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17 February 2026

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

Charli XCXWuthering Heights

"This brilliantly moody soundtrack confirms Charli XCX as a star who makes better art when she’s not trying to deliver a hit" (10/10 - The Irish Times). "At times gorgeous" (8/10 - Clash)

New

Danny L HarleCerulean

"His most cohesive work to date, finding parity in both its nostalgia and its modernity" (9/10 - DIY). "‘Cerulean’ is the album Danny L Harle has been waiting his whole life to make" (10/10 - Dork)

New

Mandy, IndianaURGH

"The Manchester noise rock band take their sound to thrilling new places on an exploratory second album" (10/10 - Rolling SXtone UK). "It’s chaotic and messy, but also catchy" (8/10 - CLash)

Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

Joyce ManorI Used to Go to This Bar

"The Californian trio’s exhilarating, bittersweet seventh album marks a vital evolution" (8/10 - musicOMH). "They keep up their uninterrupted streak of never releasing a bad album" (8/10 - Under The Radar)

Westside CowboySo Much Country ‘Till We Get There

"So Much Country ‘Till We Get There is barely 15 minutes long; it is scarcely believable how much promise they’ve packed into it. Believe the hype" (10/10 - The Skinny)

Dove EllisBlizzard

"With shades of Jeff and Tim Buckley, the Galway-born artist writes tunes so strong they seem as familiar as old friends" (10/10 - The Guardian). "The sound is entirely his" (8/10 - DIY)

SnocapsSnocaps

"They are back playing pop that is pretty darn unmatched" (8.6/10 - Northern Transmissions). "A hailstorm of warm, exceptionally-written country-rock bangers backed by MJ Lenderman and Brad Cook" (8.5/10 - Paste)

Florence + The MachineEverybody Scream

"Florence Welch enlists horror and magic to harness hope" (10/10 - NME). "An urgent and vital testimony to survival and rebirth, Florence Welch’s sixth album is a defiant middle finger to doubters" (9/10 - musicOMH)

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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6.7

Madison Beer

Locket

Third full-length release from the Jericho, New York pop singer-songwriter

Added: 20/01/2026
6.7

Cast

Yeah Yeah Yeah

Eighth full-length release from the Liverpool indie rock band features a guest appearance by P.P. Arnold

Added: 28/01/2026
6.7

Zach Bryan

With Heaven On Top

Sixth full-length album from the Oklahoma country artist features 25 tracks. An acoustic 24-track version was released three days later

Added: 15/01/2026
6.6

J. Cole

The Fall-Off

Seventh studio album from the American rapper featuring guest appearances from Erykah Badu, Burna Boy, Future, Morray, PJ, Petey Pablo and Tem

Added: 10/02/2026
6.5

Louis Tomlinson

How Did I Get Here?

Third album from the Doncaster-born One Direction member working with producers Joseph Cross, Nicolas Rebscher and Mathias Wang

Added: 23/01/2026
6.5

Ari Lennox

Vacancy

Third studio album from the Washington DC R&B singer-songwriter

Added: 04/02/2026
6.1

Silversun Pickups

Tenterhooks

Seventh album from the Los Angeles-based indie rock quartet produced by Garbage's Butch Vig

Added: 12/02/2026
6.1

Sébastien Tellier

Kiss The Beast

Eighth studio album from the French producer, multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter featuring guest appearances from Kid Cudi, Nile Rodgers and Slayyyter

Added: 01/02/2026
5.9

Megadeth

Megadeth

Sventeenth and final full-length studio release from the Los Angeles thrash metal band

Added: 23/01/2026
5.9

Joji

Piss In The Wind

Fourth full-length album from New York-based Osaka-born artist features guest appearances by 4batz, Giveon, Don Toliver and Yeat

Added: 11/02/2026

Latest Reviews

Howling Bells Strange Life

Strange Life makes for a very agreeable comeback. Print edition only Record Collector

Howling Bells Strange Life

The good news is that their sound has not dated, nor has the vision dimmed. Print edition only Uncut

Howling Bells Strange Life

Strange Life warrants recognition, Stein and co's passion undimmed. Print edition only Mojo

More reviews

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Fresh stuff

Singin' To An Empty Chair by Ratboys

"Ratboys have earned their seat at the top table" (9/10 - DIY). "Their most emotionally affecting and compositionally advanced songs to date" (8.4/10 - Pitchfork)

DaphniButterfly
"It may only be February, but this already feels like a defining electronic record of the year" (9/10 - Clash). "It might already be the most relentlessly feel-good album of 2026" (8/10 - DIY)

CastYeah Yeah Yeah
"Sounding comfortable and confident. Songs are strong, the production is polished" (8/10 - XS Noize). "Sound of a band determined to prove they’re more than a Britpop legacy act" (7/10 - musicOHM)

Tyler BallgameFor The First Time, Again
"Mark it down as the first great album of 2026" (10/10 - Record Collector). "Ballgame's got the goods and the charisma" (8/10 - All Music). "Often startlingly brilliant" (8/10 - Mojo)

Lucinda WilliamsWorld's Gone Wrong
"While burning with barely suppressed anger, her 16th album shows that, even in the darkest of times, there’s hope to be found" (8/10 - musicOMH). "The music is straight and soothing" (8/10 - Uncut)

Courtney Marie AndrewsValentine
"An earnest, aching set carried by dazzling vocal performances and rich, chamber-folk production" (7.4/10 - Pitchfork). "Brims with rich orchestration and incisive lyrics" (8/10 - Record Collector)

Dead Dads ClubDead Dads Club
"Imbued with a real sense of healing and closure" (8/10 - DIY). "Produced by Fontaines D.C.’s Carlos O’Connell, the record turns a period of grief into triumph" (8/10 - NME)

All-time top 10

Since we've been around, that is. So, the highest-rated albums from the past twelve years or so. Rankings are calculated to two decimal places.

See full list