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23 October 2019

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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New

Floating PointsCrush

"Some of the most tightly-constructed and dense work [he] has ever released" - The Skinny's verdict on the 3rd LP from producer Sam Shepherd. The 405 say he's "a singularly talented producer"

New

VagabonVagabon

"Laetitia Tamko's second album touches on the magical" - Clash's take on the 2nd LP from the Cameroon-born, New York-raised, multi-instrumentalist while Loud And Quiet say it's "a quiet success"

New

Caroline PolachekPang

"A remarkable debut album" - The Line of Best Fit's verdict on the first solo release from the former Chairlift singer while Clash say it's "one of the most singular, captivating records of the year"

Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

ElbowGiants of All Sizes

The Skinny reckon that album number eight from the Manchester alt.rock band is "a vital record". Under The Radar think it "has plenty of spectacular music to make it a 2019 top 10 contender"

Kim GordonNo Home Record

"A breathtaking barrage of noise, anger and humour" - The Skinny's verdict on the debut solo album from the Sonic Youth co-founder while TLoBF say it's "a superb introduction to the solo Kim Gordon"

DIIVDeceiver

"A record that's as beautiful as it is bleak" - Exclaim's verdict on the 3rd LP of guitar-driven dream pop and shoegaze from the Brooklyn quartet. Paste say they "have expanded both their sound and mission"

WilcoOde To Joy

"The culmination of a musical evolution Wilco have been working towards for years" NME's take on the 11th LP from the Chicago alt.rock while Northern Transmission say "these are big, warm beautiful songs"

Brittany HowardJaime

Q reckon the debut full-length solo album from the Alabama Shakes frontwoman is "a thrilling first step into her future" while The Music describe it as "a funk album dripping with soul"

Hiss Golden MessengerTerms Of Surrender

The Skinny reckon the latest LP from MC Taylor's indie folk ensemble is "a major step forward". The Guardian say it's "a musical sound that fuses old with new"

TemplesHot Motion

"A stunning effort all-around" - Clash's take on the 3rd LP from the English psychedelic rock trio. Under The Radar's reviewer says "spend time with this album. I categorically promise you that it was leave you elated"

Bat For LashesLost Girls

The Line Of Best fit reckon the 5th LP from baroque singer-songwriter Natasha Khan is "a modern masterpiece". music OMH say it has "some truly beautiful sonic touches and her trademark gorgeous harmonies"

THE CHART: THE TOP RATED NEW ALBUMS

The ADM rating is a weighted average from our survey of more than 50 sources , taking into account the number of reviews

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7.4

Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Colorado

39th studio album from the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter includes the first appearance from Nils Lofgren since 1971

Added: 22/10/2019
7.4

Metronomy

Metronomy Forever

Sixth studio album from the London-based electropop group recorded in front man Joseph Mount's home studio

Added: 12/09/2019
7.3

Chastity Belt

Chastity Belt

Fourth album from the Walla Walla, Washington indie rock four piece led by Julia Shapiro and co-produced by Jay Som

Added: 19/09/2019
7.3

Refused

War Music

Fifth studio album from the Swedish hardcore punk band who reformed in 2014 produced by Martin Ehrencrona (Tribulation, Viagra Boys)

Added: 18/10/2019
7.3

Jimmy Eat World

Surviving

Tenth studio album from the Arizona rockers, produced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen (Paramore, M83, Nine Inch Nails)

Added: 18/10/2019
7.2

Gruff Rhys

Pang!

Sixth solo album from the Super Furry Animals frontman

Added: 12/09/2019
7.2

65daysofstatic

Replicr

Album number six for Sheffield-based experimental stalwarts following 2016's critically-acclaimed score for 'No Man's Sky'

Added: 26/10/2019
7.2

Carla dal Forno

Look Up Sharp

Second album from the Australian-born, London-based multi-instrumentalist

Added: 09/10/2019
7.1

The New Pornographers

In The Morse Code Of Brake Lights

Album number eight from Canadian-American musical collective produced by band leader A.C. Newman with co-lead vocals by Neko Case

Added: 24/09/2019
7.1

Temples

Hot Motion

Third full-length studio release from the English psychedelic rock trio reconnects with the spirit of their debut following their foray into electro-pop on 2017's Volcano

Added: 25/09/2019
7.1

Battles

Juice B Crypts

Fourth album from the Rhode Island experimental math rock duo with guest appearances from from Shabazz Palaces, Jon Anderson, Prairie WWWW, and Tune-Yards

Added: 16/10/2019
7.1

The Menzingers

Hello Exile

Sixth album from the Scranton, Pennsylvania punk band produced by Will Yip (Circa Survive, La Dispute, Title Fight)

Added: 04/10/2019
7.0

Korn

Nothing

Thirteenth studio album from the Californian nu metal group produced by Nick Raskulinecz (Mastodon, Halestorm, Alice in Chains)

Added: 21/09/2019
6.9

Liam Gallagher

Why Me? Why Not.

Second album album from the former Oasis singer, produced by Greg Kurstin (Adele, Kelly Clarkson)

Added: 18/09/2019
6.9

Tegan and Sara

Hey, I'm Just Like You

Ninth full-length studio album from Canadian indie pop duo of identical sisters revisiting songs ever written by the pair during their high school years

Added: 26/09/2019
6.9

Penguin Cafe

Handfuls Of Night

Fourth album from Arthur Jeffes' chamber jazz project originally commissioned by a Greenpeace Antarctic project highlighting endangered penguins

Added: 14/10/2019
6.8

Tove Lo

Sunshine Kitty

Fourth studio album from the Stockholm-born electropop singer Ebba Tove Elsa Nilsson includes a collaboration with Kylie Minogue

Added: 20/09/2019
6.8

Starcrawler

Devour You

Second album from the Los Angeles rock band produced by Nick Launay (Anna Calvi, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Arcade Fire)

Added: 11/10/2019
6.7

Twin Peaks

Lookout Low

Fourth album from the Chicago garage rock five-piece produced Ethan Johns (White Denim, Laura Marling, Paul McCartney)

Added: 17/09/2019
6.7

Efterklang

Altid Sammen

Fifth album, and first in seven years, from the Danish neo-classical, post-rock band

Added: 20/09/2019
6.7

Hovvdy

Heavy Lifter

Third album from the Austin, Texas indie-pop duo Charlie Martin and Will Taylor

Added: 18/10/2019
6.7

Babymetal

Metal Galaxy

Third album from the Japanese kawaii metal band and first since Yuimetal left due to ill health

Added: 10/10/2019
6.6

Cigarettes After Sex

Cry

Second album of ambient dream pop from the El Paso, Texas quartet recorded in Mallorca

Added: 22/10/2019
6.5

Belle And Sebastian

Days Of the Bagnold Summer

Soundtrack for Simon Bird's comedy from the Glaswegian indie pop group led by Stuart Murdoch

Added: 17/09/2019
6.4

M83

DSVII

Full-length studio release number eight from France's Anthony Gonzalez is a sequel to 2007's Digital Shades Vol. 1 inspired by early video game soundtracks, '80s sci-fi/fantasy films and analog synth pioneers such as Suzanne Ciani, Mort Garson, Brian Eno and John Carpenter

Added: 21/09/2019
6.2

Keane

Cause & Effect

Fifth full-length studio release for English pop-rock quartet Keane and their first in seven years, produced by David Kosten and the band themselves

Added: 20/09/2019
5.9

Allah-Las

LAHS

Fourth album from the 60s influenced LA rockers produced by Jarvis Taveniere (Woods)

Added: 15/10/2019
5.8

Blink-182

Nine

The ninth full-length album from the pop-punk trio produced by John Feldmann, Tim Pagnotta and The Futuristics

Added: 20/09/2019

Latest Reviews

Nils Frahm All Encores

All Encores demands to be heard in its entirety; this is no companion piece, but a thoughtful progression all its own Loud And Quiet

Nils Frahm All Encores

Where other ambient artists can veer dangerously close to musak, Frahm always brims with invention. Print edition only Q

Foals Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 2

The English band’s second album this year isn’t a complement to its predecessor so much as just another iteration on a now-standard formula Pitchfork

More reviews

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Fresh stuff

Two Hands by Big Thief

"2019 is Big Thief's year" - The Skinny's take on the 4th LP and second of the year from the indie rock quartet fronted by Adrianne Lenker while Mojo reckon it's a "sparer but equally powerful record"

FoalsEverything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 2
Clash reckon the 6th LP and the second half of this project from the rock quartet is their "most accomplished body of work to date". NME say it's "indisputable proof of their greatness"

BattlesJuice B Crypts
"An uncompromised, multi-faceted assault course for the brain" - The Line Of Best Fit's take on the 4th LP from the Rhode Island experimental math rock duo while Q say "it's addictively brilliant"

Mark Lanegan BandSomebody’s Knocking
"Another absolute masterclass crammed " - musicOMH's take on the 11th LP from the alt.rock musician while Clash say he's "at his gritty best, but there’s sweetness and vulnerability here too"

ChromaticsCloser To Grey
"A near-perfect piece of 21st century pop escapism" - Clash's take on the 5th LP from the Oregon electronic band. Slant describe it as "haunting synth-pop house of mirrors that transcends mere nostalgia"

Richard Dawson2020
"It is a wrenching masterpiece" - Evening Times' take on the 6th LP from the Newcastle singer-songwriter while Uncut say it's "a state-of-the-nation address for a nation in a bit of a state"

Lightning BoltSonic Citadel
The Quietus reckon the seventh album from the Rhode Island noise rock duo "might even be their best work" while All Music say it "shows the band still growing and developing nearly a quarter century in"

Danny BrownUknowhatimsayin¿
Clash say the 5th LP from the experimental hip hop artist is "a project that’s masterfully produced and exquisitely executed". DIY reckon it has "commercial viability without compromising his unique voice"

Girl BandThe Talkies
The Line Of Best Fit describe the second album from the Irish rock band as "petrifying and spectacular" while Clash say it's "beautiful, primal and raw" and "not an album for the faint-hearted"

All-time top 10

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.

See full list