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7 December 2013

Here's how it works: The Recent Releases chart brings together critical reaction to new albums from more than 50 publications 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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TOYJoin The Dots

A generally good response for the latest from the London band. "A strong second album from a band in the ascendancy" says NME while LoBF think they "make a cracking psychedelic, shoegaze noise"

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British Sea PowerFrom the Sea to the Land Beyond

Three highly appreciative reviews for the latest from the indie rock sextet, the soundtrack to a film about the British coast by Penny Woolcock. All Music verdict is that "this isn't rock & roll, but what it is is something very special"

Black FlagWhat The...

The critical reception for the first release of new material since 1985 from the hardcore punk pioneers does not make for pleasant reading. The highest rating is a 5/10 from All Music, who describe it as "clumsy and half-hearted"

ShearwaterFellow Travelers

A polite response for this album of covers of songs by former touring partners from Jonathan Meiburg's operatic indie outfit. Some reasonable scores but most see it as a 'stop-gap" or "a missed opportunity"

Brendan BensonYou Were Right

A mixed reception for the latest from the Michigan singer-songwriter; Uncut give it 8 and call it "unusually clever", but there's a 4.5 from Under The Radar, who feel it's "disjointed and overlong"

SumieSumie

"Endearingly arresting" is how music OMH see the minimal alt.folk debut from Sandra Sumie Nagano, and it's a view shared by other critics. Drowned in Sound advise that it "will gradually make an impression"

New WarNew War

A positive set of reviews for the debut from the Melbourne quartet. Loud & Quiet say they're at their best "with heads down, rocking out", while The Quietus admire their "exceptional sense of controlled chaos"

Marconi Union

Different Colours

Album No.6 from the Manchester-based ambient electronica specialists

ADM rating[?]: 7.6
Label: Just
UK Release date: 18/06/2012
US Release date: 26/06/2012

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9.0 43153
9.0 | Clash

Their introspective ruminations are affecting and bring something new to the world of ambient music
Read Review
8.0 43613
8.0 | Mojo

Elegant, expertly constructed. Print edition only
8.0 44517
8.0 | The Irish Times

Marconi Union dig deep into the vaults for their often masterful 4am ambient comedowns
Read Review
8.0 43152
8.0 | The Skinny

An irresistibly warm and seamless journey through post-rock and electronica’s dreamy hinterlands
Read Review
7.0 43151
7.0 | music OMH

A more diverse album than one might expect, and shows that the state of the Union is very healthy indeed
Read Review
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Marconi Union: Different Colours

Download full album for just £6.93
1. First Light £0.99
2. Alone Together £0.99
3. Flying (in crimson skies) £0.99
4. Always Numb £0.99
5. Time Lapse £0.99
6. On Reflection £0.99
7. Broken Colours £0.99

Latest Reviews

TOY Join The Dots

Join The Dots is a very good album, derivative maybe, but much more than the sum of its parts music OMH

Mutual Benefit Love’s Crushing Diamond

"Gentle" and "reassuring" aren't necessarily the most exciting compliments to give an album, but Mutual Benefit's Jordan Lee turns those virtues into a remarkably engaging full-length debut All Music

Mutual Benefit Love’s Crushing Diamond

For those of us always searching for something new, for something else, particularly in music, this is the type of album that we are looking for Paste Magazine

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Fresh Stuff

Love’s Crushing Diamond, by Mutual Benefit

Some extremely enthusiastic reviews for the full-length debut from Brooklyn-based indie folk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jordan Lee. As well as a BNM from Pitchfork, there's a 9/10 from Consequence of Sound, while All Music call it "a remarkably engaging debut"

Cold Crows DeadI Fear A New World
Brighton-based artists Murray McLeod and Paul Steel combine retro psychedelia and grunge on this collaborative debut, and attract respectable praise for their efforts. "You can't help but admire their ambition" is Uncut's response

Robert PollardBlazing Gentlemen
It's solo album number 20, and second of 2013, from the hyperactive singer-songwriter, and according to The Line Of Best Fit, he's "in as relentlessly fine form as ever". AV Club concur, stating: "Chalk this one up as a hit"

Xiu XiuNina
A collection of Nina Simone song covers from the art rock / synth pop band gets a good response with All Music saying it "marks the return of Xiu Xiu's uncompromising side at its often exhilarating best"

Beachwood SparksDesert Skies
A generally positive response for this collection of unreleased 1997 recordings from the alt country LA band with most critics agreeing that their "early days are worth exploring" (Mojo).

All-time top 10

Since we've been around, that is. So, the highest-rated albums from the past four years and a half or so. Rankings are calculated to two decimal places.

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