27 July 2024
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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Ninth studio album and first in over seven years from the R&B artist featuring guest appearances from 21 Savage, Burna Boy, H.E.R., Jung Kook of BTS, Latto, Pheelz, The-Dream and Summer Walker
6.1
Usher’s ninth album is another impressive display of his endless charm and vocal chops. Thirty years into his career, the R&B icon still knows how to keep it light and throw a great party Read Review
The album hits its stride with a sequence of slow jams demonstrating that Usher is at the top of his game as a singer, still much more than a mere entertainer Read Review
The star’s sprawling, twenty-song LP is nostalgic and familiar as Usher leans into the past without making it feel stale Read Review
Lyrical foreplay isn’t exactly the singer’s strong suit on this throwback album full of percussive panting Read Review
‘COMING HOME’ competently portrays love as part Afrodisiac, part pulse-racing chase, part languorous and lived-in sensation Read Review
The album feels less driven by creative ingenuity or an aesthetic vision than by sheer showmanship Read Review
Vintage effects in the singer’s first album in eight years underline the degree to which he has been left behind Read Review
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Ice Spice Y2K!
From its title down, this is the Ice Spice testament. Often, it’s not what’s she’s saying, but how she’s saying it – fast, hard, and dosed in ultra-colourful tones, ‘Y2K!’ is as expertly balanced as her astrological charts Clash
A fun, if not substantive, ride The Line Of Best Fit
The NYC rap superstar delivers a debut album that thrives on clamor and chaos Rolling Stone
Eminem The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace)
Marshall too often uses his prodigious dexterity to defend himself from cancel culture rather than break new ground Spin
Beachwood Sparks Across The River Of Stars
This may not be the best album in their back catalogue, but if you’ve never heard the Beachwood Sparks before, this is as good as any place to start – then make sure you delve into the rest of the back catalogue. Hopefully there won’t be such a long wait until the next album God Is In The TV
Denzel Curry King Of The Mischievous South Vol. 2
In his artistic pursuits, he made Kings of the Mischievous South Vol. 2 sound like a loud, muggy night out with friends, and everyone involved is very serious about having fun Spectrum Culture
Childish Gambino Bando Stone & the New World
Glover has brought forth an incredibly well-produced blend of hip-hop, alternative R&B, pop, jazz, rock and electronic music Exclaim
The viral rapper’s debut album is promising but uneven. It's unlikely to slow her rapid ascent – or silence the haters NME
Lava La Ru Starface
STARFACE is a kaleidoscopic and far-reaching debut from someone who already seems to have a vision for who they are and what they want to do, alien or human Northern Transmissions
The Bronx rapper’s tracks have been designed for catchiness and brevity, but some fall prey to monotony The FT
Monotonous and broadly uninspiring production lets down the Bronx rapper’s debut Evening Standard
The US rapper’s subject matter is lightweight and this debut album only lasts 23 minutes, but funny, snotty lines abound and the music is often viscerally exciting The Guardian
Following a wave of overlong albums, the cool, TikTokable concision of Ice Spice’s first full-length record feels effortlessly in control The Independent
Jack White No Name
On No Name, he’s done something special on his own terms, delighted and surprised his audience, and provided one of the great rock moments of the year. Print edition only Uncut
The California alt-country band's first album since 2012 has a more up-to-date indie-pop sensibility, told through kaleidoscopic, Laurel Canyon beats and jamming guitars Paste Magazine
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
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
Dave We’re All Alone In This Together