19 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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Third album and first since reforming in 2011 from the New York-based Japanese avant-pop duo released on Sean Lennon's label
6.7
The supernaturally surreal songs of Hotel Valentine are humorous, charmingly eccentric, challenging, accessible and deftly ingenious Read Review
Ostensibly a supernatural tale, Hotel Valentine challenges the listener to reflect on life, death, and nothingness. Whether that inspires joy or terror depends on you, but it'll inspire something Read Review
Given Cibo Matto’s 15-year disappearance, the record is a surprising achievement, more mature than their past work, but still “out there” in that charming Cibo Matto way Read Review
It only takes a brief acknowledgement of the conceptual thrust behind Hotel Valentine to get the feeling that their reunion has a more intent purpose than mere let's-get-the-band-back-together restlessness Read Review
Their bright sound is a touch moodier on their first album in 15 years Read Review
We're lured in by the lulling groove of 'Housekeeping', the playful vocalizing of guest Reggie Watts keeping the disquiet at bay for a little bit. But then that maid keeps saying she's going to "set us free," And then, before we know it, we're floating Read Review
A fine addition to the limited canon of colorful post-punk all-girl trip-hop records, but can’t avoid sounding like the relic that label implies Read Review
This loose, wonky concept album about ghosts living in a hotel is a callback to the genre-twisting irreverence which made their unusual debut LP (10 songs about food!) a mid-'90s alternative era staple, but Hotel Valentine isn't free of dust and cobwebs Read Review
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Cibo Matto: Hotel Valentine
Haroumi Hosono Yours Sincerely
By the time you softly float out of Hosono’s world on the fairground closer ‘Anemo Wheel’ you’ll find yourself desperately flicking back to the first track, to play the album again and get a better understanding of the textural approach Far Out
Beabadoobee Pylon
Beabadoobee’s latest offering has appeal, but that’s only if you prefer to take your rock music highly manufactured Far Out
Struggles to live up to her strengths The Line Of Best Fit
Laus circles the dynamics of her electrifying debut Fake It Flowers, but never quite recaptures its precise power. Print edition only Mojo
Another stellar record. Print edition only Record Collector
Members of Turnstile, Deftones, Paramore, and Pinegrove push Bea Kristi toward slightly grungier, angstier territory on her fourth album Pitchfork
The Dirty Hit signee embraces uncertainty on a rawer, more forceful fourth album NME
On her excellent fourth album, the young star pumps all her doubts and fears into righteous guitar noise Rolling Stone
This is where she came from, this is what shaped her, and she’s the one at the helm DIY
The Filipino-British songwriter’s fourth album sprinkles 90s alt fuzz with disarmingly sweet melodies and an impressive host of guests including Paramore’s Hayley Williams and Turnstile’s Brendan Yates The Guardian
Beatrice Laus comes full circle on her fourth album, a return to the soaring pop-punk of her early days and her most consistent release to date musicOMH
Pylon is a powerful marker — a sign of how possible it is to make music that's as filled with unselfconscious pop catharsis as it is with ragged, irreplaceable soul Exclaim
Beck Ride Lonesome
There is still wonder in his music, only now it comes from refinement rather than reinvention Clash
Echo And The Bunnymen Apples For Isaac
Echo & The Bunnymen’s first album in more than a decade is a resounding success that both band and production team can take great pride in. The Liverpool greats rise to the occasion, expertly balancing darkness and pain with optimism, hope and love Clash
Final part to the deeply heartfelt trilogy of albums in response to his divorce is wondrous and uniquely uplifting musicOMH
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