3 December 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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Fifth album of rap and pop from the Trinidad-born MC from Queens, New York with guest appearances from J. Cole, Lil Wayne, Tate Kobang, Drake, Lourdiz, Lil Uzi Vert, Skillibeng, Skeng and Future
6.6
While similarities to her 2010 original may run only name-deep, this sample-heavy – and sometimes emotional – material certainly holds its own Read Review
Refusing to be hemmed in, it’s a record of real ambition, an example mirroring fan-pleasing tendencies with actual artistic growth Read Review
Stepping away from Barbie-Girl pop towards her strengths as a rapper, this is the sound of a more mature artist in fierce command of her talent Read Review
The sound of Nicki Minaj cracking her knuckles and getting her hands dirty again. It’s the purest distillation of her uniquely feminine bravado Read Review
Pink Friday 2 is a long album, and it’s going to get longer Read Review
Thirteen years after her landmark album Pink Friday, the pop-rap superstar aims to conjure and build on that moment with an ambitious 22-song statement that is a very mixed bag Read Review
The pop-rap phenomenon is back with her first album in five years Read Review
While some moments of interpolation are more inspired, the musician’s increasing reliance on recognisable samples can start to feel like cruise control Read Review
Unlike its predecessor, the album doesn’t leave much of an impression. Read Review
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Oneohtrix Point Never Tranquilizer
On his 11th album, producer Daniel Lopatin saves the best for last musicOMH
FKA Twigs EUSEXUA Afterglow
Overall, it is an exciting era for FKA Twigs fans, as she continues her winning streak Sputnik Music (staff)
Stella Donnelly LOVE AND FORTUNE
Love And Fortune is both expansive and intimate, creating a space to feel and filling it with Donnelly's truth Hot Press
Every aspect of EUSEXUA Afterglow stems from her imagination – and what a vibrant imagination it is Hot Press
Keaton Henson Parader
The album has many excellent songs, but perhaps the most memorable is ‘Conversation Coach’, a playful, self-reflective number about how Henson struggles during social situations Hot Press
Daniel Lopatin’s latest and eleventh Oneohtrix Point Never album is a compelling, suitable soundtrack for the modern endless scroll A.V. Club
De La Soul Cabin In The Sky
The first release since the death of their founding member dwells on the afterlife, yet doesn’t forsake their perpetually sunny sound The Guardian
Refreshes the quirks that made the trio so charming across their tenure, while taking stock of the matured realities and changes they have been forced to reckon with Paste Magazine
The group’s first record since the death of founding member Trugoy The Dove is packed with purpose, poignant lyricism and fresh reflection NME
Cabin in the Sky, the iconic hip-hop group’s first album in nearly a decade, movingly honors co-founder Dave “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur, who died in 202 Rolling Stone
As one of the most straight-forwardly enjoyable hip-hop albums 2025 has offered us, you’d be hard-pushed to top it for entertainment Clash
Tobias Jesso Jr. Shine
There’s a lot of talent simmering in this guy; maybe he’s still too hesitant to use it, but if he ever lets loose, we could have a star on our hands Northern Transmissions
Ten years after his breakout debut, the Canadian singer-songwriter returns with a sparse yet feeble sophomore record that feels less like a proper follow-up and more like a collection of unused demos for other artists Paste Magazine
While one has to admire his gumption for such a quizzical album launch, s h i n e sounds no more essential than if Jesso Jr. had given it another shot while he was collecting his hefty royalty checks No Ripcord
The Los Angeles singer-songwriter and feted hired gun put his session work on hold to record a comeback album with the intimacy and immediacy of a homespun demo Pitchfork
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
Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Skeleton Tree