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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Fifth album from the Bergen-based Norwegian house music producer and first in seven years
6.5
Some of Byen’s best moments are when he lets some of that permanent midnight in on his aural sunshine Read Review
Fans will surely enjoy more Torske in their lives, and Byen is Bjørn Torske at his most idyllic Read Review
While not as spontaneous or weird as some of Torske's other efforts, Byen is unmistakably well-crafted, and works on the dancefloor as well as a soundtrack for zoning out Read Review
After abandoning leftfield disco for a more eclectic brand of weirdness a decade ago, the producer revisits the space disco sounds that made him one of Norway’s original house innovators Read Review
The space disco master delivers his smoothest album yet, though a few more wrinkles would have been welcome Read Review
The maestro's arpeggiators show no signs of seizing up, even if there's a touch of melancholia about Tangerine Dream-like opener First Movement and Clean Air. Print edition only
An uncomplicated album that feels content with its firmly middling style Read Review
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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