3 February 2025
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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Second posthumous album from the rapper following his death in February 2020 includes guest appearances from Kanye West, Pusha T, Rick Ross, 21 Savage, Future, Chris Brown, Dua Lipa and Pharrell
5.6
Faith is the ultimate affirmation of Pop Smoke’s musical transcendence Read Review
‘Faith’ succeeds by offering not ony an elegiac portrait of Pop Smoke, but also a vision of what he could have become Read Review
The rapper’s second posthumous album has some dazzling moments, but ultimately feels like business as usual for an audience whose attention may be elsewhere Read Review
Despite poor production choices and lazy song structures, Pop Smoke's energy and solo spurts of brilliance won't allow for this stale posthumous release to tarnish his legacy Read Review
The Canarsie don's raw talent is overshadowed by superfluous guest spots on the second album to be released since his tragic death in 2020 Read Review
Pop Smoke’s second posthumous album sounds like it’s solely designed to generate clicks as a new generation of rap fans continues to be exploited for their streams Read Review
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Central Cee Can't Rush Greatness
The rapper’s debut studio album is a portrait of its maker as a simultaneous superstar and underdog The FT
Manic Street Preachers Critical Thinking
It couldn’t be anyone else making this record in 2025 Under The Radar
It's four-square Manics Big Music, with James Dean Bradfield's guitar especially eloquent, echoing Keith Levene's sour whine on the title track and beautifully relaxed on "Being Baptised"'s Smith-like elegy. Print edition only Uncut
Rarely has ruminations on decline, in fact, sounded so vigorous. Print edition only Mojo
Critical Thinking lashes out against the ills of the modern world and asks vital questions about the purpose of art and their own relevance. If that sounds heavy, it’s mostly set to some of the most uplifting music of their career, all shimmering, arpeggiated 80s indie, exultant choruses, and their take on the Big Music (Bunnymen, early Simple Minds, Waterboys) that set the teenage Manics’ hearts racing Record Collector
The Welsh rockers’ 15th album finds them in thought-provoking mood The Guardian
The UK rapper’s debut album definitely wasn’t rushed, but how great is it? musicOMH
Maribou State Hallucinating Love
It’s a celebration of what Maribou State does best: creating music that feels timeless and deeply personal The Line Of Best Fit
These 10 sun-kissed tracks are destined to become the soulful soundtrack of summer 2025, and the deep sense of nostalgia they trigger will keep you coming back long after the heat fades Under The Radar
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy The Purple Bird
Warm, textured and political, Oldham’s second “Nashville record” is even better his the first Spectrum Culture
After a challenging period in their personal lives, the British electronic duo’s first album in seven years adds subtle but magic pop sensibilities to their signature chillwave sound NME
DITZ Never Exhale
Never Exhale‘s greatest strengths spark encouragement that DITZ will eventually figure it out find their course, especially when they can learn to curb their itchy trigger fingers Beats Per Minute
As the weather stays freezing and signs of sunshine are still sporadic, the escapism embedded within Maribou State’s newest record will have to suffice until spring. It’s an enjoyable album that promises better days Far Out
The group's music has shed much of its roots in club culture, and bears almost no resemblance to U.K. garage or house. They still manipulate vocals and apply effects the way they've been known to do, but it often sounds closer to the work of a full band rather than a pair of producers All Music
Matt Berry Heard Noises
An album that can pick you up and make you smile, cradle you through gloomier times, and may likely invoke a scene reminiscent of The Exorcist breaking out in your living room, you won’t be able to say you haven’t been entertained! XS Noize
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