songwriter along with back-up band The Imposters is "an album of tremendous humour and empathy"

New

Kurt VileBottle It In

"Takes listeners of a journey of discovery" - The Skinny's verdict on the seventh solo release from the American slacker-rock singer-songwriter. Clash describe it as "a lengthy ride, but ultimately a satisfying one"

New

John GrantLove is Magic

"It's an absolute joy to be along for the ride" - The Skinny's take on the 4th LP from the American singer-songwriter. Q describe it as "fabulously vivid" though Clash think it's "a fascinating but frustrating listen"

Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

Tim HeckerKonoyo

Pitchfork describe the 9th LP from Montreal-based electronic musician as "the least dense and most inquisitive album of his career". Resident Advisor say he "remains irreducible as a composer"

SuedeThe Blue Hour

"A towering, frightening, squalid and inspirational work of art" says GIITV of the English alt. rock group's eighth. Similarly, the Independent think it "will stand as another sordid masterwork"

LowDouble Negative

The trio's 12th album is "an assured volte-face" (Record Collector), "their biggest step forward to date" (Uncut), and their "most challenging and interesting record for some time" (Under the Radar)

SpiritualizedAnd Nothing Hurt

"Another inspirational triumph over adversity" - MOJO's take on the eighth album from Jason Pierce's space rock band. Clash say "if this is Spiritualized’s last it’s a very satisfying denouement"

Haiku SalutThere Is No Elsewhere

"A fully-realised and magical bit of music" - God Is In The TV's verdict on the 3rd LP from the Derbyshire instrumental trio while Exclaim describe it as being "fresh, detailed and packed with surprises"

Yves TumorSafe In The Hands Of Love

Pitchfork describe the third album from the Tennessee-born, Turin-based experimental electronic producer as "a benchmark in experimental music" while The Quietus say it's "magisterial and deeply engaging"

EminemKamikaze

The rapper's surprise 10th album features "some of his most invigorating writing in years" according to TLoBF, and NME find "there are plenty of moments on 'Kamikaze' that remind us of Em's greatness"

Paul McCartneyEgypt Station

American Songwriter think the 17th solo release from the music legend is "an album that constantly projects joy and musical adventurousness" while Rolling Stone say it's "structured like a ride on the cosmic train"

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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6.6

Jungle

For Ever

Second album of modern soul from the London-based collective

Added: 13/09/2018
6.6

Ella Mai

Ella Mai

Debut full-length album from the London-born, New York-based R&B singer-songwriter

Added: 13/10/2018
6.6

Mothers

Render Another Ugly Method

Second album from the Philadelphia-based indie rock band fronted by Kristine Leschper and produced by John Congleton (St Vincent, Future Islands, Suuns)

Added: 07/09/2018
6.6

Cypress Hill

Elephants on Acid

Long-awaited ninth studio album by Californian hip hop veterans offering a mammoth 21 tracks produced by DJ Muggs

Added: 28/09/2018
6.4

MNEK

Language

Debut album from South Londoner Uzoechi Emenike who's worked as a songwriter and producer for Beyoncé, BTS and Little Mix

Added: 07/09/2018
6.4

Waxahatchee

Great Thunder

EP from New York City-via-Alabama indie singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield features songs she wrote and performed as half of Great Thunder

Added: 10/09/2018
6.4

Orbital

Monsters Exist

Ninth studio album from English electronic duo Phil and Paul Hartnoll, their first since their second reformation in 2017

Added: 07/09/2018
6.3

KT Tunstall

WAX

Sixth full-length release by Scottish singer-songwriter offering the second instalment of a trilogy of albums focusing on the body, mind and soul and produced by Nick McCarthy (Franz Ferdinand)

Added: 05/10/2018
6.2

Pale Waves

My Mind Makes Noise

The Mancunian indie pop four-piece's debut, with production from Jonathan Gilmore and The 1975's George Daniel and Matthew Healy

Added: 13/09/2018
5.8

Nile Rodgers & Chic

It's About Time

The first studio release in 26 years by NYC disco/funk legends Chic written and arranged at Abbey Road Studios by multiple Grammy-winning composer, producer and guitarist Nile Rodgers featuring Craig David, Elton John, Emeli Sandé & Lady Gaga

Added: 28/09/2018

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Latest Reviews

Ella Mai Ella Mai

A decent debut, then, but with Mai’s rich voice you can’t help feeling that it could have been stratospheric. Instead, it fails to innovate, and all feels a little beige The Observer

Elvis Costello & The Imposters Look Now

Pretty but patchy The Observer

Kurt Vile Bottle It In

Leisurely, skew-whiff melodies The Observer

More reviews

Fresh stuff

Dose Your Dreams by Fucked Up

music OMH describe the 5th LP from genre-bending hardcore punk outfit as "a masterpiece that pushes boundaries, takes risks and delivers huge rewards". The Skinny say "it could well be their best effort yet"

BehemothI Loved You At Your Darkest
Sputnik Music reckon the 11th LP from the Polish death metal veterans is ""a source of pure joy" while Consequence of Sound say "they make sure their missives of impiety aren't forgotten"

Marie DavidsonWorking Class Woman
"An incredibly cohesive art-house album" - The Skinny's take on the fourth full-length album from the Canadian electronic producer while All Music describe it as "an exciting breakthrough for Davidson"

Adrianne LenkerAbysskiss
The Big Thief vocalist's fourth solo record sees her "at the very peak of her ability" according to American Songwriter, while The Skinny find she's "restless, inquisitive and haunting"

PhosphorescentC'est La Vie
Matthew Houck's Nashville-recorded seventh LP is "devastatingly honest and uncompromisingly beautiful", according to TLOBF. To Uncut it's "the sound of a lifetime burden lifted by love"

Cat PowerWanderer
DIY describe the 10th LP from the Atlanta-born indie singer-songwriter Chan Marshall as "an essential compass for finding your way through the dark". The Arts Desk say it's "a haunting thing of great beauty"

Marissa NadlerFor My Crimes
PopMatters describe album number eight from the Boston indie folk singer-songwriter as being "rich in textures and raw emotions" while All Music reckon it's "among the finest offerings in her catalog"

Amber ArcadesEuropean Heartbreak
Annelotte de Graaf's second LP is "a triumphant wodge of sparkling pop" in Clash's eyes. The Guardian agree, calling it "wistful glowing dream pop". The Skinny say it's all "beautifully composed"

MudhoneyDigital Garbage
"Mudhoney have provided the noise-escape of the year" - Drowned in Sound's verdict on the 10th LP from the Seattle-based alternative punk/grunge foursome. The Arts Desk say they "sound vital as ever"

BROCKHAMPTONiridescence
Sputnik Music describe the fourth album from the Texan alternative hip hop group as their "simplest album, a choose-your-own-adventure funhouse" while Consequence of Sound say it's "full-to-bursting"

We Were Promised JetpacksThe More I Sleep The Less I Dream
Under The Radar say the fourth album from the Scottish indie rock quartet "is unlike anything you have heard before" while DiS say it's "genuinely reflective and melancholic as the band continue to mature"

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