17 May 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.
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Fifth studio record from the Irish singer-songwriter, produced by T Bone Burnett and featuring guest appearances from Jools Holland and Jeff Beck
7.4
As if to assert herself, the songs on May’s boldly titled new album Life, Love, Flesh, Blood show her operating with a much greater degree of savvy and moxie Read Review
11 strong songs, which ache, break and twang as craftily as they do sincerely. Print edition only
Features May doing what she does best with that inimitable voice Read Review
Ditching her usual rambunctious rock ‘n’ roll for the bittersweets of jazz and soft soul, May focuses on the theme of lost love alongside deeper musings on childhood, religion and mortality Read Review
One of those albums where not only will you not want to skip any tracks, but many are tunes to stick on repeat all day Read Review
There are endless musical references and an easy embrace of the styles that have influenced her Read Review
Classic songwriting at its finest Read Review
It helps that someone as empathetic as producer T Bone Burnett casts a Spectoresque eye over the majority of the songs Read Review
Her most impassioned vocal is reserved for the gospel waltz “When It’s My Time”, to which Jools Holland adds sensitive piano Read Review
Her most personal collection to date Read Review
Burnett's reliably polished, sometimes even laidback, settings allow plenty of room for grit and sweat. Print edition only
A powerful new direction. Print edition only
There are earworms aplenty, whether they’re barnstorming singalongs or drowsy coos Read Review
A new look, a new sound, the same great voice. A solid start for phase two Read Review
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Imelda May: Life Love Flesh Blood
Tune-Yards Better Dreaming
These 11 songs brim with images of armed men, noxious air and entitled egotists, intermingled with notions of self-liberation and community solidarity. But the sonics too often seem stuck in Garbus's past. Print edition only Mojo
They're following their "first thought" instincts while allowing space for the full expression of Garbus's mighty soul voice. Print edition only Uncut
Billy Nomates Metalhorse
Altogether, with added depth and melody, it’s Maries’ best yet. Print edition only Mojo
The dilapidated English fairground has served as a metaphor for the vicissitudes of the music business for everyone from Ray Davies to Kevin Ayers, but it's rarely been so vividly, furiously and poignantly realised. Print edition only Uncut
Rico Nasty Lethal
Very much out there in her own lane, Rico Nasty attacks each song with purpose Clash
The rapper's latest LP, Lethal, matches her characteristic raw energy with a rock-influenced sound and introspective tone Rolling Stone
The ideas are present, but the urgency and edge that once defined her work feel dialled back The Arts Desk
An alluring feat that feels just as trendy as it is against the grain DIY
Perhaps mastering a sense of duality is what Rico Nasty is gunning for – harsh and soft, or trap and rock Kerrang!
billy woods GOLLIWOG
The American rapper dwells on scary things – both fictional and real – for his latest album musicOMH
Tor Maries’ third album is testimony to the fact that whatever doesn’t kill you does indeed make you stronger musicOMH
Kali Uchis Sincerely
The singer-songwriter’s new album is a phantasmagoria of pleasure—the perfect complement to her talent for keeping her cool Pitchfork
William Tyler Time Indefinite
William Tyler’s Time Indefinite is an experimental ambient record from a guy who isn’t known for making experimental ambient albums A.V. Club
Viagra Boys viagr aboys
As always, they make wallowing together in the dirt and filth seem like great fun Under The Radar
Kali Uchis’ Sincerely, is another near-perfect release from the singer—and an affirmation that true love and young motherhood make for a plethora of inspiration 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
Spiritbox Tsunami Sea
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