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26 June 2019

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

Mark RonsonLate Night Feelings

"A guaranteed award winner and a truly empowering listen" - Clash's take on the 5th LP from the producer and musician. All Music say "overall, this is one of Ronson's best works - a complete pop album"

New

HatchieKeepsake

"A stunning and atmospheric debut " - Consequence Of Sound's take on the first album from the Australian dream pop artist Harriette Pilbeam. The Music describe it as "bright, glossy and optimistic"

New

BedouineBird Songs of a Killjoy

The Arts Desk say there's "a low-key nomadic quality" to the 2nd LP from Los Angeles-based folk singer-songwriter Azniv Korkejian. Record Collector say "Bedouine has found herself a winning formula"

Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

Bruce SpringsteenWestern Stars

The Irish Times reckon the 19th solo LP from the singer-songwriter is "his most radical and arguably his best album for some time". PopMatters say it's "deeply moving, inventive and even a bit risky"

MadonnaMadame X

musicOMH describe the 14th studio album from the pop singer as "bold, bizarre, brazen and beguiling". The Guardian say that "by embracing Latin pop, Madonna sounds more natural than she has in years"

Stef ChuraMidnight

PopMatters say the 2nd LP from the Detroit indie rock singer-songwriter "cements Chura's place as a voice to be reckoned with in the modern indie rock landscape". Paste describe it as "an incredible record"

Hayden ThorpeDiviner

"May just be one of the best albums this writer has heard this decade" - The Line Of Best Fit's take on the first solo album from the former Wild Beats frontman. Uncut say it "retains much of what Wild Beasts did best"

Richard HawleyFurther

Evening Standard say the 8th LP from the Sheffield-born guitarist and vocalist is "another wonderful, life-affirming offering". The Guardian say "within the boundaries of his domain, nobody does it better"

Flying LotusFlamagra

"An exhilarating journey that unites both calm and chaos" - NME's take on the 6th LP of from the hip hop / electronica producer while The Independent describe it as "a strange, twisting journey"

The NationalI Am Easy To Find

The Line Of Best Fit reckon album number eight from the Ohio indie rock band is "their boldest and most assured to date". The Irish Times say they have "given us soundtracks to many days lived, and yet to be lived"

Holly HerndonPROTO

The Skinny reckon Herndon's 3rd LP of electronica / techno is "a notable work of art". Exclaim say it "overflows with euphoria-inducing sensations you might expect summiting a great mountain"

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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5.8

Interpol

A Fine Mess

Five-track EP from the New York indie rock band produced by Dave Fridmann (MGMT, OK Go, The Flaming Lips)

Added: 18/05/2019
5.7

Honeyblood

In Plain Sight

Third album of indie rock from the Glasgow-based Stina Tweeddale working with producer John Congleton

Added: 23/05/2019
5.4

Avicii

TIM

Posthumous third studio album from the Swedish pop/house DJ with all profits going towards the Tim Bergling Foundation

Added: 07/06/2019
5.3

Lewis Capaldi

Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent

Debut album from the Scottish singer-songwriter who was nominated for the Brit Critics' Choice Award for 2019

Added: 17/05/2019
5.1

Morrissey

California Son

Twelfth solo studio album from the former Smiths frontman is a cover album produced by Joe Chiccarelli (The Strokes, The Killers, U2)

Added: 23/05/2019

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Latest Reviews

The Raconteurs Help Us Stranger

It’s the purest, most fun music either White or Benson have put out in over a decade Sputnik Music (staff)

Baroness Gold & Grey

An album of sadness, pain and residual wrath but, above all, acceptance and beauty Spectrum Culture

The Waterboys Where The Action Is

This is one of the finer works in Scott's lengthy canon, a triumph of atmospheric, poetic, purposely kaleidoscopic songcraft from an often-overlooked master Under The Radar

More reviews

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Fresh stuff

Schlagenheim by Black-Midi

"Schlagenheim is a masterpiece" - Paste's take on the debut full-length album from the experimental rock band while music OMH say it' "must be heralded as the dawn of a new era"

Hot ChipA Bath Full of Ecstasy
Clash reckon that the seventh album from the indie dance synthpop outfit is "their lushest sounding project yet" while musicOMH say it's "a lush, adventurous experience, immersive and refreshing"

The RaconteursHelp Us Stranger
"The sound of a group of musicians having the absolute time of their lives" - Clash's take on the third album from the Detroit rock band led by Brendan Benson and Jack White

Kate TempestThe Book Of Traps And Lessons
"There is a powerful understatement to this album that yields more secrets with every listen" - Clash's take on the 3rd LP from the London-born artist

Calexico And Iron & WineYears To Burn
"Warm, grand and deeply comforting" - The Music's take on the 2nd LP from the Arizona band and Sam Beam. Uncut say "it's all deftly constructed and beautifully realised"

BastilleDoom Days
NME describe the 3rd LP from the indie pop quartet as their "most inventive, boundary-hopping album yet" while Q say that "simply put, it's a Bastille album, but better". PopMatters say they fall "into a sonic rut"

Bill CallahanShepherd in a Sheepskin Vest
"A long, sun-warmed double album that is a highlight of his career" - Pitchfork's take on the 6th LP from the Maryland-born singer-songwriter while Q say "the cumulative emotional impact is profound"

PalehoundBlack Friday
The 405 say the third release from the Boston-based alt-rock trio is "their most cutting, personal and resounding album yet". Exclaim say it's "a great point of entry to an already impressive discography"

Peter PerrettHumanworld
"His well-judged musical ideas continue to flourish" - The Guardian's take on the second solo album from the singer-songwriter and former The Only Ones frontman. Q say he's "a true master in career-best form"

The Divine ComedyOffice Politics
"Their most eclectic collection to date" - XS Noize's take on the twelfth studio album from Neil Hannon while Clash say it "finds the underrated genius as acerbic and creatively inspired as ever"

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