30 April 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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Debut release from the English indie pop/rock act
6.4
It's been worth the trip … lays down punch after punch of melodic, unkempt punk rock. Read Review
Lovvers have created an album which seems to sparkle with raw electricity, from the open wham bang right through to the throbbing chords and guitar meltdown of 'Wild Smiles'. It might not be completely original, but as the guitar finally squalls into low end distortion over hollered shouts, you can just picture those cheerleaders in front of the stage as the band royally tear it up Read Review
It’s not perfect, and on occasions borders on the repetitive, but when it clicks ‘OCD Go Go Go Girls’ contains moments that stick a goofy grin on your face and makes you want to grab strangers by the ear and shout: listen to this! Read Review
It's brimful with melody, scuffed guitars and singer Shaun Hencher's scuzzy vocals. Combined, these elements produce a sound akin to garage rock being dragged through a meat processor Read Review
These are well-crafted songs, the main sticking point of which is that too many have similar pace and feel which means that not enough of the tracks stand out on their own merits. In a way it's the new fully-formed songs that let them down. As a garage band they're not going to write hooks as strong as, say, The Strokes do Read Review
An imperfect heads-up for Lovvers’ live skills. Read Review
Lovvers: OCD Go Go Go Girls
Hovvdy Hovvdy
The Austin duo’s hushed and unassuming double album is a capstone to their career so far, a scrapbook of moments of love and loss from a life well-lived Pitchfork
The pair have fully blossomed from their early DIY start, showcasing an incredible range of indie pop craftsmanship and a grounded centredness built on empathy and understanding Exclaim
If at times you crave for something unhinged across these 19 songs, the sonic equivalent of a psychic break to disrupt the constant temperate mood, you inevitably fall back on Martin and Taylor’s fluid warmth. Their transition into scarred adult terrain still sounds remarkably peaceful Under The Radar
Their previous albums have gently invited you to settle into them, but Hovvdy pulls at you, trying to draw out moments of catharsis or festival-ready melody. If you give into that pull, the results are as endlessly blissful as ever The Line Of Best Fit
The Texas-bred duo’s new double-LP showcases a new spin on their signature light-footed production as well as a heavier subject matter Paste Magazine
Hovvdy houses their most eclectic transitions and banger-certified pop songs Spin
St. Vincent All Born Screaming
Recreating the noises in her head, Annie Clark’s first fully self-produced album ranges across styles and emotions, and is her most direct yet The Observer
Justice Hyperdrama
The French producer duo attempt a return to their roots, but the results are a little too polished The Observer
An album that confidently states Annie Clark as one of the greatest songwriters around while Dork
While the album may lack the tension that once made Justice’s music feel so robust, it’s a valiant effort nonetheless—a sonic escapade that’s equal parts exhilarating and frustrating Northern Transmissions
The iconic, chameleonic rocker’s course-correcting seventh solo album is as harrowing as it is hopeful—and her heaviest yet Paste Magazine
Hyperdrama will ultimately please fans who enjoyed their last two albums, but for anyone else hoping for a more adventurous LP that captures the succinct, edgy and grimy attitude of Cross, you’re going to be left disappointed Sputnik Music (staff)
Taylor Swift The Tortured Poets Department
Taylor Swift doubles down on heartbreak, wordplay and literary references, making The Tortured Poets Department a far more mature, though perhaps not entirely necessary, installment to her discography Spectrum Culture
Retains their usual slightly gnarly but smartly turned-out vibe The Arts Desk
Clark connected the playfulness of Daddy’s Home with the eclecticism of her early works, finally achieving one of her most unpredictable, disobedient, and wicked works to date God Is In The TV
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