14 September 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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Album no. 4 is a heavy one for the Atlanta, Georgia indie rockers
6.5
A band that have found their sound, are comfortable in their skin, and improving rapidly Read Review
Despite its flaws, Simple Math went Top 30 in the US. The infinitely superior Cope might expand their reach further. Print edition only
Though they’re still mining the same vein they have for a decade, they’re still churning out gems too Read Review
More than just the sound of a band getting by; it's the sound of Manchester Orchestra at their best Read Review
Cope is all about the brutal force of dirty, meaty guitars, and lots of them Read Review
The songs are fast and short; the energy throughout the album is infectious and continuous Read Review
Sustained power and little in the way of variety can make for quick fatigue, but at just 38 minutes long ‘Cope’ has hooks and energy to spare Read Review
Has the feel of a band playing it safe on their first self-recorded, self-produced album Read Review
The best part of Hull’s songwriting is still present: the razor-sharp lyrical hooks that can be sung over and over again Read Review
This album sets lyrics about shaky adulthood to meat-and-potatoes guitar rock (think MMJ via Foo Fighters Read Review
Manchester’s Orchestra’s success highlights an ability to create heavy rock moments that don’t drag their audience down Read Review
Plaintive emo vocals, grungy riffs and Pixies-style stop-start dynamics, all put together deftly and embellished by punchy, bright production Read Review
It's becoming pretty clear that the genre in which Manchester Orchestra resides has more untapped potential than the band itself Read Review
With this album and previous album Simple Math, the band has completely abandoned their delicate, softer arrangements and gone in a direction that doesn’t really set them apart anymore Read Review
Exhilarating if unrelenting. Print edition only
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Manchester Orchestra: Cope
David Byrne Who Is The Sky
The artist’s new album of bright, bustling pop is positioned as a celebration of reasons to be cheerful. Often its fountain of optimism feels like a firehose of forced positivity Pitchfork
Ed Sheeran Play
On the enjoyably moreish Play, the ‘culturally Irish’ star sounds as if he’s back on form. Although we’ve only had time for a quick listen The Irish Times
Baxter Dury Allbarone
This record plays like his shot for glory, and with tracks as hooky and well-constructed as "Mockingjay" or the title track, there's no reason he shouldn't hit the big time All Music
Parcels Loved
While not for cynics, LOVED is a late-summer delight that comes at audiences with open arms. Comfortable dancing shoes recommended for listening All Music
Parcels have built something contagious here, with a joy that leaves you feeling that little bit lighter when you’re done with it Dork
Loved is a departure for Parcels but one that is constantly invigorating, the group are clearly incredibly relaxed and that is reflected in the calming, and highly enjoyable soundscape they have created on this record The Line Of Best Fit
The star of this entire record is without question the harmonies. They are razor sharp, technically astounding and forever charming, leaving you wanting more of them at the close of every song Far Out
Maruja Pain To Power
They really have taken a complicated moment and made it into a fantastic piece of music Far Out
Incredible lead single Look Down On Us is just one of three tunes here that capture Maruja’s free-flowing approach by stretching out to the 10-minute mark Kerrang!
The Manchester jazz-punks let loose on their savage debut album through cathartic outpourings of fury, despair and love NME
The thrill of this band is the extremes. From moshpits one minute and silence the next, they are in command with their music, unifying the crowd God Is In The TV
This band and this record want you to punch a hole in the wall, ask if you're willing to step through it – and then beckon others to do the same The Line Of Best Fit
Maruja emerge from the studio with raucous rap-rock and meandering jam music in tow, resulting in an album full of the same songs several times over. By the end, listeners may feel they have deja vu. Fans may feel they have dementia The Quietus
Rage-infused music of dissolution Clash
Jade That's Showbiz Baby!
Debut solo album by Little Mix singer is packed with incident and a multitude of musical styles 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
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