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26 September 2017

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

Moses SumneyAromanticism

CoS think the debut of soulful r&b from the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter is "one of the most emotionally therapeutic albums of the year" while The 405 say it's "heartfelt and heartbreaking"

New

Benjamin ClementineI Tell A Fly

GigSoup recokon the second album from London-born poet and singer-songwriter is "soulful, haunting, oozing with intelligent songwriting" while TLoBF say "he is a rare talent that we must cherish"

New

Phoebe BridgersStranger In The Alps

Exclaim describe the debut LP from the LA singer-songwriter as a "gorgeously written record" while NME warn us to "get ready to embrace the tears". DIY say it's "a quietly devastating listen"

Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

RostamHalf-Light

Q say the debut solo release from the former Vampire Weekend member Rostam Batmanglij "feels like a step into a brave new world". CoS describe it as "a quiet revelation showcasing his talents"

Re-TrosBefore The Applause

The Quietus say the first release in eight years from the Chinese post-punk trio is "is a remarkable album" while The Line Of Best Fit reckon it's "hands down the craziest album you will hear this year"

Foo FightersConcrete and Gold

The Foos' ninth is their "most beguiling to date", according to Mojo, and NME think it's "a little bit Queen, a little bit Prince, and a lot great", although the ES say it has "all the usual energy but none of the feeling"

Ariel PinkDedicated To Bobby Jameson

Pitchfork describe the 11th studio LP of rom LA-based Ariel Marcus Rosenberg as "an immersive, intimate record marked by solitude". The Irish Times say he's "the perfect cult hero waiting to be discovered"

AlvvaysAntisocialites

"This is Alvvays pushing the jangle pop envelope" - The Skinny's take on the second album from the Toronto band while Loud And Quiet say "the band’s knack for a perfect pop melody can’t be argued"

Susanne SundførMusic For People In Trouble

Norwegian singer-songwriter's sixth effort is "a beautifully unsettling album" according to Q, with Mojo calling it "as striking as her career-defining 2010 album, The Brothel"

The War On DrugsA Deeper Understanding

"This is their best and most complete album to date" - The Music's take on the forth studio album from Adam Granduciel's band while Consequence of Sound say it's "a master class in widening scope"

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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BROCKHAMPTON

Saturation 2

Second album from the LA rap crew, released just two months after their debut
Mondo Cozmo

Plastic Soul

Debut album of indie folk rock from Josh Ostrander, former member of Eastern Conference Champions

Latest Reviews

Macklemore Gemini

Gemini should revive Macklemore’s fortunes, unless Eminem returns to steal his thunder Evening Standard

Macklemore Gemini

While some fans might prefer Macklemore with Lewis, Gemini is a reminder that before the multi-platinum singles, hit albums, and thrift shop threads, he could handle himself just fine All Music

Macklemore Gemini

The rapper’s sentimentality and kitchen-sink production ethos land the record alongside Katy Perry’s Witness in the post-Hamilton bargain bin A.V. Club

More reviews

Fresh stuff

V by The Horrors

"Tightly bundled and perfectly accessible without sacrificing any of their artistic integrity" - The Skinny's take on the 5th LP from the goth rock five-piece. Q say it's "bigger than its predecessors"

Chelsea WolfeHiss Spun
The Skinny hope the 5th LP from the Sacramento experimental, noise-folk singer-songwriter "is the album that transcends Chelsea Wolfe into superstardom". Exclaim say it's "punishing" but "rewarding"

The ClienteleMusic for the Age of Miracles
"There is beauty here, and sadness, and peril, and deep, deep soul" - The Quietus' take on the first album in seven years from the indie pop group led by Alasdair MacLean. Q say it's "a work of lovely, floaty wonder"

The KillersWonderful Wonderful
"It's personal, authentic, and reveals a maturity they haven't shown before" - The Music's take on the 5th LP from the Las Vegas pop-rock quartet. NME say it's their "best album since 2006’s ‘Sam’s Town’"

Hiss Golden MessengerHallelujah Anyhow
All Music say the 7th LP of indie folk from MC Taylor's is "another outstanding exercise in record making". Pitchfork describe it a being "full of fluttery soul-grooves"

Godspeed You! Black EmperorLuciferian Towers
PMA reckon the 6th LP from the Canadian post-rock stalwarts is "one of the best albums of the year" while The Arts Desk say it's "an instrumental psychedelic masterpiece"

Open Mike EagleBrick Body Kids Still Daydream
Loud & Quiet say the Project Blowed member's 6th is "brimming with manifold voices, unified by formidable compassion". The Skinny think it's "earworms all the way down"

SuperfoodBambino
DIY say the second album from the Birmingham indie rock duo " totally resets the parameters of the band" while NME say "the pair showcase just how talented and multifaceted they are"

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