17 May 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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Thirteenth studio album from the seminal English ambient house duo
7.5
This album is ultimately a new essential chapter in the Orb’s discography and a source of inspiration for decades of electronic production to come Read Review
Has languid, spaced-out beats, clattering echoes and jungle tom-toms, but almost imperceptibly evolves into a mangled orchestral dub Read Review
Proves that his space academy can still churn out excellent results. Print edition only
An album heaving with ideas, but just coherent enough to stick together as one piece of work Read Review
Feels both old and impossibly futuristic at the same time – much like watching actual footage of the lunar landings Read Review
Tailored for the close listener in all of us—not to pick up on the details themselves, but to witness the many details interacting with one another as they wash over you in a mental state of zero gravity Read Review
It sounds like serious sci-fi business Read Review
Each production here feels less like a 10-minute single than a condensed DJ set, and The Orb navigate these spaces with a fresh wind in their sails Read Review
An immersive, imaginative journey into the unknown that, unfortunately, won't end up being the space travel concept album of the year. Public Service Broadcasting have already locked that down. Top marks for effort though Read Review
Full of masterful control of mood and atmosphere but too unfocused to really raise the temperature Read Review
The duo maintain their ambition, putting together four sonically challenging tracks that range between nine and 15 minutes in length Read Review
Deep into the band's middle-age they excel at entertaining those who appreciate what they do, letting others worry about converting the unbelievers Read Review
A consistently satisfying groove machine, and a worthy entry to the upper ranks of the Orb canon Read Review
Some moments on Moonbuilding show the Orb, if not regaining their form, then offering up decent ambient music. But elsewhere they revert back to a formlessness that's devoid of their quirky stoner persona Read Review
Cosmic ambient-house pioneers continue to boldly go out there. Print edition only
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The Orb: Moonbuilding 2703 AD
Tune-Yards Better Dreaming
These 11 songs brim with images of armed men, noxious air and entitled egotists, intermingled with notions of self-liberation and community solidarity. But the sonics too often seem stuck in Garbus's past. Print edition only Mojo
They're following their "first thought" instincts while allowing space for the full expression of Garbus's mighty soul voice. Print edition only Uncut
Billy Nomates Metalhorse
Altogether, with added depth and melody, it’s Maries’ best yet. Print edition only Mojo
The dilapidated English fairground has served as a metaphor for the vicissitudes of the music business for everyone from Ray Davies to Kevin Ayers, but it's rarely been so vividly, furiously and poignantly realised. Print edition only Uncut
Rico Nasty Lethal
Very much out there in her own lane, Rico Nasty attacks each song with purpose Clash
The rapper's latest LP, Lethal, matches her characteristic raw energy with a rock-influenced sound and introspective tone Rolling Stone
The ideas are present, but the urgency and edge that once defined her work feel dialled back The Arts Desk
An alluring feat that feels just as trendy as it is against the grain DIY
Perhaps mastering a sense of duality is what Rico Nasty is gunning for – harsh and soft, or trap and rock Kerrang!
billy woods GOLLIWOG
The American rapper dwells on scary things – both fictional and real – for his latest album musicOMH
Tor Maries’ third album is testimony to the fact that whatever doesn’t kill you does indeed make you stronger musicOMH
Kali Uchis Sincerely
The singer-songwriter’s new album is a phantasmagoria of pleasure—the perfect complement to her talent for keeping her cool Pitchfork
William Tyler Time Indefinite
William Tyler’s Time Indefinite is an experimental ambient record from a guy who isn’t known for making experimental ambient albums A.V. Club
Viagra Boys viagr aboys
As always, they make wallowing together in the dirt and filth seem like great fun Under The Radar
Kali Uchis’ Sincerely, is another near-perfect release from the singer—and an affirmation that true love and young motherhood make for a plethora of inspiration Spectrum Culture
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
Spiritbox Tsunami Sea
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
