18 April 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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The ninth full-length release from the Nashville-based indie-folk singer-songwriter co-produced with Jerry Bernhardt
7.2
Music that's moving, beautiful and uplifting. Print edition only
An ornate folk album that brims with rich orchestration and incisive lyrics. Print edition only
The beauty of ‘Valentine’ lies in Courtney Marie Andrews’ unique ability to shift between multiple vocal textures. Her aching pain is felt in her vocals and unguarded lyricism, a looseness that gives the album its emotional weight Read Review
Powerful stuff Read Review
The singer-songwriter’s ninth album is an earnest, aching set carried by dazzling vocal performances and rich, chamber-folk production Read Review
On Valentine, Andrews expresses her insecurities and strengths as she navigates various types of relationships Read Review
An explicitly confessional record attempting to make sense of, and give vent to, a degree of personal turbulence. Print edition only
A good record, that’s all Read Review
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Tomora Come Closer
Dance don Tom Rowlands and Norwegian phenomenon Aurora take us on an otherworldly rave as an "exceptional" supergroup NME
Jessie Ware Superbloom
On Superbloom, Jessie Ware goes toe-to-toe with the law of diminishing returns The Skinny
Self-effacing pop diva indulges in carnal pleasures Clash
Building on the sumptuous disco stylings of her last two albums, this time the mirrorball - and the horniness - giddy right up musicOMH
Angine de Poitrine Vol.II
The duo’s ability to match the experimentation with a sparkling energy and infectious drive suggests that Vol. II would impress even if its creators dressed in nothing more eye-catching than road-worn jeans and T-shirts The Line Of Best Fit
The third album in the singer’s disco trilogy feels like something brighter and more perennial Slant Magazine
Ware doesn’t just sound like a natural dancefloor maestro. She proves to be a force of nature Under The Radar
Neither a Chemical Brothers record with a guest vocal, nor an AURORA record with heavier production, Come Closer feels more like a shared space, with each artist’s approach left largely intact Spectrum Culture
Glittering, supersized dance juggernaut fuses the Chemical Brother’s propulsive electronica and the Norwegian’s icy, eerie singing and production The Irish Times
Overstimulating, eerie, weird and wild Dork
Occasionally uneven effort from art-pop star and dance maestro Hot Press
Tomora comes off as a good-natured side quest, freely venturing into unexpected territory and maintaining an adventurous spirit All Music
Raye This Music May Contain Hope
Grander, louder and packed with even more lyrics than her debut, Raye’s THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. is perhaps the best and first must-listen in pop music this year Spectrum Culture
Following two irresistibly groovy records, Ware serves up another sleek, sexy helping of disco-pop. It's too bad the songs are less innovative than their predecessors Paste Magazine
A change-up might well be welcome for album number seven, but Ware’s latest disco-pop knees-up is a jubilant record from someone operating at the top of her game Far Out
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