14 August 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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Debut from the Brooklyn post-punk / indie rock four-piece
6.1
Percussion is a driving force throughout the songs, overlaid with experimental tones, and the occasional pumping keyboard Read Review
Excel at crafting songs that chug manically under a cloud of reverb or coax wallflowers out onto the dancefloor with an infectious marriage of musical precision and experimental messiness Read Review
At its best, the album is pure joy Read Review
Bear Hands are without doubt a band to watch, and we will not be surprised if they go on to rival MGMT in the very near future Read Review
Urgent, fun, big, and bright Read Review
They’ve got their electro-psych moves down pat Read Review
Have been hailed in the blogosphere as the quirky heir apparents to MGMT, but that’s an unreasonable comparison — Bear Hands are nowhere near as exciting Read Review
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Laura Veirs Temple Songs
On "No Masters", romantic contentment mixes with the 19th-century feminist-inspired disavowal of internal male subjugation in favour of a manifesto of self-sufficiency, emphasised by electric guita. Print edition only Uncut
There might be deliberate ambient intrusions and undeleted imperfections, but there is something very intentional going on here, the sense they ae made by somebody carving out space in the jostle of everyday life, consciously taking the time to step away and check in with yourself. Print edition only Mojo
Getdown Services Massive Champion
An album that remains delightfully impossible to predict from beginning to end. Print edition only Uncut
It is daft, not 'zany'. There is enough substance here to go far beyond the gags. Print edition only Record Collector
Some of the more niche references might fly over the heads of non-UK listeners, but regardless of whether you know the Cha Cha Slide dance or who Baby Oleg is, the pair's personality and sense of humour make Massive Champion a winner. Print edition only Mojo
Phoebe Bridgers Lost Weekend
A dense, introspective opus as complex and unpredictable as its author DIY
Ravyn Lenae Blue Island
Even if it's hard to imagine anything on Blue Island blowing up as much as "Love Me Not" did, the album continues Lenae's run of strong, adventurous records All Music
Temple Songs is quietly confident and infused with the strong poetic sense that marks all of Veirs' best work. That she no longer employs a producer to pull it all together is merely a sign of her growth and maturation as an artist All Music
Jungle Sunshine
It’s business as usual for a band that are comfortingly dependable but due a shake-up Rolling Stone UK
Over a decade and still churning out albums like this. Jungle seem completely incapable of putting a foot wrong at this point Far Out
Continues to amalgamate genres into a cacophony of vibes, artist creativity and collaboration, and tracks made for the dance floor. It’s one of the best records to come out of this year, and it is highly recommended Spill Magazine
Consistently enjoyable without ever feeling particularly surprising DIY
A summer smasher. Print edition only Record Collector
Eleven concise tunes float by like a host of funky angels. It's a beach party for the soul. Print edition only Mojo
The noise around the band is at fever pitch, and their second record, Massive Champion, is ready to ignite a flame that will burn out any such nonsense around trend-based accusations. This is a band who are here to stay Far Out
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