19 August 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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Latest solo release from the noise rock pioneer and Sonic Youth co-founder and third since the band split in 2011
7.1
Even without the Youth by his side, Ranaldo can still forge the most glorious soundscapes Read Review
Stepping further from the shadow of Sonic Youth, Lee Ranaldo delivers solo album number 12 and it flows like wine into a glass Read Review
Lee is free - and it sounds wonderful. Print edition only
Virtually everything here, in its own edgy manner, points to light, hope and the endless possibility of the human spirit Read Review
Recorded in both Barcelona and NYC, a convergence of the two cities' settings can be found throughout, but none more so than Ranaldo's duet with Sharon Van Etten on "Last Looks" Read Review
The hidden complexity of Ranaldo's guitar work is layered over straighter rock songs while his vocals have taken a folkier turn Read Review
Lee Ranaldo serves up his latest record with both electric and acoustic trimmings Read Review
His finest post-Sonic Youth solo effort Read Review
What it lacks in surprises it makes up for in songcraft. Print edition only
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Animal Collective Tangerine Reef
AC plumb depths of paucity more than subtlety in this wilfully desolate expanse of dispassionate vocals and vague, awkward ambience The Observer
Ariana Grande Sweetener
Luscious and renewed The Observer
Mitski Be The Cowboy
Thrillingly dark bait-and-switch pop The Guardian
Slaves Acts Of Fear And Love
This pair are one of the most exciting and forward-charging rock bands currently active The Line Of Best Fit
Fifteen tracks that put a smile on your face and a tear in your eye The Line Of Best Fit
While their tales are sharp, Slaves’ performance frequently apes Sham 69’s Chas and Dave-style punk The Arts Desk
Death Cab For Cutie Thank You for Today
Following the divorce-like departure of founding member Chris Walla, Death Cab fans get a new stepdad in his replacement, the Oregon songwriter Dave Depper. The result is perhaps a little too harmonious NME
The Kent punks reinvigorate their sound to brilliant effect on album number three, expanding their breakneck tunes into arena territory NME
What marks this album out from Slaves’ first two records is the range Holman and Vincent have proven they possess The Independent
The stirring opening of a new chapter in this band’s already storied history DIY
It furthers her ability to create immersive worlds to fall into DIY
The Coral Move Through The Dawn
Another fascinating work added to their canon DIY
The Beths Future Me Hates Me
The debut from Auckland indie rockers is just really impressive—hook-filled songs filled with energy and attitude, written with depth and played masterfully Pitchfork
Cullen Omori The Diet
Rethinks and revitalizes the classic love song A.V. Club
“Second chances can only get better” is the triumphant attitude in “Last Line”, and The Diet is a warm, glimmering, vibrant testament to that The Line Of Best Fit
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