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26 May 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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Ed O’BrienBlue Morpho

"The guitarist’s album might be the most Radiohead side project yet to emerge from the mother ship" (8/10 - The Irish Times). "Works that move and grow like the building blocks of life itself" (8/10 - Clash)

New

The Coral388

"It’s a lucky number thirteen for fans – The Coral remain a band to cherish" (8/10 - Clash). "Every choppy guitar line and snaking Hammond or Farfisa lick form hooks in their own right" (8/10 - The Arts Desk)

New

RostamAmerican Stories

"Meticulous, inventive record" (8/10 - Mojo). "A record of reflection and connection that ranks among the more beautiful-sounding you might hear this year" (8/10 - DIY)

Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

Aldous HardingTrain On The Island

"A spellbinding listen, the high water mark of Harding's singular career" (9/10 - Exclaim. "It’s an oblique character study of herself, and the best album of her career so far" (9/10 - Pitchfork)

KneecapFENIAN

"After their Glastonbury fracas and legal troubles, political friction provides the backbone to this dense, musically adventurous third album" (9/10 - musicOMH).

FrikoSomething Worth Waiting For

"A record that leaves the kind of impression more associated with acts with far lengthier histories" (9/10 - DIY). "A euphoric, breakneck adventure towards a promised land" (8/10 - The Skinny)

Lime GardenMaybe Not Tonight

"A breakup album that wears its messiness on its sleeve, Lime Garden’s second is figuring life out, track by track" (9/10 - NME). "A new indie disco essential" (9/10 - DIY)

Angine de PoitrineVol.II

"There's a ferocity and alienness to the complexity" (10/10 - Exclaim). "It breathes on its own and speaks without words. Angine de Poitrine let the music do the talking" (8.4/10 - Northern Transmissions)

The Twilight SadIt's The Long Goodbye

"An astonishing body of work that firmly emphasizes what an important band The Twilight Sad are" (9/10 - Under The Radar). "A powerful and truly wonderful return from The Twilight Sad" (9/10 - Clash)

New Universe

Desolation Wilderness

New Universe

Second release of guitar-led melodies from the Washington lo-fi slowcore trio

Label: K
UK Release date: 04/08/2009

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6.3 3101
6.3 | Pitchfork

A nice bit of gauzy, gray-hued racket to throw on when you've only got so much attention to give
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6.0 7836
6.0 | Mojo

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Desolation Wilderness: New Universe

Download full album for just £7.49
1. Venice Beach £0.99
2. Boardwalk Theme £0.99
3. Moon Dreams £0.99
4. Strange Cool Girl £0.99
5. Slow Fade £0.99
6. Restless Heart £0.99
7. Satellite Song £0.99
8. San Francisco 2AM £0.99
9. You Hold A Power Over Me £0.99
10. No Tomorrow £0.99

Latest Reviews

Ed O’Brien Blue Morpho

‘Blue Morpho’ offers a reminder that, as he and his other bandmates have repeatedly proved, O’Brien boasts a wholly-uninhibited approach to how rock and pop music is arranged, resulting in works that move and grow like the building blocks of life itself Clash

Kevin Morby Little Wide Open

Represents a musical homecoming for Morby to the Americana that is central to much of his work No Ripcord

Lykke Li The Afterparty

On a purportedly final album, the Swedish electro-pop singer’s disenchantment takes shape around sparkling synth and light-touch disco beats Pitchfork

All-time top 10

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.