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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12th album of melancholic pop / folk from Canadian singer-sonwriter
6.6
The Canadian's struggles reflect in the darker moods and pithy lyrics that underpin an otherwise uplifting collection of twangy guitars and lovely pianos Read Review
Surfeit of classy, comforting songs. Print edition only
Every bit as superb as its predecessors. It's what's come to be expected, given Sexsmith's standards Read Review
Enough rich, fertile and well-crafted pop songs here that will, in an ideal world, win Sexsmith a host of new admirers Read Review
Few modern soft-rock troubadours are capable of something as catchy and touching as “Michael And His Dad,” Read Review
Some may find the record a little too lush Read Review
His gentle, simple melodies make for pleasant, unobtrusive listening Read Review
Expertly constructed, sunny-sounding but dark songs. Print edition only
This music has a nice shiny surface. That may be enough for some people. But most people’s tastes run deeper and darker Read Review
Brilliant songs; but they simply remind us of too many who got there first Read Review
Sexsmith sounds more polished and commercially viable than he ever has Read Review
Sexsmith is a talent who shouldn’t be resting on his laurels. It’s time to start exploring that dark side, Ron Read Review
Sexsmith is happiest when whispering soft-centred romance, and songs Heavenly, Miracles and the model ballad Love Shines fit that bill well Read Review
While the album’s polished and pristine, it also feels dated and somewhat lacklustre, any true inspiration placed on hold Read Review
Ron Sexsmith: Long Player Late Bloomer
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