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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Brian Oblivion and Madeline Follin's third studio album of indie pop/rock
6.7
Cults have returned with a very strong set of songs, gloriously produced Read Review
Cults give more of themselves on these songs than ever before, and opening themselves to more possibilities pays off with some of their most exciting music Read Review
A more streamlined and straightforward pop album from Cults Read Review
Offering’s second half becomes a stoned and fuzzy blur, its overall high settling into a pleasurable yet indistinct haze Read Review
Offering lands as just okay in comparison to other indie duo offerings like Sylvan Esso’s from earlier this year Read Review
Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion turn their faces toward the sun with songs fuller and brighter than ever before Read Review
A lacklustre effort from a group once smothered in critical praise and year-end listings Read Review
An intoxicating approximation of Beach House's gauzy atmospherics. They replicate them skillfully enough but you can't help feeling they're ultimately trying to move into a space that's already taken. 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