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17 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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2018.Half.Year.2cols

New

Oh SeesSmote Reverser

Q reckon the twentieth album from the San Francisco garage rock band is "a career-best mind-melter" while The Line Of Best Fit say it is "a record that sounds like an endless stream-of-consciousness'

New

FelicitaHej!

"Hej! is one of PC Music's most well-rounded records yet" - Resident Advisor's take on the full-length debut album from the London-based producer. The 405 say it "shows the past and the future of this artist"

New

MitskiBe The Cowboy

Slant say that with her 5th LP the NY-based Japanese / American singer "sounds more confident than ever". Q think "it's a rare songwriter who can be apocalyptic, vulnerable, funny and world-slaying"

Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

TomberlinAt Weddings

"It’s tenacious, and it’s beautiful' - Sputnik Music's take on the debut from Kentucky singer-songwriter while Exclaim say she's "a rising songwriter with an astute sense of curiosity and solemn maturity"

Helena HauffQualm

The Hamburg DJ "has further enhanced her reputation as a vital voice in contemporary dance music" claim TLOBF, with Exclaim saying "the sum of the album's parts is an entirely satisfying whole"

Amanda ShiresTo The Sunset

"Musically progressive, it’s Shires most ambitious work to date" - The Independent's take on the sixth full-length solo album from the Texas-born singer-songwriter while Uncut say its "her best yet"

The InternetHive Mind

NME describe the 4th LP of hip hop soul from the LA outfit as "a towering achievement that combines Motown melodies with pop heartbreak". Slant say it's their "most musically diverse and synergetic album to date"

Ross From FriendsFamily Portrait

"A very personal and authentic piece of work" Exclaim's take on the debut from the electronic producer Felix Weatherall. Q say he "proves there's life for house music beyond four-to-the-floor bangers"

Dirty ProjectorsLamp Lit Prose

"A reminder of what’s made the band such a magnetic listen over the years" - Loud & Quiet's take on the 8th LP from David Longstreth's Brooklyn outfit. The Arts Desk say it's "a creative album from a true talent"

Years & YearsPalo Santo

DIY reckon the second album from the London-based electronica trio is "an overwhelmingly intimate record" while NME say it's "Filthy, sexy, thoroughly debauched pop at its finest... feels like a magical album"

Chart News

Our archive of chart news from the past, and present.

Latest Reviews

Animal Collective Tangerine Reef

As unlistenable as it is boring, which is almost kind of an achievement NME

Animal Collective Tangerine Reef

Overall the album has the feel of a commissioned piece that the band's hearts were only ever half into The Music

Animal Collective Tangerine Reef

For fans of Animal Collective's trippier inclinations, Tangerine Reef is a pleasant bit of oceanic escapism. For new listeners or anyone looking for the next "My Girls," this is decidedly inessential Exclaim

Fresh stuff

Fresh stuff

Future Me Hates Me by The-Beths

The 405 say that the debut from the New Zealand indie pop four-piece "sees them carve a niche all of their own". God Is In The TV describe it as "a blissful bath of delightful high-energy guitar pop"

The CoralMove Through The Dawn
The Irish Times reckon the ninth album from the Merseyside indie rock five-piece is "a mid-career high" while The Guardian say it's "another lovely, solid effort from one of Britain’s most enduring bands"

Kathryn JosephFrom When I Wake The Want Is
Clash say the 2nd LP from the singer-songwriter and pianist is "possibly the best album we’ll hear all year". Uncut say "the follow-up comes from a more confident place musically

FoxingNearer My God
Pitchfork describe the 3rd LP from the St Louis indie art rock quartet as "big, beautiful, and audacious". Sputnik Music say it "establishes itself as emo's first definitive document on digital-age despair"

Jake ShearsJake Shears
NME reckon the debut solo album from the pop singer and Scissor Sisters front man is "one of this year's most welcome and infectious comeback albums". Rolling Stone say it "overflows with the opulence of orchestral Seventies pop"

Nicki MinajQueen
"It’s whip-smart; laying all of her talents out for anyone who doubted her to see" - TLoBF's take on the 4th LP from the Trinidad-born MC. Sputnik highlight her "dual propensity for virtuosic verses and catchy pop elements"

TirzahDevotion
The Skinny say the debut full-length album from the British alternative R&B artist is "something fiercely unique, relatable and of the moment" while Loud And Quiet describe it as "a bold statement of intent"

GulpAll Good Wishes
The Arts Desk describe the second album from the Super Furry Animals offshoot as a "quietly confident collection" while The 405 say it's "a very pleasant experience from start to finish"

Spider BagsSomeday Everything Will Be Fine
"No tricks up the sleeves; just honest-to-God rock music" - Earbuddy's take on the 5th LP of garage rock from the North Carolina band. All Music say it's "snarky, passionate rock & roll"

YGStay Dangerous
"Fun and soul-searching without diluting his political edge" - Rolling Stone's take on the third full-length album from Compton-based rapper. AV Club describe it as "the most nocturnal record in his catalog"

Mac MillerSwimming
The 405 say that with his 5th LP the rapper "finally perfects his craft with the existential dread, and ultimate acceptance". The Independent reckon it's "one of the year’s most disarmingly pleasant records"

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.