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15 August 2020

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

James Dean BradfieldEven In Exile

"One of our greatest living guitarists has conjured up something truly special" - Clash's take on the this solo album from the Manic Street Preachers man. Under The Radar say he's "a solo artist of some repute"

New

Biffy ClyroA Celebration Of Endings

The Line Of Best Fit say the Scots alt.rock trio "continue to prove themselves titans on an experimental and thunderous" on their 9th LP. Uncut describe it as "glorious, elevating and energising stuff"

New

Glass AnimalsDreamland

"Rose-tinted nostalgia for the perfect summer" - DIY's take on the third album from the Oxford psychedelic pop quartet while Clash say it's "a brave and ultimately bold move" and "a triumph"

Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

JARV ISBeyond The Pale

Clash say the debut album from Jarvis Cocker's new band is "a triumph" and Northern Transmission say it's "a wonderful addition to Cocker’s entire musical oeuvre". DIY say he's "an absolute one-of-a-kind"

ProtomartyrUltimate Success Today

The Line Of Best Fit reckon the 5th LP from the Detroit post-punk quartet "has the power of an exorcism" while Gigwise say it is "an emotional rollercoaster of a record, but one that is well and truly worth riding"

Crack CloudPain Olympics

Loud And Quiet describe the debut from the Vancouver art-rock multimedia collective as "an unearthly garden of delights". Gigwise say it's "an existential, genre-defying examination of the human condition"

HaimWomen In Music Pt. III

"It's somehow punky, vulnerable and soothing – and a thing of great beauty" - NME's take on the third album from the LA pop rock trio while Q describe it as "zeitgeist-friendly" and "genre-hopping"

Julianna BarwickHealing Is A Miracle

"Her most soothing and assuaging set of songs to date" - music OMH's take on the 4th LP from the Brooklyn-based vocalist and producer while No Ripcord say it's "an entrancing album from start to finish"

Phoebe BridgersPunisher

"Almost every single moment on this album is exquisitely thrilling" - The Arts Desk's take on the second album from the LA indie rock singer-songwriter while Q say it's "a masterpiece in mood setting"

Lady GagaChromatica

"Gaga is back, with her bangers intact" - music OMH's take on the sixth studio album the New York pop singer while The Irish Times reckon "a star is reborn in this return to fully fledged pop"

MuzzMuzz

"A bold and surprising statement of purpose and intent" - Clash's take on this debut from the indie rock super-group. The Line Of Best Fit say "they’re masters of their craft on a spacious and cinematic debut"

Unlisted Releases : current releases

The ADM rating is a weighted average from our survey of more than 50 sources , taking into account the number of reviews

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Cloud Nothings

The Black Hole Understands

Sixth studio album from the Cleveland indie punk four-piece created in lockdown via email
Polly Scattergood

In This Monent

Third album and first for seven years from the London electro-pop
Whitney

Candid

Third album from former Smith Westerns members guitarist Max Kakacek and singer/drummer Julien Ehrlich is a collection of covers

Latest Reviews

James Dean Bradfield Even In Exile

An undoubtedly impressive outing, both in terms of being an engaging, impactful set of songs but also as an educational exercise in shining further light on an important musician and cultural figure music OMH

Deep Purple Whoosh!

Deep Purple can hardly be accused of morphing into a light-weight lounge act. They can certainly still rock The Arts Desk

Deep Purple Whoosh!

It’s classy, enjoyable, and it’s certainly commendable to see legendary musicians who have nothing to prove, feel the desire to express themselves artistically Sputnik Music (staff)

More reviews

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Fresh stuff

A Heros Death by Fontaines DC

"Fontaines D.C. intend to become one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and they don’t mind doing it the hard way" The Independent's take on the second album from the Dublin-based post-punk quintet

The MicrophonesMicrophones in 2020
"It is a monumental piece that dextrously straddles his musical epochs" - Bears Per Minute's take on the fifth album and first in 17 years from Phil Elverum (Mount Eerie) under this moniker

Alanis MorissetteSuch Pretty Forks In The Road
The Independent reckon the 9th LP from the Ottawa singer-songwriter is "one of her best-ever records". The Line Of Best Fit say she "still knows how to balance the dark with the light"

Land Of TalkIndistinct Conversations
"The new album’s few-frills production exposes just how gut-wrenching their songwriting can be" - Pitchfork's take on the fourth album of anthemic indie rock from the Montreal trio led by Elizabeth Powell

Jessy LanzaAll The Time
Clash say the third release of alternative synth pop from the Canadian is "a radiant and eminently danceable album" while All Music reckon her "post-disco R&B inspirations have never been so pronounced"

Lianne La HavasLianne La Havas
"In short, every song is an earworm" - music OMH's verdict on the 3rd LP from the English soul singer working while Albumism say "everything is delicately and artfully balanced"

The ChicksGaslighter
PopMatters reckon the first new studio album in 14 years from the country trio is "bold and incendiary". Consequence Of Sound say they "bring a lush new sound that ventures further into the pop realm"

Rufus WainwrightUnfollow The Rules
"A timely reminder of everything that’s wonderful about Wainwright" - Clash's take on the tenth album from the Canadian baroque pop singer-songwriter while music OMH say "this is a quality record"

The StreetsNone Of Us Are Getting Out Of This Life Alive
"Top corner, back of the net" - DIY's verdict on the 6th LP from Birmingham rapper Mike Skinner while NME say "it’s good to have him back – and all of his mates, too"

BdrmmBdrmm
NME reckon the first album from the Hull, UK-based band is "a modern shoegaze classic" while The Line Of Best Fit say it's "an assured and brilliant debut"

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.

See full list