13 July 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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Debut LP from Dutch-born musician Annelotte de Graaf, backed by a band consisting of members of Real Estate, Quilt and Kevin Morby, and produced by The Men’s Ben Greenberg
7.7
An album as determined as it is dizzying Read Review
A remarkable record that simply demands your attention Read Review
Each listen of the 39 minutes of Amber Arcades carves ever deeper patterns into a frozen lake, solidifying a state of meaning in one’s mind. An album made with clean lines but not strict boundaries Read Review
There may be better albums than Fading Lines released in 2016, but it's doubtful whether any of them will contain the same perfectly-weighted combination of sounds and influences Read Review
She proves adept at so many styles within her chosen niche on Fading Lines that her next album could go in any of four or five directions and sound very good Read Review
One of the most infectious collections of pop songs written on an electric guitar this year Read Review
Seemingly simple yet running far deeper than cursory listens reveal, it’s a record that sticks with you long after the closing notes Read Review
If there’s a criticism it’s in the album’s unwavering tone, which walks the fine line between dreaminess and apathy, but is saved from the latter by the keen production of The Men’s Ben Greenberg Read Review
An album which demands warmth on its back to reflect back the melodies and familiar nuances that only a balmy Summer can evoke Read Review
Enticing, if inconsistent, this seems to be an album that de Graaf had dreamed of making, building on the pretty, prosaic folk-pop of her self-titled EP in 2013 Read Review
As tends to happen with records like this, it might be a little too airy to grasp, and one song blends into the other Read Review
A sustained exercise in restraint, De Graaf’s airy voice anchored by backing from assorted US indie luminaries, who provide just enough muscle without overwhelming her Read Review
Amber Arcades' debut is a solid dream-pop album. A little more work on the pop side of the equation and she could be a lot more than solid Read Review
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Amber Arcades: Fading Lines
Wet Leg moisturizer
After the whirlwind of their debut album, the Isle Of Wight band could have capitulated to the pressure. Instead, they return smarter, sexier and altogether stronger NME
There’s also a fluidity to the entirety of Moisturizer that ventures beyond the limitations of the debut and everything Wet Leg signalled in their early stages Far Out
Barry Can’t Swim Loner
Loner is an easy improvement over Barry Can't Swim's debut album, and he retains his ability to craft reflective, sentimental material while strengthening his skills at making airtight tracks designed to ignite the dancefloor All Music
Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers double down on the weird energy of their debut The Independent
Rhian Teasdale and co’s second album brilliantly refines all that was great about their brash, bouncy debut The Irish Times
After winning multiple Grammys and Brits, the Isle of Wight band explore love and sexuality on their second LP – but there’s still room for some barbed put-downs The Guardian
Wet Leg’s balance of danger and relaxation pays off in this turbulently fun listen. Excitingly crafted and dangerously sharp, moisturizer is the sound of someone rolling their eyes at how lovesick they’ve become, then shrugging before seeing how far it’ll take them Northern Transmissions
Gwenno Utopia
Utopia is different from her previous work not just because of the language shift, but because of how it was made. Instead of starting electronically, Gwenno composed most of these songs on piano, recording live with her band in her living room. That choice gives Utopia organic warmth. The human touch is evident in how the instruments breathe together Northern Transmissions
Another that sounds like it will be blasted from windows of all kinds whenever the sun shines The Arts Desk
On his latest record, Barry Can’t Swim cements himself as a boundary-pushing voice in electronic music, one fluent in mood, movement, and meaningful reflection The Skinny
U.K. indie-rockers party hard and travel fast on their great second album Rolling Stone
Gwenno’s songwriting matures compellingly on Utopia The Line Of Best Fit
Kesha . [Period]
Kesha’s . is a mess of a statement The Line Of Best Fit
Pulp More
Far more than the themes of aging, sex, and loss, Pulp’s More straight-facedly spreads the word of love and it is the start of something new — a rebirth PopMatters
The Scottish producer trades sun-soaked bliss for emotional introspection – without losing the big drops 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
Spiritbox Tsunami Sea
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