Cult Following’s 62 album reviews that count toward Breakdowns, going back to 2024, each next to the album’s Breakdown.
Its critics
- Ewan Gleadow 62 reviews
What it reviews
- Indie & Alternative 27%
- Rock 25%
- Pop 18%
- Folk, Country & Americana 12%
- Hip-Hop & Rap 7%
Find Cult Following
By the numbers
68average score it gives, on the 0 to 100 scale (62 reviews)
44%of its reviews score an album 75 or higher
21points: how far a typical review lands from its own average score
11albums given a perfect score (17.7% of its reviews)
1A-Sides reviewed, the albums the critics rate highest
21%of its scores landed within 10 points of the other critics’ average for the same album (61 albums)
17points, on average, between its release-week reviews and where the other critics ended up (39 reviews)
How its scores spread
- 0–4913
- 50s0
- 60s22
- 70s0
- 80s16
- 90+11
Its top scores
Fontaines D.C.Dopamine Chamber 100 Ewan Gleadow
GorillazThe Mountain 100 Ewan Gleadow
GeeseGetting Killed 100 Ewan Gleadow
PulpMore 100 Ewan Gleadow
Father John MistyMahashmashana 100 Ewan Gleadow
The CureSongs of a Lost World 100 Ewan Gleadow
Tyler, the CreatorChromakopia 100 Ewan Gleadow
Fontaines D.C.Romance 100 Ewan Gleadow
Every review
| Critic | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Dropkick Murphys20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan“Shane MacGowan's work is ripped apart with respect on 20th Century Paddy, a fantastic compilation of covers from The Pogues' discography” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 80 4/5 | not yet | Nov 9, 2026 |
 U2Carnaval de Luz“U2 are back with Carnaval De Luz, their first album in over two decades to light a creative fire under Bono and the band” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 80 4/5 | 82 | Nov 9, 2026 |
 Bryan AdamsHow’s It Goin’“Bryan Adams has never been much of a convincing lyricist but that doesn't stop him from trying on his meandering latest album, How's It Goin” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 40 2/5 | 70 | Nov 6, 2026 |
 Kings of LeonO My Beloved“Kings of Leon return with a moody, emotionally charged piece of work that'll likely settle as one of their deepest and sharpest albums” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 80 4/5 | 65 | Nov 6, 2026 |
 Steven WilsonRequiem for a Village“Steven Wilson lets his influences get the better of him on Requiem for a Village, a solid piece of progressive rock that loses its way” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 70 | Nov 6, 2026 |
 Queens of the Stone AgePerfecth“Queens of the Stone Age are back with roaring success Perfecth, an album that hears the band in a rush to catch up on those dormant years” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 80 4/5 | 77 | Oct 30, 2026 |
| Fontaines D.C.Dopamine Chamber“Fontaines D.C. look to pull from new inspirations and old habits on Dopamine Chamber, a lopsided but worthy follow-up to Favourite.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 100 5/5 | 82 | Oct 19, 2026 |
 Kanye WestBully“Kanye West attempts to regain goodwill on Bully but falls well short as his music suffers the same problem it has for a decade” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 40 2/5 | 52 | Jul 27, 2026 |
 The StrokesReality Awaits“The Strokes are unhappy with the world around them and make this the point of Reality Awaits, an underwhelming Julian Casablancas piece” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 40 2/5 | 65 | Jul 24, 2026 |
 MuseThe Wow! Signal“Muse makes some of their best music in a long while on The Wow! Signal, though the bar is low and they still trip over it on their way out” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 72 | Jun 26, 2026 |
 Robbie WilliamsBritpop“Robbie Williams revives a dirty word denounced by those tagged under it, with Britpop being a tame project of rock that sinks further with its AI usage” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 40 2/5 | 69 | Jun 2, 2026 |
 Ringo StarrLong Long Road“Ringo Starr returns to his beloved country genre with Long Long Road, a solid follow-up to the charming, light effort heard on his previous album, Look Up” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 80 4/5 | 71 | Apr 20, 2026 |
 RayeThis Music May Contain Hope.“Raye's This Music May Contain hope features Hans Zimmer and Al Green but it's the Where Is My Husband singer who shines throughout this second album.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 80 4/5 | 78 | Apr 4, 2026 |
| GorillazThe Mountain“Gorillaz mount their best album since Plastic Beach, passing the high standard of their formative years with a confident blur of quality from Damon Albarn and collaborating artists.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 100 5/5 | 81 | Feb 23, 2026 |
 Charli XCXWuthering Heights“Charli XCX trades off the Brat sound for a softer touch on Wuthering Heights, a soundtrack which counters the club scene and does little else.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 76 | Feb 18, 2026 |
 Madison BeerLocket“Madison Beer gets her pop moment with Locket, a relatively plain album with few meanings that will surprise listeners, though the instrumentation is solid.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 40 2/5 | 70 | Jan 19, 2026 |
 MorrisseyMake-Up Is a Lie“Morrissey's first single in four years, Make-Up is a Lie, could be building up towards his first album in six years, and it's a solid start.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 62 | Jan 9, 2026 |
 Zach BryanWith Heaven on Top“Zach Bryan shows he can be an honest voice for the future of country music, but With Heaven on Top suffers from a bloat and lack of variety.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 72 | Jan 9, 2026 |
 OklouChoke Enough“Oklou challenges the alternate electro-pop norms with Choke Enough, a staggering piece of work with a strong feature spot for Underscores.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 80 4/5 | 82 | Nov 11, 2025 |
 Tame ImpalaDeadbeat“Deadbeat is a flat presentation from Tame Impala who shifts from innovating to following on this lifeless, hollow-sounding latest effort.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 40 2/5 | 61 | Oct 21, 2025 |
 David GilmourLuck and Strange“David Gilmour's Luck and Strange live shows are a monumental experience, his recent live shows some of his very best reimagining's of classic tracks.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 80 4/5 | 80 | Oct 19, 2025 |
| GeeseGetting Killed“Blistering highs come through on Getting Killed, the latest Geese album which profiles Cameron Winter as one of the great writers of modern music.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 100 5/5 | 86 | Sep 26, 2025 |
 Olivia DeanThe Art of Loving“The Art of Loving is sincere, that's what sets Olivia Dean out from her peers and once in that spotlight she shows a cool understanding of lounge-like listening.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 80 4/5 | 81 | Sep 25, 2025 |
 LordeVirgin“Lorde's Virgin release will come to define her as much as Pure Heroine did over time, its sparse sound a staggering, exciting experience.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 80 4/5 | 79 | Sep 20, 2025 |
 SophieSophie“Sophie Ellis-Bextor presents more steady pop hits with Perimenopop, an album which proves she is ahead of the rest when it comes to catchy chart tunes.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 75 | Sep 12, 2025 |
 DeftonesPrivate Music“Deftones' consistencies in alternative rock are made clear by Private Music, a steady and often surprising piece of work.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 80 4/5 | 86 | Aug 22, 2025 |
 The Black KeysNo Rain, No Flowers“The Black Keys' return to the studio is guided by a fury for a cancelled tour, but No Rain, No Flowers is all cliché.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 40 2/5 | 61 | Aug 8, 2025 |
 Alice CooperThe Revenge of Alice Cooper“The original Alice Cooper line-up returns for The Revenge of Alice Cooper, and it sounds as though little has changed across fifty years.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 73 | Jul 28, 2025 |
| PulpMore“Pulp return with their first studio album in twenty-four years, and learn from their past on More, a high point for Jarvis Cocker and the gang.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 100 5/5 | 81 | Jun 2, 2025 |
 Arcade FirePink Elephant“Arcade Fire returns with a soft reboot of their sound on Pink Elephant, an uneventful and flatlining piece from a once influential band.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 40 2/5 | 53 | 2025 |
 Thom YorkeTall Tales“Tall Tales has been a long time in the making. Thom Yorke and Mark Pritchard’s long-running collaborations are given their biggest outing to date on this collaborative album, made up…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 79 | 2025 |
 Sam FenderPeople Watching“Live additions of newly released songs are often a treat. For Sam Fender, it means giving the lead single and title track of his third album, People Watching, that added…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 80 4/5 | 79 | 2025 |
 SpiritboxTsunami Sea“Part of the charm Spiritbox holds is in its continued roots, its fundamentals in former metalcore bands and the thrill. There is a charm, if a little silliness, in the…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 87 | 2025 |
 Manic Street PreachersCritical Thinking“A once-fiery band has, in recent years, settled on a tame sound with a few pops of glory. Manic Street Preachers’ work has a longevity to it quite unmatched, though…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 77 | 2025 |
 Lady GagaHarlequin“Lady Gaga went all in with this Joker sequel. Not from an acting or artistic standpoint but from a commercial presence. Two albums which feel connected to the film, one…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 40 2/5 | 68 | 2025 |
 FKA twigsEusexua“FKA Twigs’ Eusexua begins with the promise of a new sound. This sense of exploring an accessible but interesting sub-genre which has influenced Twigs in one way or another. Her…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 85 | 2025 |
 Ringo StarrLook Up“Look Up is a pleasant surprise not just because it comes from one of The Beatles, but because it marks a change in mood. Ringo Starr had suggested no more…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 71 | 2025 |
 Franz FerdinandThe Human Fear“Seven years after their previous album release Franz Ferdinand searches for the elusive next step. That desire for new success away from Take Me Out is palpable and like slobbering…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 40 2/5 | 67 | 2025 |
 Kendrick LamarGNX“Feel, just a moment, for Father John Misty. Like clockwork, Kendrick Lamar returns, dropping surprise album GNX just as listeners were starting to warm to Mahashmashana. They still can though…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 84 | 2024 |
| Father John MistyMahashmashana“Any day starting with listening to Father John Misty is great. Mahashmashana, the latest album from the long-serving singer-songwriter is a masterstroke of his baroque fundamentals blending with new avenues…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 100 5/5 | 83 | 2024 |
 Jack WhiteNo Name“Shock releases still can have a great style to them. There is an inherent gamble to releasing a project without the fanfare usually built before release. But then not everyone…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 80 4/5 | 82 | 2024 |
 Willie NelsonLast Leaf on the Tree“Willie Nelson has built up the sort of good faith Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello have. A core base of listeners who enjoy whatever they put out and a wider…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 79 | 2024 |
| The CureSongs of a Lost World“Robert Smith has not so much hinted at finality for The Cure as much as he has spelled it out for us. We are closer to the end than the…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 100 5/5 | 90 | 2024 |
| Tyler, the CreatorChromakopia“Tyler, the Creator intends Chromakopia to make the mundane poetic. But what for those who sit at home and work? For those who do not leave the house unless it…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 100 5/5 | 80 | 2024 |
 Charli XCXBrat“That’s it, then. The shark has been jumped. Brand deals and excessive collaborations on an initially stunning album have made their way into terminally online territories. Did we all have…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 85 | 2024 |
 Deep Purple=1“New hard rock from the Smoke on the Water gang. Some things never change. With Deep Purple, a lacklustre album image and the promise of unwavering rock fundamentals are a…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 80 | 2024 |
 Vampire WeekendOnly God Was Above Us“For those who only heard Vampire Weekend as part of FIFA and The Inbetweeners, what glorious times lay ahead. The band has gone from strength to strength since their indoctrination…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 82 | 2024 |
 BeyoncéCowboy Carter“A spin into country pop with all the usual suspects keen to work with one of the big names. Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton are spending their twilight years in…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 86 | 2024 |
 Katy Perry143“Credit where it is due, being a pop sensation is a tricky tightrope to walk. Few will maintain themselves in the spotlight with continuous, contemporary growth. Fewer still will find…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 20 1/5 | 36 | 2024 |
 Zach BryanThe Great American Bar Scene“Bars are a constant place to lose yourself. Pubs and places worth visiting have a character which transcends the people within. It is in the atmosphere and decor of a…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 70 | 2024 |
 JusticeHyperdrama“Electronic music from France comes with a seal of consistent quality. Daft Punk and Justice are just the tip of a worryingly large iceberg of quality music. There is an…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 80 4/5 | 69 | 2024 |
| Fontaines D.C.Romance“A stormer of a time on the festival circuit and off to do their headline slot in venues across the country, Fontaines D.C. is on the up and up. For…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 100 5/5 | 86 | 2024 |
 John CalePOPtical Illusion“John Cale has not written off his rage after Mercy, returning with POPtical Illusion and fielding the same fury which inspired him last year” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 80 4/5 | 81 | 2024 |
 AURORAWhat Happened to the Heart?“Aurora's latest album, What Happened to the Heart?, has all the heartbreaking emptiness of pop albums, but is a league above the rest.” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 80 4/5 | 81 | 2024 |
 The Black KeysOhio Players“The Black Keys may view themselves as hotshot players, but they cannot sell out arenas. Not anymore. The passage of time is ruthless, and they are caught up in the…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 40 2/5 | 60 | 2024 |
 Kings of LeonCan We Please Have Fun“Can we, indeed? Kings of Leon feel their way through the rough expectations of a rock band whose glory days were around the time Foo Fighters were bubbling to the…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 75 | 2024 |
 Pearl JamDark Matter“For those who grew up playing Guitar Hero III the name Pearl Jam will mean little more than setlist fodder. Apologies, but those out there who had an Xbox 360,…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 81 | 2024 |
 St. VincentAll Born Screaming“Contemporary fatalism brings out the bold shock of All Born Screaming. The latest St. Vincent album should be no thematic surprise. Exercising the style Strange Mercy developed with the writing…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 100 5/5 | 85 | 2024 |
 Nick Cave and the Bad SeedsWild God“A warm and welcome surprise it is to hear from Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. As prolific as the Australian-born artist has been in recent years, it is always…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 100 5/5 | 89 | 2024 |
 MGMTLoss of Life“Get over your nostalgic selves. Kids was seventeen years ago and still sounds like the peak. Loss of Life, the latest record from MGMT, hopes to disprove this. There is…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 60 3/5 | 74 | 2024 |
 Kid CudiInsano“Was the slow devolution from Kid Cudi expected? We are some years away from the release of his debut record and it appears to have been the peak. INSANO, his…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 40 2/5 | 59 | 2024 |
 The Last Dinner PartyPrelude to Ecstasy“A meteoric rise and well-deserved, to say the least. The Last Dinner Party has been building to this great and emotional release. Not just in releasing an album, but the…” | Ewan Gleadow Read the review | 100 5/5 | 83 | 2024 |