26 April 2024
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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Third album from Australian surf-rock duo Zach Stephenson and Billy Fleming
6.5
The band trust their instincts and experiment on their third album Read Review
A perfect treat for the existential sweet tooth Read Review
While Brain Candy does lose creative steam towards the back end, there's still plenty here on offer for those looking for a reprieve from the oppressive reality of day-to-day life in 2020 Read Review
As a band that named themselves after a video game that Bart and Milhouse play on The Simpsons, there is a genuine eagerness, a casual goofiness, and some unruly energy that makes the band all the more endearing. They’re just two dudes making music. And you know what? It kind of rules Read Review
Hockey Dad sees the band improved as musicians; they've grown up a little, and they know enough to not wander too far Read Review
Ultimately, it’s the structure of the album that is the biggest disappointment, fizzling out within five tracks and losing a lot of the rowdy energy it had so excellently managed to hold Read Review
On Brain Candy they sound like two men beginning to process this fact - and in doing so they’re gradually starting to explore a new side of themselves Read Review
Porij Teething
A confident debut that acts as both the party and the comedown DIY
The quartet's debut album sees them striving not to retread old material – and adds more emotion and texture to their uptempo sound NME
Porij’s confident and assured debut delves into their love for not settling for one genre. Taking you on an adventure through emotions and soundscapes, it’s a fluid record that never stands still The Line Of Best Fit
Porij haven’t just cut their teeth here; they’ve gone straight for the jugular, torn it to shreds, and now reign victorious Dork
The Manchester band sing about edginess and emotional danger, but never manage to give their beats any tension The Guardian
Beyoncé Cowboy Carter
The Age of Pleasure could have been made by an artist other than Janelle Monáe, but there’s no way COWBOY CARTER could have been made by anyone other than Beyoncé. We’re lucky to have her No Ripcord
Cloud Nothings Final Summer
From the moment it starts to its very last note, Final Summer comes rich with gargantuan hooks that make you feel alive No Ripcord
Justice Hyperdrama
The French electronic titans’ fourth album is sleekly aerodynamic, expensively appointed, and stacked with bold-name guests like Tame Impala and Thundercat. If only there were some real drama Pitchfork
St. Vincent All Born Screaming
On All Born Screaming, St. Vincent suggests the end of life is really just a new beginning. Love is the purpose. There is no joy without pain PopMatters
It’s music that evokes the terror we all share in just being alive, and the way that fighting through it is a form of constant rebirth we all share, too. That’s the kind of truth this album excavates and celebrates many times, and why this is some of Annie Clark’s most satisfyingly urgent music yet Rolling Stone
Rich in Rid Of Me-era PJ Harvey distortion and sludgy guitars straight from Seattle The Arts Desk
Pearl Jam Dark Matter
Thirty years ago, no one was expecting this sort of longevity from the grunge scene, but Pearl Jam carries on with fortitude, surprisingly undimmed in their mix of realism and optimism Spectrum Culture
Well-layered textures and attractive vocals from an array of guests dominate the electronic duo’s fourth record The FT
Ultimately hit and miss, Justice's gift for arena-friendly hooks remains undimmed. Print edition only Mojo
Justice fuse funk and synthwave with their trademark electronica – the result is intentionally uneven, constantly exciting and extremely dramatic The Skinny
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.
Kendrick Lamar To Pimp A Butterfly
Fiona Apple Fetch The Bolt Cutters
Kendrick Lamar Damn.
D'Angelo And The Vanguard Black Messiah
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Ghosteen
Self Esteem Prioritise Pleasure
Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Skeleton Tree
Frank Ocean Channel Orange
Dave We’re All Alone In This Together