17 December 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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First album in 10 years from the NYC alt. dance group
A winning reminder of why they were so beloved during their early heyday Read Review
Things get off to an agreeable bouncy Blondie-esque start with first single “Pirates”. But after that there are several decidedly plodding, generic tracks before the party really gets started Read Review
For all of the propulsive thrust on display throughout Let’s Make Love, the band yearns for those quiet, restorative moments Read Review
A welcome comeback from an enduringly creative act Read Review
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Anderson .Paak Oxnard
May his lyrical eye mature to match his musical vision next time out. Print edition only Mojo
Vince Staples FM!
The breeziness is deceptive. Print edition only Mojo
Aidan Moffat & RM Hubbert Ghost Stories For Christmas
Aidan Moffat and RM Hubbert enter the festive fray on formidable form with a sobering and intoxicating Christmas album The Skinny
Whatever your Christmas finds you doing, putting a brave face on your despair in the bosom of your family, or savouring your glass of reeking punch with no one but sad memories, Ghost Stories for Christmas makes an excellent companion God Is In The TV
Throughout the 10 songs both performers are clearly having fun, and yet – as you might expect from its Ghost Stories title – there is darkness at the heart of this album music OMH
Humour peeks through like a minuscule bauble amid tiers of green pine The Irish Times
A refreshingly dark take on a tired format. Print edition only Q
Ryley Walker The Lillywhite Sessions
Completely unexpected, utterly brilliant. Print edition only Q
Van Morrison The Prophet Speaks
Morrison might just be summoning a new creative burst. Print edition only Q
Lubomyr Melnyk Fallen Trees
Melnyk's compositions wobble and hesitate, as if embarrassed by their beauty. Print edition only Q
Daniel Knox Chasescene
Knox has put together a package that's hard to resist. Print edition only Q
Alessia Cara Alessia Cara
Overall it's too stodgy to soar. Print edition only Q
Selling On Reflection
Two electronica veterans turn their casual jam sessions into a polished collaborative album The FT
A fantasy world of handsomely orchestrated songs through which swirl sentiments of the blackest pitch The FT
Earl Sweatshirt Some Rap Songs
It is a short but intense experience, one that demands close listening, as though imbued by the spirit of poetry The FT
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