15 October 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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Mr Frank Black, reverting to his Pixies name, with a solo album of assorted rock stylings
6.7
Print edition only
The Pixies’ accursed preacher and his rasping abstracts on sex and death are inevitably, for originality and sheer visceral power, a cut above Read Review
There may never be another Pixies album, but thankfully Black Francis is again drawing from the same creative wel Read Review
A slightly off-centre, messed-up yet ultimately hugely moving and genuinely felt and expressed love letter of an album, it is music to bring gladness to the heart and soul as much as to any baser of the body’s regions Read Review
While it’ll probably be forgotten in the wake of the next 17 or so albums he releases this decade, chances are it’ll stand out as one of his better ones Read Review
Nobody is going to mistake this for a great album, but NonStopErotik really peaks and flows well while having enough to make it worth an additional spin or two Read Review
Reaffirms Black Francis’ place as a great songwriter in the rock pantheon Read Review
If the Pixies ever recorded a new album it would probably sound like ‘NonStopErotik’ Read Review
He may never blowtorch the listener again like he did in those early days of the Pixies, but he still has more ideas per record than most bands have in their entire careers Read Review
Frank Black has finally turned in the greatest number of memorable tunes ever amassed on a FB/BF release; NonStopErotik deserves to turn heads Read Review
NonStopErotik aims to be a fast-paced, smutty guitar-rock album, and it hits that without any trouble Read Review
While it won't make you forget the Pixies, some of it seems specifically designed to bring them to mind Read Review
Black Francis running on half a tank still sounds better than most bands gunning at full throttle Read Review
It never really goes anywhere and fails to muster any emotion or energy Read Review
A collection of songs inspired by his love of the female anatomy. As if that concept alone didn't reek of impending mid-life crisis, the actual music is even more shagged-out Read Review
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Black Francis: Nonstoperotik
Jay Som Belong
The final sounds of Belong are the sounds of a party, heard from just outside, what you missed out on from expecting so much, rather than simply letting things happen as they may Beats Per Minute
The Antlers Blight
Blight may not be for everyone. For some though, it’s offering a sort of presence; an outstretched hand to join in and reflect on the strangled futures. It’s beautiful, restrained, and quietly heart-shattering Northern Transmissions
More than worth the wait DIY
Lola Young I'm Only F**king Myself
Lola Young turns heartbreak, chaos, and self-sabotage into art on her latest record — a brutally honest, sonically wild ride that’s equal parts hangover and healing Spectrum Culture
Barry Can’t Swim Loner
Loner will see Barry Can’t Swim continue his rapid ascent and, in turn, cement his status as one of the most exciting new talents in electronic dance music PopMatters
Cate Le Bon Michelangelo Dying
As Cate Le Bon navigates difficult emotional states, it may seem like the road was a challenging one to traverse, but it has resulted in some of her best work PopMatters
Snõõper Worldwide
Studio production, wordier songwriting, and a vintage drum machine don’t slow down the egg-punk band. Their second album is rowdy and relentless as ever Pitchfork
Emotionally exhausting yet frequently stunning, this is an effortlessly compelling and haunting addition to Peter Silberman and co’s impressive canon musicOMH
Doja Cat Vie
On Vie, Doja Cat references the 1980s to prove that pop is one of many genres in her wheelhouse. Doja remains an elusive, genre-bending savant PopMatters
Geese Getting Killed
The Brooklyn four-piece’s impressive latest is an album that feels longer than it really is, but still makes you frustrated when it ends Spectrum Culture
Nine Inch Nails Tron: Ares Soundtrack
Until they release a “real” NIN record, at least this one is as real as you want it to be Spectrum Culture
Jade That's Showbiz Baby!
Where That’s Showbiz Baby succeeds as a Europop album, it suffers from severe overproduction and fails to establish Jade with a clear identity outside of Little Mix Spectrum Culture
If Super Snooper is a test run that puts the band onto the next stage, then Worldwide is the proper showcase of what Snooper can efficiently do in their compositions, now pushed to another level with more weight in theme and production Northern Transmissions
Fans and new listeners alike should have no trouble riding shotgun with Duterte – as she reaches for new levels of authenticity The Line Of Best Fit
What once was meticulous and solitary is now plural and porous, Jay Som’s Belong is a study in letting go The Skinny
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
Spiritbox Tsunami Sea
Self Esteem Prioritise Pleasure
Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Skeleton Tree
Frank Ocean Channel Orange