21 July 2017
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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Latest release from the Comets of Fire guitarist Ben Chasny is his first acoustic-led since 2011’s Asleep on the Floodplain
7.6
His warmest, most accessible release yet Read Review
Floats between space-folk and psych-rock with a unique mixture of classical guitar, ambient drone and tranquil vocals from the curator himself Read Review
A memorable addition to Chasny’s admirable body of work Read Review
These are great songs. They soar like the white bird on the cover. We just can’t tell if it is flying in front of the sun or the moon Read Review
It comes as a relief that this album features a crop of high quality songs and instrumentals playing with dazzling finger-picking. Print edition only
Vivid proof of Chasny's ability to create transcendental music free of psych. Print edition only
Keeping close to Chasny's vision, Burning The Threshold offers a beautiful way into his far-out world. Print edition only
One of the most engaging Six Organs releases in years Read Review
His new album will not bring fresh fans on board as it offers no new directions although it does stress that, within its prescribed limits, Chasny’s vision of folk music remains endlessly malleable Read Review
Childhood Universal High
A summer soul smash. Print edition only Mojo
Boris Dear
Celebrate their quarter century in seismic style. Print edition only Mojo
Avey Tare Eucalyptus
These immersive 63 minutes mostly ripple with hallucinatory effect, overdubs virtually free of beats. Print edition only Mojo
Arcade Fire Everything Now
State of the union address from the Montreal sextet. Print edition only Mojo
Declan McKenna What Do You Think About The Car?
As twinkly-toed as debuts come. Print edition only Q
Serves up smart, sweet-sounding indie pop music that comes with a well-justified sting The Irish Times
A thought provoking, powerful record, showcasing Declan's lyrical talent as well as the bands incredible musical ability Gig Soup
This 18-year-old’s politically charged debut is a powerful love letter to the youth NME
Opening with a rush of pure pop before moving onto more serious topics, McKenna’s debut bursts into life with a point to prove and those aims have certainly been fulfilled The Line Of Best Fit
Sun-soaked protest songs The Guardian
A floppy-haired teen singer-songwriter Declan may be - Jake Bugg he’s definitely not DIY
A dense and challenging listen DIY
Dizzee Rascal Raskit
Grime elder statesman forsakes throwaway pop for righteous rap fury on sixth album Mojo
He manages to make you smile even when he’s spraying splenetic bile: a tricky thing to pull off this deftly The Independent
'Everything Now' album feels like staggering through a disco with a dagger in your side The Independent
Since we've been around, that is. So, the highest-rated albums from the past eight years or so. Rankings are calculated to two decimal places.
Kendrick Lamar To Pimp A Butterfly
Kendrick Lamar Damn.
D'Angelo And The Vanguard Black Messiah
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Skeleton Tree
Frank Ocean Channel Orange
Anaïs Mitchell Hadestown
Kanye West My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Leonard Cohen You Want It Darker
Sufjan Stevens Carrie & Lowell
Mount Eerie A Crow Looked at Me