22 July 2017
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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Ninth album from the Richmond, Virgina rock singer-songwriter
7.9
Silky earworms of the highest order, with Mann admirably making solitude and sadness entities that should be inhabited instead of spurned Read Review
Mental Illness lays its hurt and sadness out so effectively that it’s hard to completely accept it as pure fiction Read Review
As elegantly dark as a wrought iron gate. Print edition only
As in good short stories, every element in her songs works to support a single theme Read Review
This is not a flash album, there are no virtuoso flourishes by any of the players. Every note has been carefully positioned to frame her voice in a sympathetic and supportive way and recorded simply and elegantly Read Review
It's no maudlin affair, because of its insistent melodies and deft lyrics. Print edition only
Becomes something of a balm for troubled times; it's an album that finds reassurance within the darkest corners Read Review
One of Mann's most ravishing and affecting hymns to solitude Read Review
A compelling consistency of mood makes Metal Illness easy to get lost in Read Review
The music adds a gentle beauty to the proceedings, sometimes in contrast to the heaviness of what Mann sings about Read Review
Mental Illness is Aimee Mann’s quintessential statement, tempering the discord of life with elegant chamber folk. Mann fills her songs with ordinary people struggling against operatic levels of pain Read Review
Mann embraces the sadness of her music Read Review
If there’s ever been any doubt as to Mann’s poetic sensibilities, let them be laid to rest Read Review
Eminently listenable and proves that there is always room for downbeat folk in your collection Read Review
Remains more of the same, never quite hitting any peaks, and never missing a step either Read Review
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Aimee Mann: Mental Illness
Dizzee Rascal Raskit
Fresh and forward-looking - vulnerability offset by cheekiness' Evening Standard
Declan McKenna What Do You Think About The Car?
Political messages packaged inside great pop songs Evening Standard
Lo Tom Lo Tom
It’s got some of his most aerodynamic songs in over a decade, but suffers from redundancy Pitchfork
Childhood Universal High
A summer soul smash. Print edition only Mojo
Boris Dear
Celebrate their quarter century in seismic style. Print edition only Mojo
Avey Tare Eucalyptus
These immersive 63 minutes mostly ripple with hallucinatory effect, overdubs virtually free of beats. Print edition only Mojo
Arcade Fire Everything Now
State of the union address from the Montreal sextet. Print edition only Mojo
As twinkly-toed as debuts come. Print edition only Q
Serves up smart, sweet-sounding indie pop music that comes with a well-justified sting The Irish Times
A thought provoking, powerful record, showcasing Declan's lyrical talent as well as the bands incredible musical ability Gig Soup
This 18-year-old’s politically charged debut is a powerful love letter to the youth NME
Opening with a rush of pure pop before moving onto more serious topics, McKenna’s debut bursts into life with a point to prove and those aims have certainly been fulfilled The Line Of Best Fit
Sun-soaked protest songs The Guardian
A floppy-haired teen singer-songwriter Declan may be - Jake Bugg he’s definitely not DIY
A dense and challenging listen DIY
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