20 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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Trevor Powers' third album of neo-psychedelic dream pop, produced by Ali Chant (Perfume Genius, Gruff Rhys)
6.6
Trevor Powers has produced another remarkable album in a discography that seems to be ever-expanding, never content to stick with one style, yet consistently delivering a style fully his own Read Review
Powers has expanded the Youth Lagoon sound without losing any of the intimacy of his bedroom pop beginnings Read Review
Forever surfing skywards on euphoric dreamrock currents. Print edition only
He could tell stories for days, and he compresses tragic, ponderous tales into striking songs backed by strings and wild instrumentation Read Review
Savage Hills Ballroom has highlights worth celebrating. Three albums in, Youth Lagoon will likely remain as lauded as before Read Review
On his third album, Powers is back to building, but he’s ditched the pillow forts in favor of more ambitious frameworks, surpassing even the wonders of Bughouse… musically Read Review
The most truly self-searching Youth Lagoon album Read Review
An incredibly textured album full of nighttime philosophising Read Review
Not to say that Ballroom lacks the charms and flourishes that signify a Youth Lagoon record; they’re just honed to their bare essentials Read Review
The 26-year-old from Boise, Idaho, sounds bolder, the production is crisper, and the wondrous effects that characterized his dreamy sound have nearly disappeared Read Review
An acquired taste, but those who enjoy a bitter pill will swallow it whole. Print edition only
Demonstrates Power’s unpredictability and it will certainly be interesting to see which direction he chooses to take Youth Lagoon in next Read Review
Powers is blessed with one of the more appealingly idiosyncratic voices in indie rock, a kind of eunuchoid Appalachian warble Read Review
Can a band thrive when it’s stripped of everything that made it unique? Read Review
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Youth Lagoon: Savage Hills Ballroom
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