28 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.
Browse specific styles
Debut studio album of ambient dream pop from the quartet hailing from El Paso, Texas
7.5
The fully-realised, masterfully crafted product of the last nine years of Cigarettes After Sex’s sound Read Review
Surely one of the year's finest. Print edition only
After you’ve heard one song you might think the next one is similar, or even the same on repeat, but once you delve down a little deeper, you will categorically not be disappointed Read Review
In such an apathetic age, material like this really is a dying art; savour it Read Review
What reels listeners in and makes this so easy to play over and over again is the quality of the songwriting Read Review
Slow-burning basslines and a tidal wash of jangling guitars accompany the frontman’s androgynous voice Read Review
Time will tell whether this is as good as Cigarettes After Sex get, but for now, it’s undoubtedly good enough: close your ears to the occasional lyrical gaffe and you might have one of the debut albums of the year Read Review
Don’t be surprised if you need a cigarette after listening Read Review
What saves this El Paso-born, Brooklyn-based group from being just another trafficker of “Lynchian” indie-rock tropes is Gonzalez’s ability to capture moments and stretch them into lusty little pop daydreams Read Review
Greg Gonzalez writes modern love songs set to downbeat dream pop. Much like relationships themselves, the songs on his self-titled debut LP are full of contradictions Read Review
A fresh return to a more strung along style of music that hasn’t been great since the 90’s Read Review
It’s impossible to imagine someone hearing this record and not being transported by at least one of the band’s intimate anecdotes Read Review
This eponymous debut has an almost ethereal quality, bringing love songs and ambience together in one dreamy swoop Read Review
Chronically anti-romantic moments are eclipsed by sweet, somnambulant melodies that may not quicken the pulse but often hypnotize nevertheless Read Review
Roll over video for more options
Cigarettes After Sex: Cigarettes After Sex
Tyla Tyla
TYLA will remain as the expertly crafted record that allowed amapiano a moment to shine before new audiences Beats Per Minute
TYLA’s debut album taps into the emerging energies of spring to produce one of 2024’s most insistent projects. The world is hers Clash
The South African singer follows the success of "Water" with a sweet full-length statement Rolling Stone
There are plenty of savvy, intriguing ideas on this self-titled debut that show off the South African artist's range NME
TYLA is turned up to 11 – there is little emotional or energetic dynamism on the album, but every song is club-ready, danceable and infectious The Line Of Best Fit
Julia Holter Something in the Room She Moves
The LA musician's latest processes difficult life changes while juggling them with gratitude for new beginnings, but does so in a manner that mirrors how these conflicts really feel, creating something evocative and challenging even in its more muted turns Paste Magazine
Elbow Audio Vertigo
Guy Garvey and company return with renewed energy, a punchier attack and infectious grooves on Elbow’s tenth studio album, Audio Vertigo PopMatters
Julia Holter drips her semi-conscious thoughts on the musical canvas to access her artistic sensibility, but she seems a bit unsure of the process PopMatters
Empress Of For Your Consideration
Lorely Rodriguez’s fourth album is a dazzling showcase for her unexpected vocal and production approach as she experiences the peaks and valleys of heated romance Pitchfork
Gossip Real Power
Beth Ditto’s second solo LP turned into a full-fledged Gossip comeback once her bandmates got involved. Rick Rubin captures the carefree vibes of old friends enjoying each other’s company Pitchfork
If her latest is any proof, Rodriguez is finally comfortable with herself – not just as a writer who excels at leaving melodies on your tongue, but as a lover, a dancer, and her own shooting star Clash
Waxahatchee Tigers Blood
With Tigers Blood, Katie Crutchfield has consolidated her position as one of the finest songwriters in modern independent music Beats Per Minute
Elbow are back! Northern Transmissions
On her sixth album, Katie Crutchfield teams up with MJ Lenderman, the Cook brothers and Spencer Tweedy to create hard-won and time-worn brilliance Paste Magazine
Tierra Whack World Wide Whack
The influential but less-than-prolific Philly rapper returns with a spare, casually compelling full length Spectrum Culture
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