3 March 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.
Browse specific styles
Debut solo album from the Elbow frontman with the help of members from I Am Kloot and The Whip
7.0
Finds Garvey and his “favourite players outside Elbow” on superlative, genre-hopping form. Print edition only
For fans it’s a win-win: another angle on one of Britain’s best songwriters. Print edition only
Lyrically, as ever, Garvey's skill lies in combining romantic poeticism with sandpaper wit Read Review
A collection of songs from a musician unencumbered by expectation or industry pressure Read Review
Courting the Squall sees him engage with similar topics, but the music is different (and possibly signposts Elbow’s next steps?) Read Review
This is the best album Garvey has worked on since The Seldom Seen Kid Read Review
As vivid and beautiful as Elbow Read Review
Garvey goes down a storm with songs straight from the heart Read Review
As down-to-earth and likeable as its creator, this is an enjoyable collection that mostly avoids the pitfalls of solo albums by members of successful bands that are still very much a going concern Read Review
Ultimately, 'Courting the Squall' is full of engaging charm and portrays all of the romanticism and wit that Guy Garvey has undoubtedly become known for Read Review
A very hit and miss project Read Review
There's not a lot of squall in Elbow frontman Guy Garvey's solo debut, but there are more than enough promising moments to justify this eclectic venture Read Review
Nuanced music for grownups Read Review
His solo work casts an intriguing light on the songwriter’s day job, but stands up on its own as a fine piece of work Read Review
‘Courting…’’s most alluring moves, though, come with the brilliant junkyard blues bits; ‘Angela’s Eyes’ and ‘Yesterday’ Read Review
Many of these homely songs feel like they should have been on Build A Rocket Boys, but without the jagged bluster Read Review
How much you value such gently experimental foraging over Elbow’s typically rousing melodies might determine your enjoyment of this Read Review
Roll over video for more options
Guy Garvey: Courting the Squall
Bdrmm Microtonic
The quartet’s increasingly electronica-based textures convey a sense of tension and unease on their third album The Guardian
Ichiko Aoba Luminescent Creatures
The cult Japanese singer-songwriter’s new album, inspired by the Ryukyu islands, is like a powerfully soothing sound bath The Guardian
Darkside Nothing
Guided by the idea of wiping the slate clean, Nicolás Jaar and Dave Harrington’s third album is a raw, surprisingly funky, desperately hopeful response to the chaos of the 2020s Pitchfork
The New York trio have made an album almost bursting with ideas, one that, given the time, you’ll want to live with for months to come musicOMH
The musical quality and innovative ideas at the heart of these works are undeniable, and Darkside have clearly poured a lot of inspiration into the album. Ultimately, though, its lack of cohesion makes for a sluggish listening experience Far Out
Nothing is a refreshing exercise in disorientation, rewarding those willing to let go and get lost in its unpredictable soundscape Northern Transmissions
There's a formlessness to the greater endeavour that ensures it's somehow less than its constituent parts. Still, the likes of subterranean Latin shuffle American Reference possess an invention and mystery that makes this an endlessly fascinating place to get lost. Print edition only Mojo
Darkside opens up on Nothing with a playfully weird set of baroque pop that takes in bluesy '70s skanking and cavernous grooves. Print edition only Uncut
On the third record, DARKSIDE are happy to remain unfixed, bumping between fun and familiar grooves with an element of chaos The Skinny
The songs on Microtonic simply aren't as memorable as the highlights of their debut. It sounds impressive, but it exists in a sort of netherworld between expansive sonic exploration and fully engaging songwriting All Music
A deep love for dance music and invigorating writing infuses the band’s third record with an incredible vitality NME
‘Microtonic’s’ Balearic/rave undercurrents suggest bdrmm would be happy to be faceless, akin to a DJ The Arts Desk
It's a beautiful soundscape to get thoroughly lost in. Print edition only Mojo
There's a powerful, invigorating beauty about their best work yet. Print edition only Record Collector
Boldest of all is the grimy techno pulse and bass thrum of "Lake Disappointment", which pulls off a stylistic switch while maintaining the winningly smoky atmosphere of the album as a whole. Print edition only Uncut
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
Self Esteem Prioritise Pleasure
Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Skeleton Tree
Frank Ocean Channel Orange
Dave We’re All Alone In This Together