21 June 2018
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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Second album of soulful pop from the trio from Perth, Australia led by Jake Webb
6.8
What it may lack in big choruses and instantly hummable hooks, on second and third listens Everything Is Forgotten spreads its metaphorical swan wings and soars majestically around the mirror lake before landing strutting on the shore Read Review
After shedding the occasional musical aimlessness of his debut, Webb has produced a tight, exciting, stonker of an album. Yes, stonker Read Review
A transformation this quick and natural is rarely seen Read Review
A deeply unsettling version of pop music is made to be hummed along to while simultaneously inspiring an existential crisis Read Review
An enigmatic record Read Review
Surrealism and absurdist concepts co-exist with '80s synths, polyrhythmic flourishes and Webb's slippery falsetto Read Review
The potential is clearly still there, but next time they'll really need to embrace and explore it to their full ability if they are to make their mark Read Review
It sounds as if Methyl Ethel are still figuring out who they are, but their ongoing investigation is reasonably enjoyable Read Review
If Methyl Ethel can build on the best bits here we might be looking at a band to really remember on album number three Read Review
Aussie psych-pop trio's hooky, atmospheric second. Print edition only
Methyl Ethel quickly return with an album that questions your hairstyle Read Review
Methyl Ethel might not forge anything very unique in their introspection, yet their power to possess still manages to yield results Read Review
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Methyl Ethel: Everything Is Forgotten
Gang Gang Dance Kazuashita
The tracks all flow into each other, giving the album the feel of a particularly eclectic DJ mix, and overall it proves to be a fascinating, varied, atmospheric release that was thoroughly worth the wait music OMH
Returning with an introspective take on their ecstatic psychedelic, worldbeat induced vision for experimental music, Gang Gang Dance reveal that there are levels to this band PopMatters
The world's an ugly place, for sure, but New York art-pop innovators find beauty in nature on their triumphant sixth album NME
The sheer beauty and mystery of 'Kazuashita' makes it feel like a timeless classic The Music
Kamasi Washington Heaven & Earth
The US saxophonist has found his time and it is now: this excellent album connects politics with the jazz of the past to create an angrily inclusive new vision The Guardian
The Carters Everything Is Love
They sound both aware of and immersed in the culture surrounding them while fully settled into their own reality as billionaires. In essence, they are Black, rich and famous, in that order NOW
With its forward-thinking, deep-searching nature counterbalanced by a natural warmth and populist, groove-heavy approach, it’s another hugely accomplished work by a man whose prolific run of form shows no signs of abating Record Collector
This is the rare jazz record that feels equipped to venture outside the genre's familiar borders and engage with the wider world. Print edition only Uncut
Washington's gift for euphonic arrangements and eagerness to explore new forms is evident throughout. Print edition only Q
A series of near-overwhelming musical epiphanies. Print edition only Mojo
Sophie Oil Of Every Pearl's Un-Insides
No man, nor woman, could replicate this album. The intricacy of the sounds of tracks like Infatuation and Not Okay are sure signs of a master Gig Soup
Nas NASIR
Overall Nasir is disappointingly heedless Exclaim
The Magic Gang The Magic Gang
All the elements that have made for their most enjoyable material are still here, and the band shows they are just as capable as they have always been at captivating listeners Exclaim
Uniform & The Body Mental Wounds Not Healing
Judging in broad strokes doesn’t give much room for considering why their recent work has been so well received Earbuddy
Chromeo Head Over Heels
The album is banging for the most part and arrives on perfect time for your summer playlists Earbuddy
Since we've been around, that is. So, the highest-rated albums from the past eight years or so. Rankings are calculated to two decimal places.
Kendrick Lamar To Pimp A Butterfly
Kendrick Lamar Damn.
D'Angelo And The Vanguard Black Messiah
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Skeleton Tree
Frank Ocean Channel Orange
Anaïs Mitchell Hadestown
Kanye West My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Leonard Cohen You Want It Darker
Sufjan Stevens Carrie & Lowell
Mount Eerie A Crow Looked at Me