30 April 2025
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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Second posthumous album from the rapper following his death in February 2020 includes guest appearances from Kanye West, Pusha T, Rick Ross, 21 Savage, Future, Chris Brown, Dua Lipa and Pharrell
5.6
Faith is the ultimate affirmation of Pop Smoke’s musical transcendence Read Review
‘Faith’ succeeds by offering not ony an elegiac portrait of Pop Smoke, but also a vision of what he could have become Read Review
The rapper’s second posthumous album has some dazzling moments, but ultimately feels like business as usual for an audience whose attention may be elsewhere Read Review
Despite poor production choices and lazy song structures, Pop Smoke's energy and solo spurts of brilliance won't allow for this stale posthumous release to tarnish his legacy Read Review
The Canarsie don's raw talent is overshadowed by superfluous guest spots on the second album to be released since his tragic death in 2020 Read Review
Pop Smoke’s second posthumous album sounds like it’s solely designed to generate clicks as a new generation of rap fans continues to be exploited for their streams Read Review
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Self Esteem A Complicated Woman
The UK star repeats some of her breakout album’s formula but little of its lacerating insight on a record where the Big Feminist Statements feel frustratingly basic Pitchfork
Self Esteem has returned with one of the most important albums of 2025 Clash
Femi Kuti Journey Through Life
The album is a triumph for Femi Kuti, reflecting his tireless dedication to his father’s legacy, in addition to his own artistic vision Far Out
The apple doesn't fall far, as they say, and a 62-year-old Femi is still raging against the system on Journey Through Life. Print edition only Record Collector
Kuti plots a way forward with the high-energy "Shotan" and "Corruption Na Stealing", his message ultimately uplifting. Print edition only Uncut
Best of all is Politics Don Expose Them, which hits hard yet swings on great horn lines and a catchy call-and-response chorus. Print edition only Mojo
Femi Kuti injects fresh energy into afrobeat on Journey Through Life The Line Of Best Fit
Samia Bloodless
What also makes Bloodless so special is Samia’s ability to find moments of unadulterated joy amidst it all Beats Per Minute
Sunflower Bean Mortal Primetime
“Please check if I’m breathing,” they sing on the fourth song of the album. If you have a pulse, you will find something on this album to enjoy Northern Transmissions
Prioritise Pleasure, in its snarling ferocity, began with a pack of women barking, shrieking to ward off male prey. A Complicated Woman is more of a whimper Northern Transmissions
Viagra Boys viagr aboys
Viagr Aboys dares to be stupid, smart, ugly, and sincere all at once Northern Transmissions
On the trio’s fourth album, the louds are louder, the quiets quieter, no power chord or lilting lullaby so fey it can't be goosed just a little bit more. Glam pivots to folk, hair-metal melds seamlessly with soft rock, yet it never once trips over itself with an out-of-place reference or hoary retread Paste Magazine
The New York musician’s third album may also be her best. The writing is richly human and gladly vulnerable, fearlessly interrogating what makes up a self Paste Magazine
For as much as the singer-songwriter has an undeniable knack for melodic hooks that permeate throughout the different shades of her alt-pop permutations, it's her lyricism that I've always found most compelling Exclaim
SUMAC & Moor Mother The Film
For those who care, The Film is one to be treasured Sputnik Music (staff)
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.
Kendrick Lamar To Pimp A Butterfly
Fiona Apple Fetch The Bolt Cutters
Spiritbox Tsunami Sea
Kendrick Lamar Damn.
D'Angelo And The Vanguard Black Messiah
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Ghosteen
Self Esteem Prioritise Pleasure
Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Skeleton Tree
Frank Ocean Channel Orange