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20 August 2026

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

Getdown ServicesMassive Champion

"A ridiculous triumph" (9/10 - DIY). "The buzzy Minehead-via-Bristol party-starters shake off the 'joke band' label and face up to doubt on nuanced album number two" (8/10 - NME)

New

JungleSunshine

"Over a decade and still churning out albums like this. Jungle seem completely incapable of putting a foot wrong at this point" (10/10 - Far Out). "A summer smasher" (8/10 - Record Collector)

New

James Ellis FordLost In Another World

"Whether made in a hospital bed, a million-dollar studio or an abandoned warehouse, ‘Lost In Another World’ is raw, rare and radiant — regardless of the world one is lost in" (8/10 - Clash)

Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

Charli XCXMusic, Fashion, Film

"How do you follow up the album that made you a star – and a caricature? In classic Charli style: with a pivot to guitar and a meta masterpiece about the instability of identity" (10/10 - The Guardian

Yard ActYou're Gonna Need A Little Music

"A deliberate retreat from their role as commentators; here, their medium has become the music" (10/10 - NME)

mary in the junkyardRole Model Hermit

"A magnificent feat in angry, sad and fantastical folk-rock" (10/10 - The Skinny). The complex instrumental layerings and weaving storylines will entrance you (8/10 - Clash)

Vince StaplesCry Baby

"An urgent manifesto against American injustice and complacency" (9.1/10 - Consequence of Sound). "The Long Beach lyricist delivers his most passionately political release to date" (8/20 - NME)

Boards of CanadaInferno

"The elusive Scottish electronic duo return after over a decade away with an immersive, multi-dimensional album that is both evocative and ambitious" (10/10 - musicOMH)

Ed O’BrienBlue Morpho

"The guitarist’s album might be the most Radiohead side project yet to emerge from the mother ship" (8/10 - The Irish Times). "Works that move and grow like the building blocks of life itself" (8/10 - Clash)

THE CHART: THE TOP RATED NEW ALBUMS

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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6.3

Hovvdy

Big World

Sixth album from the Austin, Texas indie rock duo Charlie Martin and Will Taylor

Added: 18/08/2026
6.2

Ariana Grande

petal

Eighth album from the American pop star working with producers Ilya and Max Martin

Added: 01/08/2026
6.1

Shania Twain

Little Miss Twain

Seventh album from the Canadian singer-songwriter produced by Zach Dawes and featuring collaborations with Tanya Tucker, Josh Homme and The War and Treaty

Added: 27/07/2026
5.7

Gracie Abrams

Daughter From Hell

Third album from the Los Angeles singer-songwriter featuring contributions from Aaron Dessner, Marcus Mumford, Dan Nigro and Justin Vernon

Added: 17/07/2026

Latest Reviews

Brandon Flowers Thrasher

Even a couple of bafflingly misguided social commentary songs can’t detract from the joys of Flowers’ classically full-throated commitment to the Nashville bit The Guardian

Brandon Flowers Thrasher

While his words and voice remain smart and wry, whether you enjoy it or not will depend entirely on your liking for, or tolerance of, that genre. Print edition only Record Collector

Brandon Flowers Thrasher

He's always been a crooner in the tradition of Waylon Jennings, and he's always had Kris Krisfofferson's nose for a tale. Print edition only Mojo

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Fresh stuff

Temple Songs by Laura Veirs

"Recorded produced and performed entirely on her own, this gorgeously crafted album serves as a soothing balm in turbulent times" (8/10 - musicOMH).

ShearwaterThe New World
"Fans and newcomers alike will be entranced by the beauty of Jonathan Meiburg and co's stately creation – assisted by an astonishing supporting cast" (9/10 - musicOMH)

The Durutti ColumnRenascent
"Now a keen point of reference for lone bedroom listeners and stadium-fillers alike, Vini Reilly begins a new, starlit chapter" (9/10 - musicOMH)

Ariana Grandepetal
"petal may have stemmed from a place of unfiltered rage, but the end result is a gorgeous bloom" (9/10 - Sputnik). "Rage is all over the pop superstar’s eighth LP, Petal — and it suits her " (8/10 - Rolling Stone)

The StrokesReality Awaits
"Allying the crackpot strangeness of Julian Casablancas’ side projects with his band’s gift for pop minimalism, the New Yorkers are on playful, joyous form" (8/10 - The Guardian)

Robyn HitchcockThe Confuser
"Hitchcock is still at the peak of his powers, nearly sixty years on from The Soft Boys. ‘The Confuser’ is a testament to that, with each song bemusing and mystifying in their own unique way" (8/10 - Clash)

Nia ArchivesEmotional Junglist
"Another powerful work from an artist who continually pushes jungle into new territory" (8/10 - All Music). "An album that breaks through the ceiling of her potential" (9/10 - DIY)

LoatheA Stranger To You
"A record that’s challenging yet not impenetrable, one fans will want to devote time to, that’s also vast in its ambition, and executed to stunning effect" (10/10 - Kerrang)

All-time top 10

Since we've been around, that is. So, the highest-rated albums from the past twelve years or so. Rankings are calculated to two decimal places.

See full list