21 September 2025
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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Detroit post-punk rockers return with their second album
7.4
An already incredible band moving even further forward in their development, approaching the same instant classic standards of their best contemporaries and turning in their most intricate work so far Read Review
It is massive in scope and meaning, a raging punk album that’s too intricate to be considered such, and surely one that swells with a potent synthesis of tenderness and staggering resilience Read Review
The disjointed nature of Under Color’s thrust somehow catapults its enjoyability Read Review
This time around, the band's embraced a consistent ebb and flow, continually shifting back and forth from simmer to full-boil Read Review
It's the sound of Detroit disintegrating. Print edition only
Thirty-five minutes of Casey's sardonic recriminations feels like a bit much, but he stumbles onto a few melodic gems here Read Review
They released a bilious debut in 2012, but its follow-up is a more subtle piece of social commentary Read Review
Packs a dynamic punch from starting to finish, never outstaying its welcome at any point Read Review
Joe Casey sings every line like he's the drunkest guy in the bar, fighting to keep on his feet for one more round Read Review
A collection of hot-and-bothered post-post-punk songs that convey a world-weary melancholy without ever wallowing in it Read Review
Protomartyr’s influences tightened their post-punk screws after their debut, and if this is Protomartyr’s Pink Flag, their Chairs Missing will be stellar Read Review
This is safe, masculine post-punk with a rock edge Read Review
Although it may be here where we find this sound, the entire album is a constant nod to the punk that went before them Read Review
There are tunes aplenty, making this second Protomartyr album a surprisingly pleasurable dose of swaggering anomie Read Review
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Protomartyr: Under Color of Official Right
Wednesday Bleeds
It has all the ingredients and themes explored, the witty lyrics depicting eccentric narratives, soulful steel and melodic guitar, whether scratchy or tender Clash
Biffy Clyro Futique
It’s a good effort in their catalogue with some shining moments, but it’s unlikely to invite those in who aren’t already fans of the band Clash
Karly Hartzman leads her North Carolina band in another triumph. The careful songwriting and coiled performances wrestle with the many fiascos of life and love Pitchfork
Alice Cooper The Revenge Of Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper still possess artistry in spades. As their new album reveals, the band’s musical bond was too strong to be broken by time—or even by death PopMatters
Kieran Hebden and William Tyler 41 Longfield Street Late ‘80s
It’s ultimately futile to fight the album’s considerable charms, culminating in “When It Rains”, a low-lit, minimalist beauty that eventually curdles into a storm of fiercely shrieking guitar feedback and electronic dissonance The Line Of Best Fit
Bringing some straight up country sounds to the mix broadens Hartzman’s palette and the added variety makes Bleeds an across the board winner Under The Radar
Jade That's Showbiz Baby!
Jade has released one of the most fun, ambitious and varied debut albums of the year. It was more than worth the wait God Is In The TV
NewDad Altar
Dawson resists, bawling the word 'hate' on the scathing 'Roobosh', as if she were Poly Styrene or Siouxsie Sioux The Arts Desk
Not too extreme, but also not safe; Biffy Clyro soar elegantly here The Arts Desk
With more eyes on Wednesday than ever before, Karly Hartzman has delivered a record that’s lean, confrontational and lived-in NME
Looking inward for a reason to go on, the Scottish rock legends draw on their best moments and a Bowie-esque European sheen for a vulnerable yet life-affirming blast NME
On the indie rock outfit’s fourth album, darkness and humor uplift each other with jocose morbidity as Karly Hartzman’s pen amplifies them both Paste Magazine
Maruja Pain To Power
Musically, Pain to Power doesn’t stick to one genre. The raw edge of post-punk collides with jazz, doom, rap-rock, and post-rock ambience Northern Transmissions
Bleeds is an album of being kept awake by the trivial, a collage of bleary-eyed snapshots of the humorously mundane and our attempts to wrestle with their unsightliness Northern Transmissions
Violent Nature might be the most honest record I Prevail have given us in their quick rise. Having come through big change, they’re embracing their new reality, and delivering on their promise to be one of the finest metalcore acts of their time Kerrang!
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
Spiritbox Tsunami Sea
Self Esteem Prioritise Pleasure
Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Skeleton Tree
Frank Ocean Channel Orange