20 September 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 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
Wednesday Bleeds
It has all the ingredients and themes explored, the witty lyrics depicting eccentric narratives, soulful steel and melodic guitar, whether scratchy or tender Clash
Biffy Clyro Futique
It’s a good effort in their catalogue with some shining moments, but it’s unlikely to invite those in who aren’t already fans of the band Clash
Karly Hartzman leads her North Carolina band in another triumph. The careful songwriting and coiled performances wrestle with the many fiascos of life and love Pitchfork
Alice Cooper The Revenge Of Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper still possess artistry in spades. As their new album reveals, the band’s musical bond was too strong to be broken by time—or even by death PopMatters
Kieran Hebden and William Tyler 41 Longfield Street Late ‘80s
It’s ultimately futile to fight the album’s considerable charms, culminating in “When It Rains”, a low-lit, minimalist beauty that eventually curdles into a storm of fiercely shrieking guitar feedback and electronic dissonance The Line Of Best Fit
Bringing some straight up country sounds to the mix broadens Hartzman’s palette and the added variety makes Bleeds an across the board winner Under The Radar
Jade That's Showbiz Baby!
Jade has released one of the most fun, ambitious and varied debut albums of the year. It was more than worth the wait God Is In The TV
NewDad Altar
Dawson resists, bawling the word 'hate' on the scathing 'Roobosh', as if she were Poly Styrene or Siouxsie Sioux The Arts Desk
Not too extreme, but also not safe; Biffy Clyro soar elegantly here The Arts Desk
With more eyes on Wednesday than ever before, Karly Hartzman has delivered a record that’s lean, confrontational and lived-in NME
Looking inward for a reason to go on, the Scottish rock legends draw on their best moments and a Bowie-esque European sheen for a vulnerable yet life-affirming blast NME
On the indie rock outfit’s fourth album, darkness and humor uplift each other with jocose morbidity as Karly Hartzman’s pen amplifies them both Paste Magazine
Maruja Pain To Power
Musically, Pain to Power doesn’t stick to one genre. The raw edge of post-punk collides with jazz, doom, rap-rock, and post-rock ambience Northern Transmissions
Bleeds is an album of being kept awake by the trivial, a collage of bleary-eyed snapshots of the humorously mundane and our attempts to wrestle with their unsightliness Northern Transmissions
Violent Nature might be the most honest record I Prevail have given us in their quick rise. Having come through big change, they’re embracing their new reality, and delivering on their promise to be one of the finest metalcore acts of their time Kerrang!
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
Spiritbox Tsunami Sea
Self Esteem Prioritise Pleasure
Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Skeleton Tree
Frank Ocean Channel Orange