19 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.
Browse specific styles
5th album from the Shetland-born alt.folk singer-songwriter, an experimental ambient collection in collaboration with Brian Eno guitarist Leo Abrahams
6.4
If you have yet to discover Astrid, now is the moment Read Review
As beautiful as it is unsettling. Print edition only
With a rich tapestry of melody and a lyrical maturity, ‘Pulse’ is the sound of a vocalist coming of age in a most flattering way Read Review
A bold change in direction for Astrid Williamson that she's managed to pull off extremely competently Read Review
Less of a game-changer for Astrid Williamson than it is a bit of a paradigm shift Read Review
Despite the best efforts of all involved, a residual disconnect remains, and only last-minute highlight Paperbacks counters accumulative disinterest Read Review
Incredibly spare Read Review
Roll over video for more options
Astrid Williamson: Pulse
Cindy Lee Diamond Jubilee
Overall, Diamond Jubilee is a compelling diamond in a year of classics that, while hurt by some issues, strives to a level of uniqueness and brilliance that makes it one of the most needed albums to listen to this year Spill Magazine
The record – just like the medium of music – is doomed (or blessed) to exist in this in-between state of ghost-like liminality. Some things exist only through their non-existence, in a brief flash of time, defined through the myths we attribute to them, the outlines we long to perceive within, to imagine another, to feel ourselves Beats Per Minute
An out-of-the-blue magnum opus from the Canadian indie drag artist. Print edition only Uncut
The sprawling and spectacular Cindy Lee album is an essential trove of music. Each song is like a foggy transmission from a rock’n’roll netherworld with its own ghostly canon of beloved hits Pitchfork
“Diamond Jubilee” is more than just an album—it’s an experience, a journey into the unknown that challenges our preconceived notions of what music can be Northern Transmissions
Patrick Flegel’s new double-album, available only on YouTube and GeoCities, sounds like it’s coming from the other room, if not another gauzy galaxy Paste Magazine
Saint Etienne The Night
It is thematic and specific and at the same time one of the most coherent efforts the trio has come up with so far Spill Magazine
Linkin Park From Zero
For long-time fans, From Zero offers a mix of nostalgia and renewal. For newcomers, it’s an invitation to explore the band’s rich discography. Either way, it’s clear that Linkin Park is not just surviving but thriving in this new chapter of their career Vinyl Chapters
The Night is a meditative journey through sound, seamlessly blending moments of quiet introspection with richly textured ambiance. The hyponic ambience that they’ve crafted must be experienced Northern Transmissions
It’s a lullaby for the modern age—best savoured before sleep, one delicate note at a time XS Noize
Snoop Dogg Missionary
As a follow-up to the history-making ‘Doggystyle’, ‘Missionary’ swaps out its predecessor’s hedonistic charm for some more mature nuggets of wisdom NME
Their first full-length collaboration since Doggystyle is a celebration of strengths, displaying Snoop's growth while underlining his congenial gangsta appeal Rolling Stone
Aligning with Dre across the full breadth of the record, ‘Missionary’ is one of rap’s most iconic voices doing what he does best Clash
While it doesn't really come close to capturing the lightning-in-a-bottle power of Doggystyle, there's enough of that original spirit mixed with a modernized production sound to make Missionary one of Snoop's more enjoyable full-album listening experiences in several years All Music
Snoop Dogg has a spring in his step on his relentlessly interesting Dr Dre collaboration The Independent
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