14 October 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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Third album from the Cardiff-based psych-rock collective
6.7
Forget power-chords and delving into guitar music’s annals; something as thoroughly modern, and bizarrely brilliant, as Illuminated People needs to be savoured as much as possible Read Review
This ambitious pitch of an album, has set our minds on fire. 2012 starts here Read Review
Islet have done a rather good job at expanding and broadening their musical landscape to something that is more considered, more precise, and in many ways, more thought provoking Read Review
Does a creditable job of replicating the sweat, volume and improvisation of their must-see live shows Read Review
There are hints of post-hardcore, post-rock and even non-awful prog, too Read Review
[It] might not be perfect but it’s never anything less than interesting Read Review
Once they’ve got all this messing around out of their system, there’s a real band of substance in there Read Review
It seems like the free spirits of art-pop (Animal Collective, Gang Gang Dance, Bear in Heaven) finally have a British brother to hang out with and he’s quite the turbulent sibling Read Review
Islet come with a mission of sorts: lots and lots of drums. Print edition only
Overflows with ideas and adventurism. Print edition only
Fun as it is, Illuminated People never quite reaches the brutal, anarchic highs of Islet's live shows, and as a result it feels restrained. But one thing's for sure - no one could call it dull Read Review
It sounds like Islet’s overreaching imagination stretches beyond the boundaries of cohesiveness, leaving an album of messy experiments rather than memorable songs Read Review
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Islet: Illuminated People
Jay Som Belong
The final sounds of Belong are the sounds of a party, heard from just outside, what you missed out on from expecting so much, rather than simply letting things happen as they may Beats Per Minute
The Antlers Blight
Blight may not be for everyone. For some though, it’s offering a sort of presence; an outstretched hand to join in and reflect on the strangled futures. It’s beautiful, restrained, and quietly heart-shattering Northern Transmissions
More than worth the wait DIY
Lola Young I'm Only F**king Myself
Lola Young turns heartbreak, chaos, and self-sabotage into art on her latest record — a brutally honest, sonically wild ride that’s equal parts hangover and healing Spectrum Culture
Barry Can’t Swim Loner
Loner will see Barry Can’t Swim continue his rapid ascent and, in turn, cement his status as one of the most exciting new talents in electronic dance music PopMatters
Cate Le Bon Michelangelo Dying
As Cate Le Bon navigates difficult emotional states, it may seem like the road was a challenging one to traverse, but it has resulted in some of her best work PopMatters
Snõõper Worldwide
Studio production, wordier songwriting, and a vintage drum machine don’t slow down the egg-punk band. Their second album is rowdy and relentless as ever Pitchfork
Emotionally exhausting yet frequently stunning, this is an effortlessly compelling and haunting addition to Peter Silberman and co’s impressive canon musicOMH
Doja Cat Vie
On Vie, Doja Cat references the 1980s to prove that pop is one of many genres in her wheelhouse. Doja remains an elusive, genre-bending savant PopMatters
Geese Getting Killed
The Brooklyn four-piece’s impressive latest is an album that feels longer than it really is, but still makes you frustrated when it ends Spectrum Culture
Nine Inch Nails Tron: Ares Soundtrack
Until they release a “real” NIN record, at least this one is as real as you want it to be Spectrum Culture
Jade That's Showbiz Baby!
Where That’s Showbiz Baby succeeds as a Europop album, it suffers from severe overproduction and fails to establish Jade with a clear identity outside of Little Mix Spectrum Culture
If Super Snooper is a test run that puts the band onto the next stage, then Worldwide is the proper showcase of what Snooper can efficiently do in their compositions, now pushed to another level with more weight in theme and production Northern Transmissions
Fans and new listeners alike should have no trouble riding shotgun with Duterte – as she reaches for new levels of authenticity The Line Of Best Fit
What once was meticulous and solitary is now plural and porous, Jay Som’s Belong is a study in letting go The Skinny
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
Spiritbox Tsunami Sea
Self Esteem Prioritise Pleasure
Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Skeleton Tree
Frank Ocean Channel Orange