21 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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Fifth studio record from the Irish singer-songwriter, produced by T Bone Burnett and featuring guest appearances from Jools Holland and Jeff Beck
7.4
As if to assert herself, the songs on May’s boldly titled new album Life, Love, Flesh, Blood show her operating with a much greater degree of savvy and moxie Read Review
11 strong songs, which ache, break and twang as craftily as they do sincerely. Print edition only
Features May doing what she does best with that inimitable voice Read Review
Ditching her usual rambunctious rock ‘n’ roll for the bittersweets of jazz and soft soul, May focuses on the theme of lost love alongside deeper musings on childhood, religion and mortality Read Review
One of those albums where not only will you not want to skip any tracks, but many are tunes to stick on repeat all day Read Review
There are endless musical references and an easy embrace of the styles that have influenced her Read Review
Classic songwriting at its finest Read Review
It helps that someone as empathetic as producer T Bone Burnett casts a Spectoresque eye over the majority of the songs Read Review
Her most impassioned vocal is reserved for the gospel waltz “When It’s My Time”, to which Jools Holland adds sensitive piano Read Review
Her most personal collection to date Read Review
Burnett's reliably polished, sometimes even laidback, settings allow plenty of room for grit and sweat. Print edition only
A powerful new direction. Print edition only
There are earworms aplenty, whether they’re barnstorming singalongs or drowsy coos Read Review
A new look, a new sound, the same great voice. A solid start for phase two Read Review
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Imelda May: Life Love Flesh Blood
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