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 emotional centerpiece of the record is Backwords, a gorgeous, melancholy number. It’s a stunning, poignant track" The Line Of Best Fit
Listen on SpotifyListen on grooveshark
" 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
" Church is still arguably the best thing they’ve done ... it would thaw the edges of even the coldest of hearts" music OMH
" Waveforms flows with typical electro flourishes and polyrhythmic beats before climaxing with a stunning multi-harmony coda" music OMH
" Standout track Logos is a deeply nostalgic elegy in which Gabriela’s percussive wizardry really shines through" AU Magazine
" The memorable point of Something is standout track Ghost Tonight. Polachek's vocal abilities are really something to marvel at" BPM
" The Lights cannot fail to put a smile on your face" Fake DIY
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The ADM rating is a weighted average from our survey of more than 50 sources, taking into account the number of reviews
7.9
A good number of reviewers are calling this a masterpiece from the 77-year-old
Added: 25/01/2012
7.8
The art pop quartet's album is being talked about as one of the debuts of the year
A lot of high praise for the Glasgow electronica / post-rock outfit's 3rd album
7.7
Debut album of indie folk from Newcastle singer-songwriter produced by Ben Hillier (Blur, Depeche Mode, Elbow)
Added: 03/02/2012
Abel Tesfay's 3rd highly-acclaimed mixtape, and critics are predicting a huge future for him
Added: 03/01/2012
7.6
The Scotish indie noise merchants return with their third long-player
Added: 31/01/2012
7.5
The former Screaming Trees frontman releases his first solo album since 2004, comprising of dark, alternative rock songs
Added: 02/02/2012
Dylan Baldi's bedroom lo-fi project reinvented as a full indie rock band for a 2nd album produced by Steve Albini
Added: 20/01/2012
7.4
Second release from the West Coast rapper and member of Kendrick Lamar's Black Hippy crew
Added: 01/02/2012
A string of 8/10 ratings gives the Swedish sisters a 2nd big critical success
Added: 11/01/2012
7.3
80s-inspired electronic pop on the 2nd album from the Brooklyn band, now a duo following the departure of founding member Aaron Pfenning
Third album from the London group, melding electronica, experimental jazz, dance and rock
7.2
So far there's nothing but warm words for the classic house on the first full-length release from Hot Chip's Joe Goddard and London DJ Raf Rundell
Many highly appreciative reactions to the Welsh singer-songwriter's "eccentric", "peculiar" and "intriguing" 2nd album
Added: 18/01/2012
Several reviewers feel this could be one of the best Americana offerings of 2011
Added: 04/01/2012
7.1
Folktronica, indie pop and psychedelic electronica on the first full length release from former Tunng singer and producer Sam Genders
Eighth album of grime and hip-hop from the extremely prolific Londoner
Added: 08/01/2012
Debut album of dream pop / synthpop from one-man band and producer, Brooklyn-based Mauro Remiddi
Added: 12/01/2012
Speed pop, lo-fi punk and fuzzy new wave on the 6th album from the Alabama retro rocker
Added: 26/01/2012
7.0
The Oscar-winning duo return with a score for the US version of the Stieg Larsson novel
Added: 30/12/2011
Second solo release from the Glasgow guitarist, also featuring an array of guest Scottish talent
A real critical divide here: several say it's a major step forward for the indie rockers, some say it's a disappointment
Afrobeat-tinged indie pop on the 4th album - and first for Domino - from Bristol-based French singer-songwriter Frànçois Marry and his band
6.8
Debut album of melancholic indie pop from the London four-piece
The debut album from an indie pop trio from Brooklyn, New York
The 31 songs each written, recorded and released every day in January 2011 by the indie rock singer-songwriter
Added: 30/01/2012
Fourth album of alt country from the Ottawa, Ontario singer-songwiter co-produced by Justin Vernon
Added: 06/01/2012
6.7
Sophomore effort of alternative post-hardcore from the Leeds quartet
Added: 19/01/2012
Debut album from 21 year old Hannah Louise Clark, taking in everything from Riot Grrl to electropop to dirty pop
The Mexican guitar duo revisit some of their material with a 13-piece Cuban orchestra and other guests including Anoushka Shankar on sitar
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