20 December 2011
Here's how it works: The Recent Releases chart brings together critical reaction to new albums from more than 50 publications. It's updated daily. Albums qualify with 5 reviews, and drop out after 6 weeks into the longer timespan charts.
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Tracks the critics are loving: read then listen
" The Lion's Roar is an epic tune ... an inspiring blend of marching drums, swirling woodwinds and heavy-handed piano chords, all reined in by the sisters’ gorgeous harmonies" Paste
Listen on SpotifyListen on grooveshark
" The Lights cannot fail to put a smile on your face" Fake DIY
" Waveforms flows with typical electro flourishes and polyrhythmic beats before climaxing with a stunning multi-harmony coda" music OMH
" Church is still arguably the best thing they’ve done ... it would thaw the edges of even the coldest of hearts" music OMH
" Standout track Logos is a deeply nostalgic elegy in which Gabriela’s percussive wizardry really shines through" AU Magazine
" The emotional centerpiece of the record is Backwords, a gorgeous, melancholy number. It’s a stunning, poignant track" The Line Of Best Fit
" The memorable point of Something is standout track Ghost Tonight. Polachek's vocal abilities are really something to marvel at" BPM
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Fourth album of electronic beats and spoken word lyrics from UK hip-hop duo Daniel Stephens and rapper David Peter Meads
5.5
Savage, funny, wise and inspiring Read Review
The Logic of Chance, proves Dan Le Sac and Scroobius Pip are no novelty act. Initially it hits with minor appeal but repeated listens show just how good this intelligent, beat-heavy, hip-hop/poetry combo is Read Review
Print edition only
There are some tracks where he smacks you around with delirious torrents of vocab, but there are fewer of his Old Testament rants with jokes and more repetition Read Review
... sees the pair merely retracting past glories, with many of the tracks failing to make a mark in such an audacious manner as before Read Review
Its heart, and brain, may be in the right place but there’s very little here as instant, stand-out or hooky enough to appeal beyond devotee’s of Pip’s intellect Read Review
There are moments of genius... but The Logic of Chance lacks the duo's original off-the-cuff appeal Read Review
The lyrics tackle everything from knife crime to heartfelt demands for active citizenship, all intermingled with punchy dance-floor numbers Read Review
Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip's second album continues in the forthright, socially-conscious manner of their debut, offering a grim but lively account of the British social landscape Read Review
Doesn’t really break any new boundaries Read Review
There's perhaps just enough clever wordplay and hooks to get by on, but one can't help feeling this duo have come up against the limitations of their sound Read Review
The more you listen, the more you have to hear Scroobius Pip, and the less enjoyable the experience will be Read Review
Light years away from ‘Thou Shalt Not Kill’s glory Read Review
David Peter Meads abandons the lyrical looseness of their first album in favour of a hectoring, repetitive approach Read Review
Like being lectured by an irritatingly trendy supply teacher Read Review
They really need to exercise some quality control Read Review
They’re much closer to Just Jack’s birthday card banality than Buck 65 or The Streets Read Review
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Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip: The Logic of Chance
Sleigh Bells Reign Of Terror
Compromised by sanitised production. But these Bells still rock. Print edition only Uncut
Over-exposure might result in feelings of disorientation and a headache, but that's likely just the way Miller and Krauss want it. Print edition only Mojo
Shearwater Animal Joy
A set of Anglophile songs, bookish and gently melancholic. Print edition only Mojo
The sound of Americana meshing its cogs with the machinery of the world outside its grimed window. Print edition only Uncut
Meiburg’s voice is a thing of rare range and beauty, but it seems the band have yet to settle on the best way to maximise its formidable gifts music OMH
The Ting Tings Sounds From Nowheresville
One-hit wonders no more, White and de Martino now sound prepared for a big pop future. Print edition only Uncut
An insipid assault of dribbly, sub-Billie Piper pop sludge The Fly
Lambchop Mr M
It delivers softly and simply his often complex lyrics. Print edition only Mojo
Death is all around - but this is Lambchop, so the rough stuff comes wrapped in cinnamon. Print edition only Uncut
While Mr. M never comes close to a hoedown, it contains some of the most direct songs to have flown the Lambchop banner The Skinny
Speech Debelle Freedom Of Speech
The odd gauche moments remain, but her plaudits are not undeserved. Print edition only Uncut
From the get-go Freedom Of Speech takes on prisoners. Print edition only Mojo
Absorbing, epic, heartfelt and delicately nuanced – a marvellous album The Skinny
Anyone who wasn’t convinced by her debut is going to find far more to take issue with on Freedom of Speech BBC
Lana Del Rey Born to Die
Overall, this is a beautifully crafted, if limited, album AU Magazine
What's finding favour with bloggers & other review sites
The Roots undun
Drake Take Care
First Aid Kit The Lion's Roar
The Black Keys El Camino
Guided By Voices Let's Go Eat The Factory
Los Campesinos! Hello Sadness
Howler America Give Up
Craig Finn Clear Heart Full Eyes
The much anticipated debut from the NY singer-songwriter has divided the critics, with ratings ranging from a 10 from the Independent on Sunday to a 0 from Tiny Mix Tapes
Since we've been around, that is. So, the highest-rated albums from the past three years or so
Anais Mitchell Hadestown
Kanye West My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
PJ Harvey Let England Shake
Ry Cooder Pull Up Some Dust And Sit Down
Arcade Fire The Suburbs
Tom Waits Bad As Me
Janelle Monáe The ArchAndroid
Joanna Newsom Have One On Me
Gillian Welch The Harrow & The Harvest
Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavilion