16 January 2021
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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Our archive of chart news from the past, and present.
Zayn Nobody Is Listening
As he lets his voice meander over lazy guitars on River Road, it’s clear that, having been in One Direction, Zayn has now found his niche in lo-fi R&B-pop that’s intentionally made without any aim at all The Irish Times
Hazy R&B textures with few standout moments Evening Standard
The former One Directioner's new album is billed as his 'most personal project to date' but it offers no narrative to speak of and only brief glimpses of personality The Independent
Former One Direction superstar Zayn Malik's last album, 'Icarus Falls', was a critical hit but commercial flop. This time he swaps maximalism for simplicity NME
With minimal production and few moments of experimentation, the album is flawed and doesn’t add much to Zayn’s musicality, but it indicates that he’s achieved some sort of clarity on the direction he wants to take as a solo artist Clash
The former One Direction member turned solo pop star delivers a hopeful LP of bedroom R&B Rolling Stone
Ashnikko DEMIDEVIL
Ashnikko exposes her softer side on the whip smart Demidevil The Line Of Best Fit
Instead of shying away from addressing issues of sex shaming, emotional abuse and mistreatment in relationships, Ashnikko unapologetically exposes the toxic traits and actions of some men whilst serving their balls on a silver platter with a devilish grin Clash
Ten tracks of orgasm-loving, empowering anthems, that pack a punch musically as well as lyrically DIY
A debut album proper in all but name, mixtape ‘Demidevil’ shows that Ashnikko’s far more than a two-trend wonder NME
Pearl Charles Magic Mirror
A playful and complete album that deserves to be heard Vinyl Chapters
Californian pizzazz and Eagles-inspired zest Gigwise
While similar in feel to her debut, Magic Mirror is a significant step forward for Charles, who really steps up her game here All Music
Combining various soft rock touchstones, Charles’s new album sometimes veers into cloyingly sentimental pastiche The Guardian
Charles may be self-doubting and even gloomy at times, but she never loses her glowing spirit and hope for the many more adventures her life will lead her on Exclaim
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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
Fiona Apple Fetch The Bolt Cutters
Kendrick Lamar Damn.
D'Angelo And The Vanguard Black Messiah
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Ghosteen
Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Skeleton Tree
Frank Ocean Channel Orange
Anaïs Mitchell Hadestown
Run The Jewels RTJ4