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25 June 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

Gang Gang DanceKazuashita

The Music think the first LP in seven years from the New York experimental electronica five-piece feels "like a timeless classic" while NME say they "find beauty in nature on their triumphant sixth album"

New

Nine Inch NailsBad Witch

"Reznor's best record in over 20 years" is the 405's take on the third EP in his latest trilogy, and Q say that that "NIN sound invigorated". The Observer describe it as "an inventive, aggressive return"

New

The CartersEverything Is Love

"A pop fairy tale just real enough to believe in" - AV Club's take on this collaborative between Beyonce and Jay-Z. Pitchfork say "it is a celebration of resilient black love and proud black extravagance"

Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

Rolling Blackouts Coastal FeverHope Downs

No Ripcord say there's "not a single bad song on here" in reviewing the Melbourne 5-piece's debut, while GIITTV say it's a "tremendously satisfying listen"

Melody’s Echo ChamberBon Voyage

Uncut say Melody Prochet's second album "begs to be put on again, each listen revealing more of the myriad ideas that make up its weird majesty"

Snail MailLush

Exclaim call the Lo-fi indie debut from 19 year old Lindsey Jordan "unencumbered and honest", with Eabuddy saying it's "awesome when Jordan is most engaged". The Arts Desk say she's "a breath of fresh air"

Lily AllenNo Shame

"It’s hard to deny No Shame represents the woman who made it: it’s a smart, self-aware and compellingly imperfect record with a pretty unique point of view" say NME on the 4th album from the pop singer

LUMPLUMP

Loud & Quiet say the debut full-length album for the collaboration between Laura Marling and Mike Lindsay is "an intoxicating listen" while DiS say they "convey startling visions through their new vessel"

Father John MistyGod's Favorite Customer

"When it's glorious, it really is glorious" - Uncut's take on the 4th LP from J Tillman. Loud and Quiet say "the songs sound the same but the lyrics reveal a side to him that’s rarely made an appearance until now"

Ben HowardNoonday Dream

DIY describe the third album from the Devon-based folk / pop singer-songwriter as "a repositioning as well as a new highlight" while Q say "Howard's evolving sound is fast becoming distinctively his own"

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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6.3

Mazzy Star

Still

An EP from Hope Sandoval and David Roback, featuring three new tracks and a new version of So Tonight That I Might See

Added: 08/06/2018
6.2

The Orb

No Sounds Are Out of Bounds

Fifteenth studio album from English house duo Alex Paterson and Thomas Fehlmann

Added: 22/06/2018
6.2

Kanye West

Ye

Eighth album from the biggest name in rap was streamed live from Wyoming and features guest appearances from Kid Cudi, John Legend, Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign

Added: 02/06/2018
6.1

Girls Names

Stains on Silence

Belfast quartet's fourth album of indie surf rock

Added: 18/06/2018
6.1

Quiet Slang

Everything Matters But No One Is Listening

First album from James Alex's Beach Slang spin-off band consists of chamber-pop covers of his own punk songs

Added: 18/05/2018
6.1

Nas

NASIR

First album in 6 years from the NYC rapper, the fourth in a series of five albums recorded at Kanye's Wyoming studio

Added: 20/06/2018
6.1

Snow Patrol

Wildness

Seventh full-length album from the Irish rock band and their first in seven years, produced by Jacknife Lee (U2, The Killers, Bloc Party)

Added: 24/05/2018
5.9

Roger Daltrey

As Long As I Have You

A mix of covers and originals on the ninth solo album from the Who frontman, featuring Mick Talbot and bandmate Pete Townshend

Added: 31/05/2018

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Latest Reviews

Nine Inch Nails Bad Witch

The album is a bite-size morsel of everything NIN can do very well and leaves the listener craving more of this delectable offering Punk News

serpentwithfeet soil

Essential listening Gig Soup

Kamasi Washington Heaven & Earth

Regardless of the degree to which one engages with this album, there exists a palpable sense that Kamasi Washington is merely at the beginning of a career we can only hope will flourish as we heal this shared existence Gig Soup

More reviews

Fresh stuff

Ye by Kanye West

The Guardian reckon that with his eighth album the biggest name in rap "is bracingly honest about his mental health struggles" while The Irish Times say it "exhibits hints of the self-awareness and empathy"

NasNASIR
musicOMH reckon the first LP in 6 years from the NYC rapper is "the best overall production and best quality control since Illmatic" though Exclaim say it's "disappointingly heedless"

Johnny MarrCall the Comet
Marr's self-produced third solo record is "bold and inspiring" according to NME, and the Music reckon it sees him "embracing the best of his past and present"

Leon VynehallNothing Is Still
"Beauty can be found in every facet of this record" - The Music's take on the debut full-length from the deep house producer and DJ. musisOMH say "the narrative is consistently immersive and engaging"

Kids See GhostsKids See Ghosts
Their collaboration "sees Kanye West and Kid Cudi catch up with the fragmented, fragile brand of hip-hop that they helped to shape" say NME, with Pitchfork calling it "spacious and melancholy"

Matt MalteseBad Contestant
The Reading singer-songwriter's debut is "stunning", according to DIY, and Loud and Quiet reckon he writes "words to give Father John Misty a run for his money"

Jon HassellListening To Pictures (Pentimento Volume One)
Uncut say the first release in nine years from the American jazz musician is "masterful", while The Guardian say it "proves the 81-year-old is still experimental after all these years"

serpentwithfeetsoil
Josiah Wise's soulful debut is "a visionary statement of arrival, a potent and singular masterpiece" according to PopMatters, with The Observer calling it "a beautiful, shape-shifting debut"

Jorja SmithLost & Found
"A solid start for the emerging artist and the foundation for a robust discography" - Exclaim's take on the debut from the pop r&b singer-songwriter while The Observer say it's "quietly, confidently remarkable"

Virginia WingEcstatic Arrow
"One of they year's most original and exciting records" says Loud and Quiet of the Mancunian experimental pop duo's fourth, while Q think it's "smart, melodic and irrepressible"

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