20 December 2011
Here's how it works: The Recent Releases chart brings together critical reaction to new albums from more than 50 publications. It's updated daily. Albums qualify with 5 reviews, and drop out after 6 weeks into the longer timespan charts.
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Tracks the critics are loving: read then listen
" The Lights cannot fail to put a smile on your face" Fake DIY
Listen on SpotifyListen on grooveshark
" Standout track Logos is a deeply nostalgic elegy in which Gabriela’s percussive wizardry really shines through" AU Magazine
" Church is still arguably the best thing they’ve done ... it would thaw the edges of even the coldest of hearts" music OMH
" The emotional centerpiece of the record is Backwords, a gorgeous, melancholy number. It’s a stunning, poignant track" The Line Of Best Fit
" The Lion's Roar is an epic tune ... an inspiring blend of marching drums, swirling woodwinds and heavy-handed piano chords, all reined in by the sisters’ gorgeous harmonies" Paste
" Waveforms flows with typical electro flourishes and polyrhythmic beats before climaxing with a stunning multi-harmony coda" music OMH
" The memorable point of Something is standout track Ghost Tonight. Polachek's vocal abilities are really something to marvel at" BPM
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Debut album of indie folk from Newcastle singer-songwriter produced by Ben Hillier (Blur, Depeche Mode, Elbow)
The ambient electronica duo's 7th album, inspired by the 1902 French film of the same name, the restored version of which they soundtracked
Second release from the West Coast rapper and member of Kendrick Lamar's Black Hippy crew
Sir Paul ditches the guitar for his 35th post-Beatles album and finds inspiration in piano pop instead
Album number eleven from the Georgia indie pop five-piece fronted by the extrovert Kevin Barnes
The debut album from an indie pop trio from Brooklyn, New York
The Brewis brothers from Sunderland return with their fourth full-length album of alternative pop
The Beatles drummer and voice of Thomas the Tank releases a new album of melodic rock, the title referencing his most popular album, 1973's Ringo
The former Screaming Trees frontman releases his first solo album since 2004, comprising of dark, alternative rock songs
Lo-fi rock and roll and electro from Jennifer Herrema and her band, a new incarnation of what was once Royal Trux, and subsequently RTX
Pop / soul / rap on the debut from the London-born, Ireland-raised singer-songwriter
Fifth album from the long-standing San Francisco power pop quartet
Second album of dance rock and electro-pop from The London trio
Second solo release from the Glasgow guitarist, also featuring an array of guest Scottish talent
The 31 songs each written, recorded and released every day in January 2011 by the indie rock singer-songwriter
Third album of melodic black metal from the French group
Much anticipated debut from the NY pop singer-songwriter, teamed with a bunch of leading co-writers
Electronica / prog / post-rock on the third album from the Glasgow quartet
Speed pop, lo-fi punk and fuzzy new wave on the 6th album from the Alabama retro rocker
Third album from the London group, melding electronica, experimental jazz, dance and rock
Sleigh Bells Reign Of Terror
Compromised by sanitised production. But these Bells still rock. Print edition only Uncut
Over-exposure might result in feelings of disorientation and a headache, but that's likely just the way Miller and Krauss want it. Print edition only Mojo
Shearwater Animal Joy
A set of Anglophile songs, bookish and gently melancholic. Print edition only Mojo
The sound of Americana meshing its cogs with the machinery of the world outside its grimed window. Print edition only Uncut
Meiburg’s voice is a thing of rare range and beauty, but it seems the band have yet to settle on the best way to maximise its formidable gifts music OMH
The Ting Tings Sounds From Nowheresville
One-hit wonders no more, White and de Martino now sound prepared for a big pop future. Print edition only Uncut
An insipid assault of dribbly, sub-Billie Piper pop sludge The Fly
Lambchop Mr M
It delivers softly and simply his often complex lyrics. Print edition only Mojo
Death is all around - but this is Lambchop, so the rough stuff comes wrapped in cinnamon. Print edition only Uncut
While Mr. M never comes close to a hoedown, it contains some of the most direct songs to have flown the Lambchop banner The Skinny
Speech Debelle Freedom Of Speech
The odd gauche moments remain, but her plaudits are not undeserved. Print edition only Uncut
From the get-go Freedom Of Speech takes on prisoners. Print edition only Mojo
Absorbing, epic, heartfelt and delicately nuanced – a marvellous album The Skinny
Anyone who wasn’t convinced by her debut is going to find far more to take issue with on Freedom of Speech BBC
Lana Del Rey Born to Die
Overall, this is a beautifully crafted, if limited, album AU Magazine
What's finding favour with bloggers & other review sites
The Roots undun
Drake Take Care
First Aid Kit The Lion's Roar
The Black Keys El Camino
Guided By Voices Let's Go Eat The Factory
Los Campesinos! Hello Sadness
Howler America Give Up
Craig Finn Clear Heart Full Eyes
The much anticipated debut from the NY singer-songwriter has divided the critics, with ratings ranging from a 10 from the Independent on Sunday to a 0 from Tiny Mix Tapes
Since we've been around, that is. So, the highest-rated albums from the past three years or so
Anais Mitchell Hadestown
Kanye West My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
PJ Harvey Let England Shake
Ry Cooder Pull Up Some Dust And Sit Down
Arcade Fire The Suburbs
Tom Waits Bad As Me
Janelle Monáe The ArchAndroid
Joanna Newsom Have One On Me
Gillian Welch The Harrow & The Harvest
Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavilion