18 April 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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Twelfth album and first on seven years from Columbian-born pop star featuring collaborations with Cardi B, Bizarrap, Rauw Alejandro, Grupo Frontera, Ozuna, Karol G, Fuerza Regida and Tiësto
6.6
A great two-for-one set that is essentially a short new album and a de facto "Greatest Hits 2022-2024" Read Review
The She Wolf is back and she is howling louder and prouder than ever Read Review
The long-awaited return from the Latin trailblazer sees her unpick her recent emotional devastation with wit and real self-awareness Read Review
Lawsuits and lost love couldn’t stop the Colombian powerhouse from taking her rightful place atop Spanish pop’s streaming-fuelled resurgence Read Review
Las Mujeres is a grab-bag of pop genre fusions, yet Shakira manages to hold court in every song with her incisive and enduring songcraft Read Review
The Colombian superstar’s first Spanish-only album in 19 years is a brutally honest look at her breakup that overflows with vengeance and still-got-it sex appeal Read Review
Her first record since 2017’s El Dorado melds pulsating dance anthems with reggaeton, pop… and even a splash of grunge Read Review
Despite a hit diss track so withering it affected the stock market and enlivening turns from Cardi B and leading regional Mexican musicians, the Colombian’s wan 12th album washes out her adventurous spirit Read Review
Break-ups reoccur throughout the songs, but they lack the vim of the record’s hit single Read Review
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Beirut A Study Of Losses
A Study Of Losses is ultimately a pleasant (if sometimes monotonous) release. Print edition only Record Collector
A further example of his fluency in the ancient, internationally shared languages of wonder and imagining. Print edition only Uncut
What might be his [Zac Condon's] most beautiful record to date, particularly the instrumental numbers. Print edition only Mojo
For Zach Condon to write music for a troupe of acrobats might seem a little too on the nose, given his roots. But the results are the most effortless and surprising Beirut album in ages Pitchfork
As a whole, only one of the 18 tracks here crosses the four-minute mark, so A Study of Losses' hour-long playing time seems to go by quickly, and its unceasing sweetness and longing linger after Condon is "Left to be/A sea of tranquility" ("Mare Tranquillitatis") to close a lovely theater project All Music
This album feels like that—beautiful, elusive, but almost too distant to truly mourn what once was Northern Transmissions
Julien Baker & Torres Send A Prayer My Way
The two singer-songwriters embrace their Southern roots for a country collaboration. Their folksy depictions of queer love are charming, but the album’s moments of humor and homage can fall flat Pitchfork
Bon Iver SABLE, fABLE
Even for those who may not be in the mood for all this peace and love, it’s hard not to read this album as a personal triumph Under The Radar
Send a Prayer My Way sounds more like the twinkly, pastoral indie-folk Baker makes than the dramatic engaging bubblegum grunge Torres makes, but it’s still a step far enough away from either body of work that it hits you like a breath of fresh air Spectrum Culture
A hooting and hollering good time Sputnik Music (staff)
The two songwriters’ collaboration album is a refreshing exploration of new territory for them, even if it doesn’t always connect NME
Tunde Adebimpe Thee Black Boltz
He isn’t trying too hard to eclipse the likes of Panda Bear or LCD Soundsystem, but he clearly just shows that he’s got plenty still to offer, and he seems incredibly content in doing so Far Out
By the time closer ‘Streetlight Nuevo’ arrives, it’s clear we’ve witnessed something special – an artist taking full creative flight. ‘Thee Black Boltz’ pushes boundaries while remaining incredibly enjoyable Dork
It really spotlights his artistry and musical intelligence ranging from indie, electronic and folk. With so much going on it would be easy for it to be overbearing but he finds a way to bring it all together and flow wonderfully Clash
Though the apple doesn't fall far from the electronic/art-rock tree, the writing isn't as fully realised as TVOTR's and the playing lacks their meaty resonance. Print edition only Uncut
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
Spiritbox Tsunami Sea
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