8 December 2023
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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Peter Gabriel i/o
What did we get for our 20-year wait? Something substantive, something deeply considered. Print edition only Mojo
In an era where so many of our musical heroes seem to be growing more cantankerous and ill-tempered with age, it comes as a welcome relief to see one heritage act pushing positively into the future – and making some of the warmest and most joyous music of his career. Print edition only Uncut
After two decades of tinkering, the art-rocker’s first album since 2002 arrives in an array of different mixes. Yet the songs are refreshingly uncomplicated, reconnecting with Gabriel’s pop instincts Pitchfork
A sublime and long-awaited return The Independent
The prog rocker’s new album has a cast of hundreds and opulent orchestral parts The FT
The mood throughout is mostly contemplative, yet the album is adorned with the sonic depth that admirers of Gabriel’s music would expect The Irish Times
André 3000 New Blue Sun
On his first album in almost two decades, the Outkast rapper re-emerges with a collection of flute-led instrumentals that are characteristically otherworldly The Observer
The legendary prog-turned-pop star started work on his new album in the mid-90s and has drip-fed its songs to fans, but it is anything but disjointed The Guardian
See review XS Noize
Laurel Halo Atlas
The acclaimed electronic musician synthesizes digital and acoustic instrumentation to generate a hazy emotional map across 10 songs Paste Magazine
Jockstrap & Taylor Skye I<3UQTINVU
Reworking the sounds of Jennifer B into delirious and unhinged dance hits, this is a remix album put together by the band themselves, keeping all of the power of creation within the Jockstrap camp Spectrum Culture
If Gabriel tends to overlard his songs with metaphors, he has few peers in rendering the spiritual power of the mind-body-earth connection The Arts Desk
The album effectively allows listeners pick their favorites mixes and create their own playlist Slant Magazine
Beirut Hadsel
Beirut has turned inward on Hadsel and it’s an affirming, warm kind of music to serve as a soundtrack for the next valley surely coming for us all PopMatters
His first album of original material since 2002 has been released track by track with each passing full moon, but it all comes together in the long-form record musicOMH
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"A largely jubilant and life-affirming meditation on life and mortality" (The Skinny). "A slowburning set of songs full of delicate beauty and affecting, idiosyncratic warmth" (musicOMH)
Since we've been around, that is. So, the highest-rated albums from the past twelve years or so. Rankings are calculated to two decimal places.
Kendrick Lamar To Pimp A Butterfly
Fiona Apple Fetch The Bolt Cutters
Kendrick Lamar Damn.
D'Angelo And The Vanguard Black Messiah
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Ghosteen
Self Esteem Prioritise Pleasure
Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Skeleton Tree
Frank Ocean Channel Orange
Dave We’re All Alone In This Together