19 September 2020
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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Fifth solo album from the The Sea and Cake band member
7.3
An album of deftly composed modular synth tracks that sounds just lovely Read Review
It took him a few records to get here, but with Comma, Prekop finally affixes his distinctive melodic sensibilities and songwriting voice onto his electronic compositions Read Review
Since 2010's Old Punch Card, he's added opulent modular synthesis to his armoury, a pursuit that reaches an accessible apotheosis here. Print edition only
On his third album created primarily with modular synthesizers, the longtime Sea and Cake frontman makes fascinatingly abstracted music about the act of listening itself Read Review
A great late summer soundtrack to bliss out to before the equinox begins to blot out the sun Read Review
Comma is Sam Prekop's fullest realization of his Brian Eno-like effort to toe the line between rock narratives and the avant-garde Read Review
There's a more pronounced sense of drive and velocity. Print edition only
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Sarah Davachi Cantus, Descant
The minimalist composer-performer’s slow, patient works demand and reward close attention; give them time, and their secrets will rise slowly to the surface Pitchfork
Tricky Fall To Pieces
Tricky sounds like a shadow of his former self The Quietus
Gus Dapperton Orca
By dropping his guard, Dapperton has reinvented his usual slacker-pop to accommodate his raw emotions NME
While Orca is bleaker and more depressing than Dapperton's previous work, it's emotionally hollow, with moments of both joy and despair only suggesting the outline of feelings they can't quite communicate All Music
Orca sees Gus Dapperton tackle strong themes of mental health struggles and finding acceptance in his most transparent and honest piece of work yet The Line Of Best Fit
These restless songs flit between lapses of focused meditation and fretful apprehension Slant Magazine
Anjimile Giver Taker
Unfussy poeticism abounds. Print edition only Uncut
There are strong echoes of Sufjan Stevens, but this US singer-songwriter’s musings on self-discovery are very much their own The Observer
A debut this scintillating sets the bar quite high for the 27-year-old songwriter, but, as we quickly learned—he is already up for the challenge Paste Magazine
Anjimile explores grief, identity and the hope that can shine through regardless The Line Of Best Fit
Deradoorian Find The Sun
Maintains a spirit of creative energy while crucially adding a sense of focus for an immediately rewarding experience Spectrum Culture
Fenne Lily Breach
Throughout BREACH, harsh realities and existential questions sit side-by-side, creating a stunning record that is as relatable as it is profound Loud And Quiet
Nothing can stop Fenne Lily now DIY
An often quiet, hushed album, but its message - one of discovering happiness in solitude - comes over loud and clear. Print edition only Uncut
It's early days yet, but Fenne Lily might just be a major talent in the making. Print edition only Mojo
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.
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
Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Skeleton Tree
Frank Ocean Channel Orange
Anaïs Mitchell Hadestown
Run The Jewels RTJ4