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19 June 2013

Here's how it works: The Recent Releases chart brings together critical reaction to new albums from more than 50 publications 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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Melt Yourself DownMelt Yourself Down

Nothing less than 8/10s so far for the debut from the jazz, funk & tribal pop collective. The Quietus' reviewer states it's "easily the most viscerally exciting album I've heard so far this year"

New

Smith WesternsSoft Will

Mostly positive reactions to the 3rd album from the Chicago 70s glam-inspired indie rock band, including a 7.9 rating from Pitchfork, while The Line OF Best Fit say it feels "vital and important"

New

Anna Von HausswolffCeremony

A couple of highly enthusiastic responses among the first batch of reviews for the 2nd release from the Gothenburg singer-songwriter. The Skinny describe it as "an absolute delight"

Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

Sigur RósKveikur

The critics are divided on the change of direction from the Icelandic band following the departure of keyboard player Kjartan Sveinsson. The 405 say it's their loudest, darkest and "best record in a long, long time", but others are less convinced

Boards of CanadaTomorrow's Harvest

The much-anticipated return of the influential Scottish electronica duo brings a couple of 10/10 reviews and a whole host of 9s and 8s. Drowned in Sound say it "fulfils our bravest expectations". Mojo say it "may be seasoned with hints of Eno and Tangerine Dream, but in truth, Boards of Canada are peerless"

Beady EyeBE

Contrasting views on the 2nd offering from Liam Gallagher's post-Oasis band. Clash are fans, giving an 8/10; Mojo feel that "too often the brave retro-futuristic collision is neither fish nor fowl"

Jagwar MaHowlin

Extremely enthusiastic reviews for the debut from the Sydney-based psychedelic electronic pop duo. According to NME, it "fuses dance and guitar music in a way that hasn't been done for 20 years" and is worthy of a 9/10

These New PuritansField Of Reeds

The art rock band's follow-up to their acclaimed 2010 release Hidden offers proof, in the view of Uncut, that "they're out there on their own". Art Rocker gives a 10, calling it "a fabulous record", but Time Out feels that "just occasionally things feel a little too austere"

Empire Of The SunIce On The Dune

A moderate rating for the 2nd album from the Aussie synthpop duo's follow-up to their big-selling debut. NME hit it with a 4/10, while Clash say it "shows little progression"; TLOBF however are fans of the songwriting

KodalineIn A Perfect World

A lowly 4.6 rating to start things off for the debut from the Irish indie rockers. Clash love it, others hate it, with Q writing it off as "pointless" and the Irish Times saying: "The truth is Kodaline are a bit drab"

Ghostory

School of Seven Bells

Ghostory

Bloggers average rating: 7.8
Label: Vagrant
UK Release date: 28/02/2012

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9.0 | Music Broke My Bones

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7.0 | Sound Influx

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7.0 | The Fire Note

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School of Seven Bells - The Night by Consequence of Sound

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School of Seven Bells: Ghostory

Download full album for just £6.99
1. The Night £0.99
2. Love Play £0.99
3. Lafaye £0.99
4. Low Times £0.99
5. Reappear £0.99
6. Show Me Love £0.99
7. Scavenger £0.99
8. White Wind £0.99
9. When You Sing £0.99

Latest Reviews

Anna Von Hausswolff Ceremony

Feels appealingly gigantic. Print edition only Uncut

Mark Mulcahy Dear Mark J Mulcahy, I Love You

An album of complex songs, simply arranged. Print edition only Uncut

Mark Mulcahy Dear Mark J Mulcahy, I Love You

May yet see him shrug off the "cult" tag. Print edition only Mojo

fresh stuff

fresh stuff

With Love, by Zomby

Two 9/10 ratings among the reviews for this double-CD, 33-track release from the masked UK producer. Q says it is "moving in ways that are hard to explain", while Drowned in Sound say it "holds the listener captive". However The Skinny say Zomby "sounds somewhat predictable"

James HoldenThe Inheritors
The long-awaited 2nd full-length release from the Devon-born electronica / techno producer gets a strong welcome from critics. "As mysterious as it is compelling" is the music OMH verdict

Mark MulcahyDear Mark J Mulcahy, I Love You
Three 8/10 ratings make it a strong start for the 1st album since 2005 from the Massachusetts alt.pop singer-songwriter. "What's not to love?" is Consequence of Sound's verdict, while Bowlegs calls it "a triumphant return"

ThundercatApocalypse
Some very high praise around for the 2nd release from LA-based bass player and Flying Lotus collaborator Stephen Bruner. music OMH regards it as "a supreme triumph" and it earns an 8.2 from Pitchfork

AustraOlympia
Some very positive comments on the 2nd album from the Canadian synthpop band, with Clash calling it "superlative stuff" and The 405 describing it as "full of beautiful, untarnished music"

All-time top 10

Since we've been around, that is. So, the highest-rated albums from the past four years or so