3 November 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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Second album from the Minneapolis alternative hip-hop artist Melissa Jefferson
7.3
Hip hop needs a strong female voice today—one that matches the pop magnetism of Beyoncé, but with the political and social awareness of Killer Mike. With Big GRRRL Small World, Lizzo seems primed and ready to fill that spot Read Review
What makes it such a great album is how gleeful it all sounds Read Review
It is incredibly refreshing to hear such a clear and resounding voice amongst what is an admittedly misogynistic crowd Read Review
The bulk of tracks on here are far more sober and introspective than her first record Read Review
While she’s toned down the confrontation musically on this follow-up, lyrically it cuts even sharper Read Review
Persuasive R&B with strident lyrics and sharp sonics. Print edition only
Themes of race, gender and identity recur, categories that are negotiated as ingeniously as the musical genres Read Review
It also sounds gorgeous; largely produced by BJ Burton (Low, Sylvan Esso, Poliça), the album is full of unexpected turns and immaculate codas Read Review
Sounds like the work of someone too tireless to limit herself to genre lines or defined boxes Read Review
A sonic and symbolic sweet spot Read Review
A couple of intense stand outs Read Review
There may be only a small coterie of rappers digging into these topics, yet Lizzo shows you can do so and still have a good time Read Review
There’s a greater musicality afoot this time and a more generous emotional palette; less rage, more nuance Read Review
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Lizzo: Big GRRRL Small World
Snocaps Snocaps
The Crutchfield twins — accompanied by MJ Lenderman and Brad Cook — reunite for a spirited new project that plays to their strengths and embraces all the miles they’ve traveled Pitchfork
Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield and her twin sister Allison Crutchfield of Swearin’ get together for a fantastic surprise album Rolling Stone
Despite Snocaps' supergroup pedigree, their debut album feels less like boygenius-style star-making moment and more like a low-stakes romp. With a spirit of fun and camaraderie, this feels a bit like the rock-leaning cousin to Katie Crutchfield's band Plains Exclaim
Music from Katie is always welcome and, these days, not so rare. Which makes the return of Allison to the forefront on half these tracks the most wonderful of Snocaps’ surprises Under The Radar
Waxahatchee and her twin sister are joined by Lenderman and Brad Cook for an album of headstrong, tender Americana about chasing integrity and conviction The Guardian
The twin sisters’ first album together since P.S. Eliot’s breakup in 2011 is a hailstorm of warm, exceptionally-written country-rock bangers backed by MJ Lenderman and Brad Cook Paste Magazine
Witch Fever Fevereaten
Every single aspect of this record presents an elevated version of a band that many already loved, and it’s a joy to listen to Far Out
Anna Von Hausswolff ICONOCLASTS
For newcomers, this album presents a near perfect, accessible entry into her recordings All Music
The Charlatans We Are Love
The Charlatans have done with We Are Love and while it may not win them front page news, it's an accomplishment well worth applauding All Music
Florence + The Machine Everybody Scream
Her first album after three difficult years is an epic reassertion of Florence’s fearsome, spell-binding power Evening Standard
It’s the sound of a band unafraid to stare something horrible in the face and keep moving forward anyway Dork
A little more of Final Girl's filmic atmospherics might have added life and range, but when Drank The Sap hits its stride, Witch Fever max the catharsis with satisfying force. Print edition only Record Collector
Witch Fever is a band with overwhelming promise. Even in ‘FEVEREATEN’s less cohesive moments, they show their potential to grow into their sound and harness every remnant of emotion Clash
In their second full-length album, Manchester's Witch Fever deliver a high impact, genre-bending rejection of hegemony The Skinny
This is an album for the coldest of autumns and for dark nights of the soul. It’s hellish, haunting and an emotional maelstrom, deeper and more textured than Witch Fever have ever gone before. At this point, everyone needs to know who this band are 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