24 June 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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Debut album from Cocteau Twins' bassist Simon Raymonde and Dif Juz's drummer Richie Thomas with guest appearances from ex-Midlake frontman Tim Smith and Sharon Van Etten among others
6.9
Elegant from the first minute to its 70th, Ojalá is an essential album for fans of Raymonde-affiliated projects like Snowbird and This Mortal Coil, and is among his and the year-in-indie's most exquisite works Read Review
A cluttered canvas on paper, perhaps – but the duo’s experience allows them to distil what works best on record Read Review
A diverse collection of quality melancholia by two intuitive veterans with nothing to prove except their ability to create music to invest your soul into Read Review
It hold together, though--a quiet coalition, but one that is wholly satisfying. Print edition only
Raymonde elicits gorgeous performances from guest vocalists. Print edition only
This record is not for everyone but fans of either musician or any of the plethora of contributors will find something to enjoy within its charming, ethereal walls and it certainly would be essential for Cocteau Twins or Bella Union completists Read Review
Even the worst albums can be the beginning of a great conversation Read Review
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Sophie Oil Of Every Pearl's Un-Insides
There are garish, hyper-kinetic tracks but there are also more reflective moments, a welcome shift in emphasis The FT
Nine Inch Nails Bad Witch
An inventive, aggressive return The Observer
The Carters Everything Is Love
Born out of therapy-like recording sessions, it marks the pair’s first full-length collaboration, but listeners hoping for detail on their reconciliation might be disappointed: this is curated veneer, not ugly exposition The Observer
Kamasi Washington Heaven & Earth
While Earth finds Washington wielding his sax as a furious, necessary weapon, the indulgent, opulent cushion of Heaven serves as a dazzling balm, the choir transforming from theatrical to celestial The Observer
Gang Gang Dance Kazuashita
A return to an altered cultural landscape The Observer
As bold and maximalist, as rhythmic and righteous, as one might expect from the reedsman who helped kickstart the global jazz renaissance. A must-have Evening Standard
He’s headed back to the dark seam he tapped for still horrifying 1990s albums like The Downward Spiral and The Fragile Evening Standard
Kazuashita is impeccably made, but it could stand a little more chaos A.V. Club
Earth is loaded with mentally and emotionally draining songs A.V. Club
It establishes Washington as a composer and arranger of dizzying potential and still underscores his twin rep as a soloist and jazz conceptualist All Music
ARP Zebra
As unconventional as it is relaxing, Zebra is perhaps Arp's most inviting sound-world yet All Music
Protomartyr Consolation E.P.
This dose of bruising revolt results in a strong antidote to our collective liberal disgust Punk News
Engaging and magical throughout DIY
Johnny Marr Call the Comet
Thirty-five years on from breaking into the industry, Marr’s still got plenty of tricks up his sleeve and certainly proves it on his best and most interesting solo album yet Gig Soup
Kids See Ghosts Kids See Ghosts
No one may be more responsible for introducing a dark mood to mainstream hip-hop than Kanye West and Kid Cudi Spectrum Culture
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