28 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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Latest solo album from noise rock pioneer and Sonic Youth co-founder also features drummer Steve Shelley
6.5
His voice is warm and full of character, his lyrics elegant and the playing stellar Read Review
A thoroughly mature album that concentrates and intensifies the sweeping warmth of Ranaldo’s songs for his old band Read Review
Ambitious, mature and noisy. Print edition only
A dark, brooding album Read Review
If other aging musicians are any indication, this is the time (age 57) when he’s supposed to throw any ol’ idea against the wall whether it sticks or not. He manages to make the majority of them adhere Read Review
Almost every aural detail is simply pretty, every guitar texture inviting, and perhaps the most impressive part is that it’s here just one year after Times and Tides Read Review
When Last Night on Earth gets it right, the results are magical Read Review
Fluid guitars reaching towards the sky as through trying to grasp at clouds Read Review
Largely consists of sprawling, dizzying hills of pop-tinged melody, charged with a dark lyrical undertone Read Review
Mostly recognisable as one of Sonic Youth's architects. Print edition only
A meandering, elastic record—and a side effort that will be lost on most Sonic Youth fans Read Review
There are certainly worse ways for Lee Ranaldo to while away his post-Sonic Youth days, so seeing him playing in a Grateful Dead-inspired jam band isn’t the worst thing in the world Read Review
It's just a little underwhelming. Print edition only
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Lee Ranaldo And The Dust: Last Night On Earth
Tyla Tyla
TYLA will remain as the expertly crafted record that allowed amapiano a moment to shine before new audiences Beats Per Minute
TYLA’s debut album taps into the emerging energies of spring to produce one of 2024’s most insistent projects. The world is hers Clash
The South African singer follows the success of "Water" with a sweet full-length statement Rolling Stone
There are plenty of savvy, intriguing ideas on this self-titled debut that show off the South African artist's range NME
TYLA is turned up to 11 – there is little emotional or energetic dynamism on the album, but every song is club-ready, danceable and infectious The Line Of Best Fit
Julia Holter Something in the Room She Moves
The LA musician's latest processes difficult life changes while juggling them with gratitude for new beginnings, but does so in a manner that mirrors how these conflicts really feel, creating something evocative and challenging even in its more muted turns Paste Magazine
Elbow Audio Vertigo
Guy Garvey and company return with renewed energy, a punchier attack and infectious grooves on Elbow’s tenth studio album, Audio Vertigo PopMatters
Julia Holter drips her semi-conscious thoughts on the musical canvas to access her artistic sensibility, but she seems a bit unsure of the process PopMatters
Empress Of For Your Consideration
Lorely Rodriguez’s fourth album is a dazzling showcase for her unexpected vocal and production approach as she experiences the peaks and valleys of heated romance Pitchfork
Gossip Real Power
Beth Ditto’s second solo LP turned into a full-fledged Gossip comeback once her bandmates got involved. Rick Rubin captures the carefree vibes of old friends enjoying each other’s company Pitchfork
If her latest is any proof, Rodriguez is finally comfortable with herself – not just as a writer who excels at leaving melodies on your tongue, but as a lover, a dancer, and her own shooting star Clash
Waxahatchee Tigers Blood
With Tigers Blood, Katie Crutchfield has consolidated her position as one of the finest songwriters in modern independent music Beats Per Minute
Elbow are back! Northern Transmissions
On her sixth album, Katie Crutchfield teams up with MJ Lenderman, the Cook brothers and Spencer Tweedy to create hard-won and time-worn brilliance Paste Magazine
Tierra Whack World Wide Whack
The influential but less-than-prolific Philly rapper returns with a spare, casually compelling full length Spectrum Culture
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