26 September 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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Debut album from the Australian folktronica singer-songwriter Sophie Payten
7.5
Reservoir maintains mostly a mellow and melancholic vibe throughout, but its charm is undeniable Read Review
She uses her digital repertoire to flesh out moments of profound feeling, creating an electro-acoustic high drama of what it means to be alive and to experience loss Read Review
A powerful debut from a driven young artist Read Review
While the music on Reservoir is still outrageously strong, the strength of her lyrics is what puts Gordi in another league Read Review
Her underlying talent is unquestionable Read Review
Gordi’s electrofolk influences add a sense of mystery and quirkiness to Reservoir Read Review
Gordi ups her game on her debut full-length Reservoir Read Review
Payten’s lyrics are often a joy, writing about emotions and relationships in a way that reveals and emphasises all their complexities
Gordi's debut seamlessly blends epic electronic soundscape with intimacy in lyricism and folk sensibilities, even if it pulls a little too often from Justin Vernon’s toolkit Read Review
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Macklemore Gemini
Gemini should revive Macklemore’s fortunes, unless Eminem returns to steal his thunder Evening Standard
While some fans might prefer Macklemore with Lewis, Gemini is a reminder that before the multi-platinum singles, hit albums, and thrift shop threads, he could handle himself just fine All Music
The rapper’s sentimentality and kitchen-sink production ethos land the record alongside Katy Perry’s Witness in the post-Hamilton bargain bin A.V. Club
Finds the Seattle MC unburdened by stardom or the social concern that turns his woke anthems into online firestorms Rolling Stone
A light listen with a couple of good moments and some innocuous clunkers Pitchfork
Omni Multi-task
Deluxe's successor is equally likeable. Print edition only Q
Switchback rhythms and artfully tangled melodies make it hard to pin them down. Print edition only Uncut
Doesn’t rock the boat too much; if anything it is more streamlined, less abrasive, ready to be swallowed whole The Quietus
Omni deliver the songs with all the punch of a band twice their size. They beat the tar out of the sophomore slump and come away with another instant classic album All Music
The feeling, after the initial punch, is that it’s consistency actually means things can bleed into a single sound. A pity for a band that have managed to sonically grow so much in just two albums Loud And Quiet
Songs that rock, not too hard but just right Earbuddy
A triumphant lesson in post-punk authenticity The Skinny
EMA Exile In The Outer Ring
Challenging but is able to draw you back in for more listens Punk News
The Horrors V
Has all of the crystal-clear engineering of a pop record, but The Horrors at least want to make something exciting Earbuddy
Wolf Alice Visions Of A Life
A polished alternative-rock album with the perfect amount of grit The Music
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