2 December 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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Fourth solo album from the Houston rapper featuring guest appearances from Bon Iver, Sampha, Drake, Playboi Carti, Beyoncé, 21 Savage, the Weeknd, Yung Lean, Young Thug, James Blake, Kid Cudi, Bad Bunny, Future and SZA
6.2
UTOPIA sees Scott stay true to his style, his preferences, and his principles, going against the grain of the tendencies in the viral-hungry world that is 2023 ra Read Review
Lead single ‘K-POP’ remains a titanic moment, but its immediacy is perhaps a misnomer on a record dominated by misdirection, about-turns, and sudden revelations Read Review
The album operates less as a cohesive body of work and more as a series of show-stopping set pieces Read Review
The Houston rapper's first album since 2018 teases a brave new sonic world, but has little to say about what might happen if we get there Read Review
In an attempt to give the world a true blockbuster rap album, the Houston rapper delivers a shiny, empty spectacle loaded with pop superstars who rarely make an impact Read Review
The reality is that while Scott is a masterful curator, he’s just an OK rapper. Those two realities are discordant for too many moments on Utopia Read Review
Returning with a long-awaited fourth album in the wake of the Astroworld disaster, Scott’s rhyming isn’t strong enough to distinguish him from his A-list guests Read Review
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Father John Misty Mahashmashana
Josh Tillman ties together the misery, wit and showmanship of his previous albums on a set laced with strings and swagger The Observer
Kendrick Lamar GNX
Fresh from his feud with Drake, the US hip-hop star’s latest album finds him on imperious form The Observer
Kendrick's most speaker-knocking set to date All Music
Gwen Stefani Bouquet
Love and marriage are to be celebrated, but on this evidence they don’t make for the world’s most exciting music musicOMH
Considering this is an album that started development 4 years ago, we’re just lucky it’s only a 30 minute listen Sputnik Music (staff)
The music is presented about as unironically as the singer’s views on marriage Slant Magazine
Bouquet is fine as a first country album – there’s a relaxed sheen over the whole thing, and she sounds great as ever – it’s just disappointing for what we know Stefani to be capable of The Line Of Best Fit
Album continues the ex-SoCal punk’s rebranding as a down-home country gal Rolling Stone
Whilst still channelling her pop song writing tendencies, there is a distinct sense of emotional depth at the heart of ‘Bouquet’, which feels as though it finds Gwen Stefani at the peak of her songwriting craft Clash
Things get crazy, scary, spooky and hilarious on the Compton rapper’s triumphant new record musicOMH
Lauren Mayberry Vicious Creature
The Scottish star’s solo debut is about ‘empowering myself to listen to my own intuition’ – leading her to alternately clumsy and deft songs influenced by Y2K pop The Guardian
The Cure Songs Of A Lost World
A work of genius that was worth the wait. Print edition only Record Collector
It may be album aimed at club or in-car entertainment than listening at home but that doesn’t stop it having a rich and eclectic sound The Irish Times
A truly remarkable feat and already one of the best rap records all year, proving once again that Kendrick continues to operate at a level all to himself Clash
Michael Kiwanuka Small Changes
The London-born musician tweaks his sound and thematic concerns, burrowing deeper into the niche he has forged The Irish Times
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