9 November 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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Latest album of Americana from veteran Tucson, Arizon band fronted by singer-songwriter Howe Gelb
7.0
Blurry Blue Mountain's shimmers and shivers in the best possible way Read Review
One of the more romantic outings for Gelb and his band Read Review
A lovely, oddly charming record Read Review
Rich, detailed, and poetic, Blurry Blue Mountain explores human emotion and the meaning of life like the great writers of old Read Review
If Giant Sand had released fewer great albums, Blurry Blue Mountain would sound something close to miraculous. As it is, it’s a worthy addition to a catalogue which was already embarrassed with riches Read Review
Idiosyncratic and left-handed as ever. Print edition only
Blurry Blue Mountain is another late career album that falls in the 'good enough to listen to, not quite hot enough to buy' category Read Review
Warm and enveloping. Print edition only
Blurry Blue Mountain offers a grounded and solid body of work by a craftsman Read Review
The devilish shuffle of ‘Ride The Rail’ is particularly strong, as if Johnny Cash were re-imagined by Leonard Cohen Read Review
If you're willing to make the time...Blurry Blue Mountain will repay your attention Read Review
A cozy, enjoyable listen—though perhaps a little too long—and Gelb comes off like a cool uncle, happy to nod sagely while we sit around and listen to his stories Read Review
Anybody who enjoyed Bill Callahan's last album could do worse than give this a listen. Print edition only
Gelb's voice approaches the baritone depths of Leonard Cohen in places, with the dry wit to match Read Review
Sounds a lot like a guy reading so-so poetry in an unconvincing voice over sleepy southwestern background music Read Review
Giant Sand: Blurry Blue Mountain
Django Django Doveland
Django Django would appear to have refreshed their approach and challenged themselves to try out previously unconsidered melodic avenues The Arts Desk
Print edition only Uncut
Gilla Band Pugnello
Somewhere amidst the anarchy of Pugnello, there are gems waiting to be found. Unearthing them is well worth your time Still Listening
Greg Freeman All Set The Bone
Existentialism has a sound (and it’s hard to ignore) with Greg Freeman’s introspective All Set The Bone Still Listening
U2 Carnaval de Luz
Carnaval De Luz finds U2 50 years after their formation with the same four members and the same desire to shake things up. The album provides a convincing answer to the question of why they keep doing what they do XS Noize
Fontaines D.C. Dopamine Chamber
Fontaines D.C. push deeper into synthetic territory on Dopamine Chamber, balancing stadium-sized melodies with restless experimentation and darker texture Record Collector
They sound ambitious and engaged in their 50th year, swinging for the fences and hitting more targets than not. There’s still some gas in the tank Record Collector
La Roux Old Flames
Print edition only Record Collector
Back with her first new music in six years, La Roux's new sound explores facets of R'n'B and Europop to varying degrees of success The Skinny
La Roux turns to 90s R&B on a fourth album shaped by the end of a 17-year relationship, finding room for new beginnings beneath its layered production Still Listening
Print edition only Rolling Stone UK
Devastating moments are dressed up with warm production and kinetic 00s R&B in the now quiff-less singer’s grownup fourth album The Guardian
Elly Jackson returns with heartfelt pop songs about breaking up, resentment, vulnerability and all that entails musicOMH
Ditching erratic experimentation for an ambient concept, the indie shapeshifters' sixth album is their most coherent in years musicOMH
Doveland sounds less like a reduction of Django Django’s musical vocabulary than a more relaxed demonstration of how much they possess PopMatters
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