29 September 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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Stripped down indie rock from ex-Kings of Convenience guitarist Erlend Øye and his band
5.3
An album not massive on uniqueness but completely savvy of perfect execution. Read Review
There’s something oddly refreshing about refrain in an indie world which is often too full of bloated, wounded emotion. Read Review
As catchy as much of Rules is, that hesitancy brings about an imbalance of mood... though at least the potential remixes could be interesting. Read Review
Øye's curiously affecting, aloof voice works especially well set against the summery nature of the tunes. Read Review
The band's name isn't ironic at all: this is white music - it's pallid, bloodless and in need of a holiday to somewhere hotter than Rules' grey musical landscape. Read Review
Jamiroquai-like pillow-pop... but this is one we’d happily take the wire-cutters to. Read Review
Rules may not be the shape of what’s to come, but there’s also little offence to be found in its unobtrusive ways. Read Review
At times recalling Jamiroquai's most soulless moments. Read Review
…an accomplished cartographer of the human heart, but the skeletal settings of The Whitest Boy Alive aren't the best support for his songs. Read Review
Norway's Erlend Oye is bestowed with an utterly beguiling voice... thin, almost empty, disco sound of TWBA's latest album feels like a weak accompaniment. Read Review
The Whitest Boy Alive: Rules
Blondshell Violins
Sabrina Teitelbaum’s third album explores new subject matter while maintaining her signature sound Paste Magazine
Julia Jacklin The Gem
The Melbourne indie rocker explores autonomy and love from an omnipotent perspective Paste Magazine
Protomartyr Hotel Usona
It is undoubtedly the most mature collection of songs the band released yet and that excitement that appears every time they announce a new LP paid off once more Sputnik Music (staff)
Miley Cyrus Bass Persuades
After a daring and impressive ninth album, Miley Cyrus rebrands by going back to basics with a boring, cliched release that’s often unpleasant to listen to Spectrum Culture
With more confidence, sparseness and sharpness, Julia Jacklin’s The Gem features some of her most direct and affecting songs yet Spectrum Culture
Jungle Sunshine
While Sunshine successfully bottles a cohesive mood, the album’s primary limitation across these 11 tracks is its reluctance to depart from an established formula Spectrum Culture
Orville Peck Mule
A punchy collection of country songs overflowing with morose stories, emotional growth and electric music Spectrum Culture
Some of his most insightful storytelling and his boldest vision of country music yet. Print edition only Uncut
Narratively, it's among Peck's strongest work. Musically, however, it just doesn't quite click Exclaim
Fourth album from the masked country singer is a searingly honest, sometimes wryly humorous account of the breakdown he experienced in 2023 musicOMH
The country singer’s fourth album follows one of the most harrowing years of his life, revealing the man behind the mask for his most soul-baring, personal music yet Paste Magazine
The South African-born country singer’s latest album is a hell-and-back tale of addiction and redemption. But where other artists might opt for austerity, Peck goes all in on his usual pomp Pitchfork
His most powerful and thoughtful album to date All Music
Bloc Party Anatomy Of A Brief Romance
Kele Okereke is less interested in letting us in than he is in just airing things out, and the experience is about as pleasant as that sounds Spectrum Culture
Carly Rae Jepsen Day & Night
If the words ‘double album’ fill your mind with images of prog synth lords and dread, fear not: Carly Rae Jepsen’s new album is a beautiful banquet stacked with treats that cater for many tastes God Is In The TV
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