6 January 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
Dry Cleaning Secret Love
Florence Shaw returns to her usual writerly concerns while expanding her methods of delivery The Skinny
The standout act in the sprechgesang wave, the four-piece’s newly expansive sound carries singer Florence Shaw’s distinctive tales of mundane lives spiralling out of control The Guardian
Armand Hammer & The Alchemist Mercy
On their second collaboration with The Alchemist, billy woods and E L U C I D refuse grand answers, turning instead to the quiet labor of endurance—attention, routine, and survival inside a world that won’t stop grinding Paste Magazine
The Lemonheads Love Chant
The band’s first album of original music in 20 years is an undeniably self-conscious comeback, manifesting the existential angst of middle age in sludgier-than-usual riffs, sudden switchups, and some of Evan Dando’s most self-reflective lyrics to date Pitchfork
Perfume Genius Glory
The album’s gestation was not easy, a bout of depression experienced during Covid dragging up old demons. But any sense of despair is marvellously braised with a searing wit Hot Press
Dijon Baby
The man has hits, but Baby is his apotheosis thus far. All Music
Deftones Private Music
private music doesn’t exactly launch Deftones into any unexplored territories, nor does it reimagine the beloved band in any new light. But, as it turns out, Deftones don’t need to do either to squeeze their sound into 2025 Consequence Of Sound
Heartworms Glutton For Punishment
It's an album that invites listeners to confront discomfort, embrace imperfection, and find beauty in some of our darkest and scariest places The Line Of Best Fit
Suede Antidepressants
Britpop stalwarts get abrasive on 10th album Hot Press
Overall, Antidepressants is a nice throwback to ‘80s post-punk music Spill Magazine
With Antidepressants, Suede embrace their station as unlikely alt-rock elder statesmen, crafting an album that embodies a life well lived All Music
A solid, pleasantly dense record from a band who’ve been solid for decades yet DIY
Dove Ellis Blizzard
The ambitious young Irish balladeer crafts a debut album that’s heavy on the drama, letting moments of anthemic beauty peak through his cryptic delivery Pitchfork
Quietstorm of a debut from assured Irish singer-songwriter. Galway-born, Manchester-based musician Dove Ellis arrives fully formed on this self-produced debut, wielding his love of legato phrasing with a dramatic poise that has attracted justifiable comparisons to Jeff Buckley and Rufus Wainwright. Print edition only Uncut
Blood and birds thread menacingly through these often-cruel songs but again and again, Ellis’s choruses suddenly soar heavenward, epiphanies torn from an unblinking heart. Print edition only Mojo
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