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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Fourth solo album from the Houston rapper featuring guest appearances from Bon Iver, Sampha, Drake, Playboi Carti, Beyoncé, 21 Savage, the Weeknd, Yung Lean, Young Thug, James Blake, Kid Cudi, Bad Bunny, Future and SZA
6.2
UTOPIA sees Scott stay true to his style, his preferences, and his principles, going against the grain of the tendencies in the viral-hungry world that is 2023 ra Read Review
Lead single ‘K-POP’ remains a titanic moment, but its immediacy is perhaps a misnomer on a record dominated by misdirection, about-turns, and sudden revelations Read Review
The album operates less as a cohesive body of work and more as a series of show-stopping set pieces Read Review
The Houston rapper's first album since 2018 teases a brave new sonic world, but has little to say about what might happen if we get there Read Review
In an attempt to give the world a true blockbuster rap album, the Houston rapper delivers a shiny, empty spectacle loaded with pop superstars who rarely make an impact Read Review
The reality is that while Scott is a masterful curator, he’s just an OK rapper. Those two realities are discordant for too many moments on Utopia Read Review
Returning with a long-awaited fourth album in the wake of the Astroworld disaster, Scott’s rhyming isn’t strong enough to distinguish him from his A-list guests 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