11 March 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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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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waterbaby Memory Be a Blade
The takeaway is that how you treat those lesions is crucial to moving on; if done productively, those bygone romantic woes will no longer penetrate the heart The Line Of Best Fit
By its final "mmm," Memory Be a Blade's title has come into sharp focus All Music
The Stockholm musician’s debut album is a fascinating character study with improvised lyrics and a light, pretty sound that belies its emotional depth The Guardian
Growing from her bedroom pop beginnings, the Swedish artist’s debut album is a quiet revelation NME
A body of work that feels unsettled in the most compelling way DIY
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy We Are Together Again
By the album’s conclusion, Oldham hasn’t so much conquered his own fear as he has accepted it and defined his terms on how he will find a way to move forward Northern Transmissions
Rooted in country and folk, the compositions are slowed, with strings quietly building in the background to Oldham’s vocals, both haunting and hopeful Far Out
Will Oldham continues to forge new paths on latest release, balancing longstanding tropes with a sense of community and connection musicOMH
Will Oldham’s 31st album marks a return to his self-described “Louisville-first” approach to making music. His work is still as vital and sharp as it has ever been Paste Magazine
While Oldham frames his Bonnie 'Prince' Billy alias as a group name this time out, it's a collaboration which enhances his long-running idiosyncrasies rather than blandifies them. Print edition only Mojo
The most straightforward of Oldham's catalogue, and yet still rich with the oneiric and mysterious qualities that drew so many listeners to his art. Print edition only Uncut
Between bookending tracks Why Is The Lion?/Bride Of The Lion, reflections on modern fars both, (Everybody's Got A) Friend Named Joe and Vietnam Sunshine meditate gracefully and playfully on friendship and commitment. Spare settings offer breathing room, with strings, sax, flute and more colouring in the songs' fringes. Print edition only Record Collector
Shabaka Of The Earth
In Of The Earth he has slipped its bonds almost entirely, crafting a holistic, electro-acoustic world music that defies categorisation. Print edition only Mojo
Shabaka trades meditative stillness for propulsive movement and cosmic chaos in his sophomore album The Skinny
Of the Earth isn't a jazz album, though it's certainly in the spirit. This is a Shabaka album; it resonates with individuality, innovation, and abundant creativity All Music
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
Rosalía Lux
Kendrick Lamar Damn.
D'Angelo And The Vanguard Black Messiah
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Ghosteen
Spiritbox Tsunami Sea
Self Esteem Prioritise Pleasure
Hayley Williams Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party
Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways