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21 April 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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Unlisted recent releases

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New

DRINKSHippo Lite

Q describe the second album from Tim Presley (White Fence) and Cate Le Bon as "brilliantly abrasive" while God Is In The TV say it's "not for the faint-hearted". Loud & Quiet reckon it's "fresh and exhilarating"

New

Josh T. PearsonThe Straight Hits!

"This feels like a necessary act of burning and rebuilding" - Uncut's take on the second solo album from the Texas singer-songwriter while Drowned In Sound think he "seems to be having a ball"

New

Alexis TaylorBeautiful Thing

The Skinny describe the fourth solo album from the Hot Chip front man as "a wondrous optimistic float through space". Q reckon that "in a career already dotted with peaks, this is definitely another"

Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

Manic Street PreachersResistance Is Futile

Mojo describe the 13th LP from the Welsh indie rock band as "a complex, multi-layered work" while Q say "they sound revitalised by the radiance of these songs"

HindsI Don't Run

The Skinny admire the "sunny garage rock weighted by concrete hooks" on the Madrid quartet's second LP, although UTR find it "a meandering detour through chill, lo-fi, and sometimes flat songs"

The DamnedEvil Spirits

"A master class in growing older without becoming lame and embarrassing" - The Arts Desk take on the first album in a decade from the punk veterans. Record Collector say it's "their best work in 35 years"

The VaccinesCombat Sports

NME say that with their fourth album the West London indie rock band "return battle-scarred but buoyant" while The Line Of Best Fit think it reaffirms them "as one of the most exciting British bands around"

EelsThe Deconstruction

"More staggering works of heartbreaking genius " - The Skinny's take on album number twelve from the California indie rock band led by Mark Oliver Everett. Uncut say it's "predictably overwhelming"

Hop AlongBark Your Head Off, Dog

Pitchfork find the Philly quartet's third is "filled with rich stories rendered beautifully in the abstract", and DIY reckon "they're just as enticing and attention-grabbing when practicing restraint"

Goat GirlGoat Girl

"Funny, raging, unpredictable and electric, this is a record that feels alive" - The Line Of Best Fit's verdict on the debut from the South London post punk quartet. Q say it's "fantastically alive, electrifying and witty"

Jack WhiteBoarding House Reach

Clash say the 3rd solo LP from the former The White Stripes leader and Raconteur member is "easily one of the most layered and compelling releases of 2018". Q thinks it's his "most surprising and eccentric record"

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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Ben Frost

All That You Love Will Be Eviscerated

Latest release of minimalist electronic compositions from the Melbourne-born composer
Brazilian Girls

Let's Make Love

First album in 10 years from the NYC alt. dance group
Cabbage

Nihilistic Glamour Shots

Debut full-length from the English industrial post-punk band produced by Rich Turvey and The Coral's James Skelly

Latest Reviews

DRINKS Hippo Lite

Something new on every listen DIY

Alexis Taylor Beautiful Thing

It doesn’t always quite hit those high notes, but the pair have set out to create a sometimes elusive feeling of connection DIY

Alexis Taylor Beautiful Thing

Taylor sounds pretty emotional, a sadness underscoring his signature vocals throughout A.V. Club

More reviews

Fresh stuff

Confident Music For Confident People by Confidence Man

"It's surely the party of the year" - The Skinny's verdict on the debut LP from the Melbourne-based dance-pop quartet while The Guardian say it's "a sophisticated and skilful distillation of dance-pop joy"

John PrineThe Tree Of Forgiveness
The first album of new songs in 13 years from the American country folk singer-songwriter "has all the qualities that have defined him as one of America's greatest songwriters" according to Rolling Stone

SabaCare For Me
Consequence of Sound feel the second album from the Chicago rapper and record producer "offers a deep reflection on grief and hope" while Pitchfork say it's "a marvel of craft, musicality, and emotion"

TinasheJoyride
NME reckon the American singer's third is a "sensual, star-ridden offering", but the Guardian find it's "a mixed bag, best when her coolly focused sexuality is put to the fore"

A Place to Bury StrangersPinned
All Music reckon the fifth album from the New York–based noise rock band is one of their "most cohesive" while Mojo say it's "ear-splitting and sublimely desolate"

Rival ConsolesPersona
Ryan Lee West's fourth LP is "easily one of the most vivid and soul-stirring electronic albums of the year", according to PopMatters, and All Music describe it as "immaculately produced techno"

Laura VeirsThe Lookout
"Open-hearted, free-thinking and grown-up in all the best ways" - Q's take on the 10th LP from the Oregon folk singer-songwriter. The Arts Desk say it "deserves to be as successful as the ‘case/lang/veirs’ album"

The Wonder YearsSister Cities
"A renewed example of just how powerful and poignant The Wonder Years can be" - DIY's take on the sixth album from the Philadelphia pop-punk band. Sputnik Music say "the record is simply full of great songs"

Unknown Mortal OrchestraSex and Food
"Album of the year thus far? Easily" - Loud & Quiet's take on Ruban Nielson's 4th LP. God Is In The TV think it's a sign that "Neilson could become a real auteur of the genre"

Daniel AverySong For Alpha
"A strong, sometimes truly beautiful, maturation of Avery’s work as a producer" - Mixmag's verdict on the 2nd LP of ambient techno from London based producer while Clash say it "demands repeated listening"

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