14 November 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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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
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Guy Garvey: Courting the Squall
U2 Carnaval de Luz
This is not a radical reinvention of Rattle And Hum-to-Achtung Baby magnitude, or even a wilful evolution akin to that from How To Dismantle An Atom Bomb to No Line On Th Horizon. The ghosts of U2's past are summoned in numbers, though they are frequently mischievously partnered to interestingly incongruous effect. Print edition only Uncut
The Irish legends' best work in 25 years homages their eras, brings Brian Eno to bear on keys and even wheels out the late Dolly Parton musicOMH
Royal Blood Dead Company
It’s a record that sounds exactly like you would hope a new Royal Blood album would sound like, it’s little wonder that they are as big as they are, a consistently fine listen God Is In The TV
Kings Of Leon O My Beloved
With Carnaval De Luz they are not reinventing themselves or trying to be the current flavour of the month. What they do with this album is revisit their older glories and create new music and sound Spill Magazine
U2 return with a defiant and celebratory record that captures them still at the height of their powers Hot Press
This is Lorelei The Singer In My Band
Nate Amos fills his latest album with other people’s stories: some linger, others get lost in the scenery Still Listening
Out for blood! Brighton bruisers Royal Blood blast back-to-basics on fifth album Kerrang!
Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher floor the accelerator and embark on another collision course of energised and uncompromising riff-rock for album number five NME
Dead Company is arguably the best album they’ve released since their debut, but doesn’t exactly come close to topping it Sputnik Music (staff)
Royal Blood's latest album is competently made and frequently enjoyable, but almost entirely foreseeable The Skinny
There are no frills on this fifth set, once again self-produced by Kerr and Thatcher; instead, it provides a brisk hard rock assault that should please the faithful and entice newcomers to dig into their back catalog All Music
Bono and co. return to full strength with a celebration of hope over despair Mojo
Twisted Teens The Holy Cross Tigers
They revamp the work of their progenitors while at the same time transcending it. Never wandering too far from the music that inspires them, Twisted Teens occupy a space that is distinctly theirs Beats Per Minute
Shygirl Swallow!
The UK electronica figurehead takes a sentimental turn on her tender but assured sophomore release Paste Magazine
The Irish stadium legends’ latest is pedantic and ambiguous, rife with centrist pandering that ends up saying nothing at all Paste Magazine
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