5 January 2026
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 studio album of ambient dream pop from the quartet hailing from El Paso, Texas
7.5
The fully-realised, masterfully crafted product of the last nine years of Cigarettes After Sex’s sound Read Review
Surely one of the year's finest. Print edition only
After you’ve heard one song you might think the next one is similar, or even the same on repeat, but once you delve down a little deeper, you will categorically not be disappointed Read Review
In such an apathetic age, material like this really is a dying art; savour it Read Review
What reels listeners in and makes this so easy to play over and over again is the quality of the songwriting Read Review
Slow-burning basslines and a tidal wash of jangling guitars accompany the frontman’s androgynous voice Read Review
Time will tell whether this is as good as Cigarettes After Sex get, but for now, it’s undoubtedly good enough: close your ears to the occasional lyrical gaffe and you might have one of the debut albums of the year Read Review
Don’t be surprised if you need a cigarette after listening Read Review
What saves this El Paso-born, Brooklyn-based group from being just another trafficker of “Lynchian” indie-rock tropes is Gonzalez’s ability to capture moments and stretch them into lusty little pop daydreams Read Review
Greg Gonzalez writes modern love songs set to downbeat dream pop. Much like relationships themselves, the songs on his self-titled debut LP are full of contradictions Read Review
A fresh return to a more strung along style of music that hasn’t been great since the 90’s Read Review
It’s impossible to imagine someone hearing this record and not being transported by at least one of the band’s intimate anecdotes Read Review
This eponymous debut has an almost ethereal quality, bringing love songs and ambience together in one dreamy swoop Read Review
Chronically anti-romantic moments are eclipsed by sweet, somnambulant melodies that may not quicken the pulse but often hypnotize nevertheless Read Review
Roll over video for more options
Cigarettes After Sex: Cigarettes After Sex
Perfume Genius Glory
The album’s gestation was not easy, a bout of depression experienced during Covid dragging up old demons. But any sense of despair is marvellously braised with a searing wit Hot Press
Dijon Baby
The man has hits, but Baby is his apotheosis thus far. All Music
Deftones Private Music
private music doesn’t exactly launch Deftones into any unexplored territories, nor does it reimagine the beloved band in any new light. But, as it turns out, Deftones don’t need to do either to squeeze their sound into 2025 Consequence Of Sound
Heartworms Glutton For Punishment
It's an album that invites listeners to confront discomfort, embrace imperfection, and find beauty in some of our darkest and scariest places The Line Of Best Fit
Suede Antidepressants
Britpop stalwarts get abrasive on 10th album Hot Press
Overall, Antidepressants is a nice throwback to ‘80s post-punk music Spill Magazine
With Antidepressants, Suede embrace their station as unlikely alt-rock elder statesmen, crafting an album that embodies a life well lived All Music
A solid, pleasantly dense record from a band who’ve been solid for decades yet DIY
Dove Ellis Blizzard
The ambitious young Irish balladeer crafts a debut album that’s heavy on the drama, letting moments of anthemic beauty peak through his cryptic delivery Pitchfork
Quietstorm of a debut from assured Irish singer-songwriter. Galway-born, Manchester-based musician Dove Ellis arrives fully formed on this self-produced debut, wielding his love of legato phrasing with a dramatic poise that has attracted justifiable comparisons to Jeff Buckley and Rufus Wainwright. Print edition only Uncut
Blood and birds thread menacingly through these often-cruel songs but again and again, Ellis’s choruses suddenly soar heavenward, epiphanies torn from an unblinking heart. Print edition only Mojo
billy woods GOLLIWOG
Never less than compelling, it confirms him as one of hip hop’s most compelling stylists. Print edition only Record Collector
Prolific veteran rap auteur drops bleak, compelling sequel to Maps. Print edition only Mojo
On Golliwog the Brooklyn rapper confronts real-life horrors with a powerfully bleak vision Rolling Stone
Little Simz Lotus
The UK rapper battled self-doubt and legal woes in the run-up to her sixth album; now, however, framed by uncluttered jazz- and rock-influenced production, she sounds in command and at ease Pitchfork
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
Rosalía Lux
Kendrick Lamar Damn.
D'Angelo And The Vanguard Black Messiah
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Ghosteen
Spiritbox Tsunami Sea
Self Esteem Prioritise Pleasure
Hayley Williams Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party
Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways