15 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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Third solo album from the ex Beta Band frontman, produced by Elbow’s Craig Potter
7.7
Direct, uncomplicated and beautifully affecting Read Review
Capable of moving and energising its audience in equal measure, Mason has refined his art to a remarkable extent. He’ll have a job bettering it, but you’d be unwise to bet against it Read Review
The most concise and immediate record Mason has released in over a decade Read Review
Fans of any of Mason's earlier projects will find something to love on what is easily the gifted popsmith's best solo effort to date Read Review
Witty, uplifting, tear-jerking and improves with every repeat listen Read Review
Closing track “Words in My Head” marks the breakthrough, a rousing conclusion to a fine album Read Review
Doesn’t demonstrate the same anger or variety of Mason's earlier releases, but it is one of the most cohesive releases of his long career. Read Review
Brit shape-shifter hits his solo creative peak. Print edition only
Songs of warmth and hope from Beta Band survivor Read Review
Mason’s songwriting has never before sounded so beautifully at peace, buoyed by the weightlessness of emotional resolution Read Review
Now in his early 40s, Mason sounds like an artist finally finding his creative stride Read Review
Meet the Humans evolves into something that's both gentler and more experimental, while at the same time being very recognisably Mason Read Review
Expansive, victorious third from experimental pop survivor Read Review
Everything feels bigger, brighter and breezier Read Review
Overall there is a notable lack of risk, which makes the album feel too safe Read Review
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Steve Mason: Meet The Humans
U2 Carnaval de Luz
On their first album of new songs in nearly a decade, even earnest Bono-isms carry weight amid music that is impassioned and rejuvenated The Guardian
Letting loose and finding renewed purpose, U2 have delivered one of their most fun and engaging albums with Carnaval De Luz, a celebratory injection of positive vibes to both the world and this band All Music
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
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