28 March 2024
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 release of alt-folk with bluegrass overtones from the London band
6.1
Soul-stirring and for much of the time uplifting, the bangs of their banjo and euphoric bluegrass beats make this lot’s trade seem untouchable Read Review
Print edition only
Mumford’s platitudes would normally grate on me, but they’re surprisingly easy to forgive when they’re being howled over the Sons’ locomotive folk-rock Read Review
‘Sigh No More’ is a fine debut from a band that’s patiently picked up the tools of its trade, and chosen the right moment to give them full rein Read Review
Mumford's desperation, elevated in TNT dynamics, can be thrilling Read Review
Even when the songs - as they invariably do - cut loose into the hoedown section, with bluegrass banjo underpinning acoustic guitars, strings and horns, there's the sense they are holding back. Read Review
What's missing here, apart from an antidotal dose of Dawkinism, is a modicum of self-restraint. Sigh No More is so earnest it weeps holy water, from theatrical drum rolls to jiggedy banjo riffs to trumpeting fanfares that are too bloody obvious to swallow. Read Review
...the disc’s melting pot of genres makes Sigh No More an album that’ll warrant multiple listens Read Review
Marcus Mumford thinks that if he sings about ""heart"", ""purity"" and ""passion"" enough, some of these may rub off. They don't Read Review
For music that ostensibly prizes the appearance of honesty and confession, Sigh No More sounds surprisingly anonymous, giving a sense of the band as engaged music listeners but not as real people Read Review
Mumford & Sons: Sigh No More
Tyla Tyla
TYLA will remain as the expertly crafted record that allowed amapiano a moment to shine before new audiences Beats Per Minute
TYLA’s debut album taps into the emerging energies of spring to produce one of 2024’s most insistent projects. The world is hers Clash
The South African singer follows the success of "Water" with a sweet full-length statement Rolling Stone
There are plenty of savvy, intriguing ideas on this self-titled debut that show off the South African artist's range NME
TYLA is turned up to 11 – there is little emotional or energetic dynamism on the album, but every song is club-ready, danceable and infectious The Line Of Best Fit
Julia Holter Something in the Room She Moves
The LA musician's latest processes difficult life changes while juggling them with gratitude for new beginnings, but does so in a manner that mirrors how these conflicts really feel, creating something evocative and challenging even in its more muted turns Paste Magazine
Elbow Audio Vertigo
Guy Garvey and company return with renewed energy, a punchier attack and infectious grooves on Elbow’s tenth studio album, Audio Vertigo PopMatters
Julia Holter drips her semi-conscious thoughts on the musical canvas to access her artistic sensibility, but she seems a bit unsure of the process PopMatters
Empress Of For Your Consideration
Lorely Rodriguez’s fourth album is a dazzling showcase for her unexpected vocal and production approach as she experiences the peaks and valleys of heated romance Pitchfork
Gossip Real Power
Beth Ditto’s second solo LP turned into a full-fledged Gossip comeback once her bandmates got involved. Rick Rubin captures the carefree vibes of old friends enjoying each other’s company Pitchfork
If her latest is any proof, Rodriguez is finally comfortable with herself – not just as a writer who excels at leaving melodies on your tongue, but as a lover, a dancer, and her own shooting star Clash
Waxahatchee Tigers Blood
With Tigers Blood, Katie Crutchfield has consolidated her position as one of the finest songwriters in modern independent music Beats Per Minute
Elbow are back! Northern Transmissions
On her sixth album, Katie Crutchfield teams up with MJ Lenderman, the Cook brothers and Spencer Tweedy to create hard-won and time-worn brilliance Paste Magazine
Tierra Whack World Wide Whack
The influential but less-than-prolific Philly rapper returns with a spare, casually compelling full length 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
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