Any decent music? We review the reviews. You get the final word

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21 June 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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New

The CartersEverything Is Love

"A pop fairy tale just real enough to believe in" - AV Club's take on this collaborative between Beyonce and Jay-Z. Pitchfork say "it is a celebration of resilient black love and proud black extravagance"

New

Kamasi WashingtonHeaven & Earth

"You won’t hear another record like it this, or maybe any, year" - Clash's verdict on the latest release from the Los Angeles jazz saxophonist. Exclaim say he's "revealed another element to his budding songcraft"

New

Johnny MarrCall the Comet

Marr's self-produced third solo record is "bold and inspiring" according to NME, and the Music reckon it sees him "embracing the best of his past and present"

Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

Melody’s Echo ChamberBon Voyage

Uncut say Melody Prochet's second album "begs to be put on again, each listen revealing more of the myriad ideas that make up its weird majesty"

Snail MailLush

Exclaim call the Lo-fi indie debut from 19 year old Lindsey Jordan "unencumbered and honest", with Eabuddy saying it's "awesome when Jordan is most engaged". The Arts Desk say she's "a breath of fresh air"

Lily AllenNo Shame

"It’s hard to deny No Shame represents the woman who made it: it’s a smart, self-aware and compellingly imperfect record with a pretty unique point of view" say NME on the 4th album from the pop singer

LUMPLUMP

Loud & Quiet say the debut full-length album for the collaboration between Laura Marling and Mike Lindsay is "an intoxicating listen" while DiS say they "convey startling visions through their new vessel"

Father John MistyGod's Favorite Customer

"When it's glorious, it really is glorious" - Uncut's take on the 4th LP from J Tillman. Loud and Quiet say "the songs sound the same but the lyrics reveal a side to him that’s rarely made an appearance until now"

Ben HowardNoonday Dream

DIY describe the third album from the Devon-based folk / pop singer-songwriter as "a repositioning as well as a new highlight" while Q say "Howard's evolving sound is fast becoming distinctively his own"

Chart News

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

Latest Reviews

Kamasi Washington Heaven & Earth

The US saxophonist has found his time and it is now: this excellent album connects politics with the jazz of the past to create an angrily inclusive new vision The Guardian

The Carters Everything Is Love

They sound both aware of and immersed in the culture surrounding them while fully settled into their own reality as billionaires. In essence, they are Black, rich and famous, in that order NOW

Kamasi Washington Heaven & Earth

With its forward-thinking, deep-searching nature counterbalanced by a natural warmth and populist, groove-heavy approach, it’s another hugely accomplished work by a man whose prolific run of form shows no signs of abating Record Collector

Fresh stuff

Fresh stuff

Ye by Kanye West

The Guardian reckon that with his eighth album the biggest name in rap "is bracingly honest about his mental health struggles" while The Irish Times say it "exhibits hints of the self-awareness and empathy"

Rolling Blackouts Coastal FeverHope Downs
No Ripcord say there's "not a single bad song on here" in reviewing the Melbourne 5-piece's debut, while GIITTV say it's a "tremendously satisfying listen"

Leon VynehallNothing Is Still
"Beauty can be found in every facet of this record" - The Music's take on the debut full-length from the deep house producer and DJ. musisOMH say "the narrative is consistently immersive and engaging"

Kids See GhostsKids See Ghosts
Their collaboration "sees Kanye West and Kid Cudi catch up with the fragmented, fragile brand of hip-hop that they helped to shape" say NME, with Pitchfork calling it "spacious and melancholy"

Matt MalteseBad Contestant
The Reading singer-songwriter's debut is "stunning", according to DIY, and Loud and Quiet reckon he writes "words to give Father John Misty a run for his money"

Jon HassellListening To Pictures (Pentimento Volume One)
Uncut say the first release in nine years from the American jazz musician is "masterful", while The Guardian say it "proves the 81-year-old is still experimental after all these years"

serpentwithfeetsoil
Josiah Wise's soulful debut is "a visionary statement of arrival, a potent and singular masterpiece" according to PopMatters, with The Observer calling it "a beautiful, shape-shifting debut"

Jorja SmithLost & Found
"A solid start for the emerging artist and the foundation for a robust discography" - Exclaim's take on the debut from the pop r&b singer-songwriter while The Observer say it's "quietly, confidently remarkable"

Virginia WingEcstatic Arrow
"One of they year's most original and exciting records" says Loud and Quiet of the Mancunian experimental pop duo's fourth, while Q think it's "smart, melodic and irrepressible"

Lykke LiSo Sad So Sexy
"This is how you really do summertime sadness" - NME's take on the 4th LP from Swedish synth pop artist. Loud & Quiet say "this is a wholesale reinvention that Lykke Li wears very well"

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.