19 September 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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Second album from soulful Montreal singer-songwriter Al Spx, featuring lead single “Absisto”
6.6
An expanded musical palette that pushes Neuroplasticity beyond the ‘doom soul’ territory confidently staked out on 2012 debut I Predict a Graceful Expulsion Read Review
A record that manages to reveal its treasures over multiple listens without ever sacrificing immediate appeal Read Review
A real contender for Canadian Album of the Year Read Review
The grace is still there, but something far more engrossing has now been added to the mix Read Review
One of the year's notable albums Read Review
On "A quiet Chill", Spx growls "I remain unshakeable?. Every note on this compelling album backs her up. Print edition only
Simultaneously lets the listener into her world and bolsters her anonymity Read Review
As much as it's just a transition for Spx into something that takes a variety of musical turns Read Review
Her voice is as mesmeric and worldly as ever, and the instrumentation is rendered in beautiful detail. But it’s tantalising to wonder what would have happened if she would have given herself completely to chaos Read Review
Spx could do with some melodies as memorable as the music-making behind them Read Review
Sonic spaciousness with reverberant drums, eerie, ethereal keyboards and spidery guitars framing up-front delivery Print edition only
In trying to channel one of her biggest influences — the powerful, pummeling noise rock deity that is Michael Gira — she gets eaten alive Read Review
It isn’t easy enough to love on the first spin, but it’s not complex enough to get better with repeated plays either Read Review
Despite a greater focus on musicality, tunes remain hard to come by Read Review
Too cold and distancing to be able to connect to Read Review
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Cold Specks: Neuroplasticity
Haroumi Hosono Yours Sincerely
By the time you softly float out of Hosono’s world on the fairground closer ‘Anemo Wheel’ you’ll find yourself desperately flicking back to the first track, to play the album again and get a better understanding of the textural approach Far Out
Beabadoobee Pylon
Beabadoobee’s latest offering has appeal, but that’s only if you prefer to take your rock music highly manufactured Far Out
Struggles to live up to her strengths The Line Of Best Fit
Laus circles the dynamics of her electrifying debut Fake It Flowers, but never quite recaptures its precise power. Print edition only Mojo
Another stellar record. Print edition only Record Collector
Members of Turnstile, Deftones, Paramore, and Pinegrove push Bea Kristi toward slightly grungier, angstier territory on her fourth album Pitchfork
The Dirty Hit signee embraces uncertainty on a rawer, more forceful fourth album NME
On her excellent fourth album, the young star pumps all her doubts and fears into righteous guitar noise Rolling Stone
This is where she came from, this is what shaped her, and she’s the one at the helm DIY
The Filipino-British songwriter’s fourth album sprinkles 90s alt fuzz with disarmingly sweet melodies and an impressive host of guests including Paramore’s Hayley Williams and Turnstile’s Brendan Yates The Guardian
Beatrice Laus comes full circle on her fourth album, a return to the soaring pop-punk of her early days and her most consistent release to date musicOMH
Pylon is a powerful marker — a sign of how possible it is to make music that's as filled with unselfconscious pop catharsis as it is with ragged, irreplaceable soul Exclaim
Beck Ride Lonesome
There is still wonder in his music, only now it comes from refinement rather than reinvention Clash
Echo And The Bunnymen Apples For Isaac
Echo & The Bunnymen’s first album in more than a decade is a resounding success that both band and production team can take great pride in. The Liverpool greats rise to the occasion, expertly balancing darkness and pain with optimism, hope and love Clash
Final part to the deeply heartfelt trilogy of albums in response to his divorce is wondrous and uniquely uplifting musicOMH
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
Rosalía Lux
Kendrick Lamar Damn.
D'Angelo And The Vanguard Black Messiah
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Ghosteen
Spiritbox Tsunami Sea
Self Esteem Prioritise Pleasure
Hayley Williams Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party
Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways