12 May 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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Fifth album of rap and pop from the Trinidad-born MC from Queens, New York with guest appearances from J. Cole, Lil Wayne, Tate Kobang, Drake, Lourdiz, Lil Uzi Vert, Skillibeng, Skeng and Future
6.6
While similarities to her 2010 original may run only name-deep, this sample-heavy – and sometimes emotional – material certainly holds its own Read Review
Refusing to be hemmed in, it’s a record of real ambition, an example mirroring fan-pleasing tendencies with actual artistic growth Read Review
Stepping away from Barbie-Girl pop towards her strengths as a rapper, this is the sound of a more mature artist in fierce command of her talent Read Review
The sound of Nicki Minaj cracking her knuckles and getting her hands dirty again. It’s the purest distillation of her uniquely feminine bravado Read Review
Pink Friday 2 is a long album, and it’s going to get longer Read Review
Thirteen years after her landmark album Pink Friday, the pop-rap superstar aims to conjure and build on that moment with an ambitious 22-song statement that is a very mixed bag Read Review
The pop-rap phenomenon is back with her first album in five years Read Review
While some moments of interpolation are more inspired, the musician’s increasing reliance on recognisable samples can start to feel like cruise control Read Review
Unlike its predecessor, the album doesn’t leave much of an impression. Read Review
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Kacey Musgraves Middle of Nowhere
Kasey Musgraves’ latest shows that, sometimes, the Hallmark movies are right: once in a great while, you can go home again and have it all work out Spectrum Culture
Kneecap FENIAN
Kneecap double down on a lyrical outlook that sees no stove as being too hot to touch, and FENIAN brings the beats and delivery to pull their listeners closer Under The Radar
Cola Cost Of Living Adjustment
The third album from the Montreal trio breaks free with restless energy and earnest, worldweary songwriting Pitchfork
The lushest, most fleshed-out Cola record so far DIY
As the Montreal outfit Cola release their third album, the former Ought members are steadfastly standing on their own terms The Skinny
Cost of Living Adjustment hits like piping hot, full-bodied espresso right to the heart, and it's the band's best work yet Exclaim
It’s another album of subtlety and intriguing songwriting choices from Cola, not reinventing their sound by any means, but bringing in new ideas that keep things engaging and confounding in equal measure All Music
The Canadian art-punk trio bring dynamic passion and determination — and actual melodies — on their excellent third album Rolling Stone
The Lemon Twigs Look for Your Mind!
While their performances sparkle, Look For Your Mind! exposes the songwriting limitations of The Lemon Twigs. They would do well to remember that their pioneering heroes — the Wilson brothers, Lennon and McCartney, Chilton, Rundgren — rarely stayed in the same place for long No Ripcord
Aldous Harding Train On The Island
The album is rare in that it feels like it grows stronger as it progresses Hot Press
They give it all on Look For Your Mind! – and it all sounds like they have found what they were looking for Beats Per Minute
Lykke Li The Afterparty
Just like a big night out, or indeed its afters, the record is dizzying but flies by too fast and leaves you wanting just a tiny bit more to savour DIY
MUNA Dancing On The Wall
In equal parts as celebratory, uplifting and outright horny as they are aware and angry DIY
A beautiful album that offers out tantalising strands begging to be put together DIY
Whatever your view on their schtick, the songs will win you over in the end DIY
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
Rosalía Lux
Kendrick Lamar Damn.
D'Angelo And The Vanguard Black Messiah
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Ghosteen
Spiritbox Tsunami Sea
Self Esteem Prioritise Pleasure
Hayley Williams Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party
Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways