29 March 2024
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 2008 European release from the new wave disco diva gets the 'deluxe' treatment with the addition of dub versions by producer Ivor Guest
6.6
Hurricane Dub makes excellent dollar-sense if you missed Hurricane the first time around Read Review
A wonderful demonstration of what you might call "state-of-the-dub" in 2011. Print edition only
The [dub] versions - while sometimes flirting with monotony - serve as atmospheric soundscapes and spacey variations on a theme. But they're no substitute for Hurricane's versions Read Review
She sounds open-hearted and comfortable across moods and genre Read Review
Jones co-wrote all the material, and it shrewdly plays to her age and experience (she’s 63), like a latter-day Marianne Faithful Read Review
An intriguing and ultimately winning companion, one that feels like the soundtrack to a trek through a futuristic jungle Read Review
These extended versions come off a bit thin in comparison to the original mix and lose the interesting, claustrophobic feeling present in many of the songs Read Review
‘This Is Dub”s reggae tendencies are coaxed out further; the slick, whiplash, dancehall two-step beat becoming more and more intoxicating with each listen Read Review
They are not radical re-workings but rather echo-laden instrumental versions in the traditional reggae sense Read Review
Instead of embellishing and reimagining the original tunes, producer Ivor Guest simply fiddles with the knobs until the results bear little or no resemblance to the originals Read Review
Its a shame producer Ivor Guest didn't employ an experienced dub scientist instead of attempting it himself. Print edition only
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Grace Jones: Hurricane / Dub
Sheryl Crow Evolution
It is somewhat predictably a soundtrack of life-affirming but slightly knocked-about beige wisdom wearing a pair of cowgal boots The Arts Desk
It’s hard to see Evolution as anything less than a gift – something positive put out into the world. Sheryl Crow is just what the doctor ordered The Line Of Best Fit
The vibe is familiar but the sound is fresh and, better still, Evolution isn't ponderous: it's brisk and bright, keeping its focus squarely on the gifts that brought Crow into the Rock Hal All Music
With ‘Evolution’ it feels like this has been an album she has been itching to make and she has done so with wisdom, purpose and candour Clash
Chastity Belt Live Laugh Love
Overall this record is a heady, expansive treat. Print edition only Mojo
Chastity Belt's latest asks that we move through the world with just a bit more compassion and humour — a little life, a little love, a little laughter Exclaim
Chastity Belt are dovish and disarming on Live Laugh Love, which explores the self. It’s unadulterated self-expression in its purest form PopMatters
By opening up their songwriting process, the band have managed to carve out an even more singular sound. The possibilities from here seem endless DIY
The four-piece’s dreamy fifth album is refreshingly lucid and the culmination of each member's lifelong musical evolution taking the collective whole to new heights Paste Magazine
Jlin Akoma
On her dazzlingly detailed new album of experimental post-footwork, the Indiana producer pushes extreme rhythmic precision so far that it begins to feel psychedelic Pitchfork
Tyla Tyla
The South African singer’s star-making debut is a lithe, contemporary take on pop-R&B that pulses with the log-drum heartbeat of amapiano Pitchfork
Adrianne Lenker Bright Future
Bright Future’s recording style mirrors the listener’s experience: as time goes on, these songs and the emotions associated with them will inevitably deepen, transmute, and attach themselves to the memory of different people Rolling Stone
The Staves All Now
There are times when the multi-coloured music on All Now can sound Americanized (understandable with American producer John Congleton once again at the helm) but the lyrics are written with idiosyncratic English cautious optimism that will make it relate especially to those from England, while also providing perhaps helpful insight to the uninitiated God Is In The TV
Julia Holter Something in the Room She Moves
An interpretive reflection of the giddy dizziness that one might feel when enjoying life’s unpredictable now God Is In The TV
Waxahatchee Tigers Blood
One of the few uniting and defining records of the moment, especially in the face of the recent trend of popularization of the roots music and its assimilation into the indie audience God Is In The TV
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
Self Esteem Prioritise Pleasure
Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Skeleton Tree
Frank Ocean Channel Orange
Dave We’re All Alone In This Together