29 March 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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Third full-length of surf rock from the California outfit
6.9
If you want to conjure the mood of a beautiful day in a warm California town, the Cool Ghouls are just the band to do it Read Review
Warm, retro pop jangle. Print edition only
Musically interesting, has strange but engaging themes, and brims with personality and humour Read Review
A record that, for its infrequent misfires, delivers on the band’s desires to resurrect the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll Read Review
Ultimately it’s a response to sugary summer pop songs that won’t keep you warm then the sun goes down Read Review
While Animal Races is a fine enough album in itself, you can’t help feeling that the best is yet to come Read Review
Animal Races offers few departures, being exploratory and decidedly retro, but it's appealingly rendered. Print edition only
Cool Ghouls don't betray the influence of any music made in their own lifetime, but they have a broad enough palette to make their third album more than just a period piece. Print edition only
Potential to inspire sentimentality among those who lived through the era to which it devotes itself, and to renew curiosity in rock's forebears among those who did not Read Review
Cool Ghouls: Animal Races
Sum 41 Heaven :X: Hell
Despite its imposing 20-count tracklist, ‘Heaven :x: Hell’ never drags, instead firing through hit after hit; time flies when you’re having fun, and Sum 41’s discography is a testament to that. It’s a grand culmination of their work so far Dork
It's a high energy, fun and skillful way to say goodbye The Arts Desk
The Canadian icons leave nothing in the tank on their final LP, a career-spanning double album that carries the occasional hint of their glory days NME
There will be doubters and there will be haters, but Heaven :x: Hell is Sum 41 at their zenith and is, without any shadow of a doubt, the album of their career. What a way to leave Kerrang!
With Heaven :x: Hell, what Sum 41 has given us is a true grand finale, and it's one worth reveling in Sputnik Music (staff)
Chastity Belt Live Laugh Love
See review link XS Noize
Ride Interplay
Essentially, after spending decades dabbling in different notions of psychedelic rock, Ride have gone synth-pop in 2024 Spectrum Culture
They seem determined to do whatever the hell they like and have fun with it The Arts Desk
Overall: troubled, unflinching, but tuneful and triumphant. Print edition only Mojo
Here [on "Yesterday Is Only A Song"] and on the best tunes of Interplay, Ride feel wonderfully, unexpectedly, younger than yesterday. Print edition only Uncut
It's commendable that Ride continue to reach beyond their past, but the best moments of Interplay are the ones that remind the listener what made the band so unique to begin with All Music
Closing with the sighing reflection of ‘Yesterday Is Just A Song’, Ride seem to be embrace and move past their illustrious past, resulting in one of the most finessed, intriguing albums of their career to date Clash
When they delve into the big guitar histrionics of yesteryear, as on “Light in a Quiet Room,” the results are breathtaking Under The Radar
Sheryl Crow Evolution
It is somewhat predictably a soundtrack of life-affirming but slightly knocked-about beige wisdom wearing a pair of cowgal boots The Arts Desk
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