7 September 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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Album number twenty-four from the lo-fi indie folk band led by John Darnielle
7.3
Marvellous. Print edition only
The record saves its real argument for last. The title track and “Last Day” aren’t a one-two punch so much as a single thought split in half — one side aching, one side almost at peace — and together they make the case for the whole album: that dwelling on an ending doesn’t have to mean dreading it Read Review
It’s very much a Mountain Goats album. Is it their best? Probably not, but it has a lot of their best qualities and some really great songs that fans will love Read Review
John Darnielle and co. revisit the 1990s, Layne Staley, and Charlie Sheen on a collection of songs that explore the rigid nature of time and our power to reframe the past Read Review
Exploring a motley array of grunge-era characters, the latest Mountain Goats album is very polished and very funny, as the band’s performances convey the same nuance and range as John Darnielle’s writing Read Review
Days isn’t a collection of personal traumas but of memories held at a distance, and such material should be treated with the light touch John Darnielle applies here Read Review
The Mountain Goats don’t go all in on a 1990s grunge-inspired record, but instead look back on that period with a fresh perspective Read Review
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Chat Pile Who Loves The Sun
With more of what existing devotees demand, plus a few degrees of increasing accessibility, Who Loves The Sun suggests that as the climate around them heats up, so do Chat Pile. At least the latter is a very good thing Kerrang!
Arab Strap Half-Told Tales
Packed with caustic drama and moments of real heart, Half-Told Tales makes clear that Arab Strap are still well connected to their alt-pop alchemy that fuelled former glories, that likewise has dreamed up a fine record cementing their always unique presence in the indie world Far Out
We’re watching the world fall apart in real time. Ever wondered what that sounded like? On Who Loves the Sun, Chat Pile expose the contradictions and controversies at the heart of the compendium of chaos with searing lyricism and exciting instrumentation Far Out
Dexy Midnight Runners LOVE
It's a true delight that Dexys Midnight Runners are back to reclaim their place in the pop music firmament and LOVE is nothing less than a late career highlight that pales not at all when held up to their early work All Music
Adéla Prima
In calling back to bygone decades with PRIMA, Jergová certainly knows her audience. But in a time of profitable nostalgia bait, it’s a formulaic approach that is both aiding her popularity and interfering with her artistic development The Line Of Best Fit
The 22-year-old is impressively frank about indulging industry sleaze in her pursuit of fame on a debut that puts a distinctive spin on the best of 00s hedonism The Guardian
The pop phenom wraps stories of sacrifice and surrender with bold confidence on her maximalist debut Rolling Stone
The album suggests the singer might just have what it takes to reach her loftiest ambitions Slant Magazine
On her debut album, the Slovakian singer is growling, thrusting and squealing her way to superstardom, one hit at a time NME
Closing with the mighty hip-hop infused, neo-industrial beat behind ‘Ain’t In LA’, this is an unrelenting debut, a coherent run of pop ambition that displays every inch of ADÉLA’s star quality Clash
Alabama Shakes I Must Be Dreaming
After more than a decade away, Brittany Howard’s influential rock band still has a knack for righteous, retro catharsis, but the signature moves can’t help but feel a little safe Pitchfork
Mastodon Marrow Deep
With Marrow Deep, Mastodon have delivered a powerful and musically challenging album, hinting at intriguing new directions for the band’s collective sound No Ripcord
Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton offer a meditation on age, modern life and the past, offering hope and resilience – and evidence that things can get better musicOMH
Interpol This Mirror Weighs a Ton
It’s been a tough run for Interpol since the highs of Antics, but their re-energised eighth album marks a glorious shift in fortunes No Ripcord
Erykah Badu & The Alchemist Before the World Blows
Just when you think you’ve figured out where Badu and the Alchemist are taking you, another song changes the pace, the mood, or the rules Northern Transmissions
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