10 modern albums that you need to listen to

With so much free time on our hands, what better time to discover and listen to great music. We've put together 10 recently released albums that you need to listen to.

In today’s fast paced digital world we don’t often sit down and listen to an album from front to back like we used to. There are some albums that are so good that it would be a disservice for us to just skim through them for some standout tracks. As the majority of us are staying at home and have plenty of time on our hands, what better time to sink your teeth into some great music. With all of that in mind we’ve put together a list of 10 recently released albums that you need to listen to.

To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar

Genre: Hip Hop, Jazz Rap, Experimental Hip Hop

What the critics said: “Kendrick Lamar’s new album is perfect” The Verge. “The Great American Hip-Hop Album, an essential listen” Spin Magazine. “Musically, lyrically and emotionally, Kendrick Lamar’s third album is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece” Rolling Stone. “A dense but dazzling masterpiece” The Daily Telegraph.

Ghosteen by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Genre: Alternative/Indie, Electronic, Ambient

What the critics said: “This is an artist laying himself bare, this is art as bleak as it is beautiful” Hot Press. “Forty years into his career, Nick Cave emerges with one of his most powerful albums yet” Pitchfork. “Astonishing” The Independent. “the most beautiful songs [Cave] has ever recorded” The Guardian.

Lemonade by Beyonce

Genre: R&B

What the critics said: “A welcome reminder that giants still walk among us” Rolling Stone. “Lemonade marks Beyoncé’s most accomplished work yet” Consequence Of Sound. “Lemonade is Beyoncé’s finest hour” The Telegraph. “Lemonade is a stunning album” Pitchfork.

Blackstar by David Bowie

Genre: Experimental rock, Jazz rock, Art Rock

What the critics said: “The arty, unsettling ‘Blackstar’ is Bowie’s best anti-pop masterpiece since the Seventies” Rolling Stone. “Bowie ushers in his 70th year with a restless, intriguing album that sprinkles stardust at every turn” NME. “Extraordinary” The Telegraph. “The most extreme album of his entire career” Independent.

Fetch The Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple

Genre: Experimental, Art Pop

What the critics said: “An unyielding masterpiece. No music has ever sounded quite like it” Pitchfork. “a glorious eruption” The Guardian. “It may be way early to say it’s the most satisfying album of the year, but if there are any more to come along this good, 2020 is not going to feel like such a waste of time” Variety.

You Want It Darker by Leonard Cohen

Genre: Folk rock, Singer songwriter

What the critics said: “Leonard Cohen’s 14th studio album is a bleak masterpiece for hard times from pop’s longest-serving poet” The Telegraph. “This is Cohen’s gift to music lovers” Rolling Stone. “Music that will live forever” The Irish Times.

Melodrama by Lorde

Genre: Pop, Electro Pop

What the critics said: “Lorde captures emotions like none other. Her second album is a masterful study of being a young woman” Pitchfork. “It’s a rudely excellent album, introspective without ever being indulgent, OTT in all the right ways, honest and brave, full of brilliant songs with lyrics to chew over for months” NME. “She is a breath of fresh air with the power of a hurricane.” The Telegraph.

Blonde by Frank Ocean

Genre: R&B, Avant-Garde soul, Psychedelic pop

What the critics said: “one of the most intriguing and contrary records ever made” The Guardian. “An album that will make an indelible mark on pop culture” The Telegraph. “While most artists would have drowned under the pressure, hype, anticipation and scale of an album like Blonde, he passes with flying colors” Pop Matters.

WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? by Billie Eilish

Genre: Pop, Electro pop

What the critics said: “When We All Fall Asleep…’ is a memorable and game-changing debut record” NME. “At its best, it’s astonishing” Hot Press. “On this debut, Billie Eilish delivers an exceptional body of work” The Irish Times

Titanic Rising by Weyes Blood

Genre: Alternative, Indie

What the critics said: “Beauty deep enough to drown in” The Guardian. “Her most ambitious and complex work yet” Pitchfork. “This is a beautiful album” NME. “Titanic Rising isn’t Bob Seger meets Enya. It’s better” The Independent