Metacritic/EOY Aggregate: 2025 New Compilations of Old/Various Music

For information on what lists are consulted, and what the various abbreviations and notes mean, click here.

Reissues, compilations, vault music, etc. For new records, click here.

Sub-Lists

Some breakdowns by genre:

Ranking

  1. Mac Miller: Balloonerism (2014, REMember Music/Warner) {15}: Cl:*, HG:+, I:*, LBF:*, Ne:*, NT:*, O:*, Ov:*, PO:+, SLi:*; am:*, vu:+ -- A:79/13, TH:***
  2. Bruce Springsteen: Tracks II: The Lost Albums (Sony) {11}: AD:*, Cl:*, ClR:*, IT:*, Mj:*, Pf:*, RC:*, RS:*, U:*, Up_sh:+; am:* -- A:90/10
  3. Neil Young: Oceanside Countryside (1977, Reprise) {11}: ClR:*, IT:*, Mj:*, MO:*, T:*, TN:*U:*; vu:+ -- A:75/11, TH:***
  4. Wilco: A Ghost Is Born [Expanded Edition] (Nonesuch) {8}: ClR:*, Mj:*, Pf:*, PM:*, RC:*, SC:*, U:*; am:* -- A:87/8
  5. Edna Martinez Presents Picó!: Sound System Culture From the Colombian Caribbean (Strut) {8}: -- RX:A-, TH:A-
  6. Nick Drake: The Making of Five Leaves Left (Island) {7}: LBF:*, Mj:*, Pf:*, PM:*, RC:*, SC:*; am:* -- A:95/7
  7. John Lee Hooker: The Standard School Broadcast Recordings (1973, BMG) {7}: PM:*, TN:* -- A:80/1, TH:A
  8. Hot Chip: Joy in Repetition (Domino) {7}: Cl:*, GTV:*, Pf:*, RC:*, U:* -- A:80/7, TH:**
  9. Charles Mingus: Mingus in Argentina: The Buenos Aires Concerts (1977, Resonance -2CD) {7}: AAJ:*, Mj:*; am:* -- A:80/2, TH:A-
  10. Grace Potter: Medicine (2008, Hollywood) {7}: -- RX:A-, TH:***
  11. Studio: West Coast (2006, Ghostly International) {7}: Pf:*, U:*; am:* -- A:85/3, TH:A-
  12. John Surman: Flashpoints and Undercurrents (1969, Cuneiform) {7}: CM:+, PO:*, TN:*; am:* -- A:80/1, TH:***
  13. The Bitter Ends: The Bitter Ends (Trouble in River City) {6}: PO:*; xjdc:* -- TH:A-
  14. Mary Halvorson Quartet: John Zorn's Bagatelles: Volume 1 (2019, Tzadik) {6}: TN:*; am:* -- A:80/1, TH:A-
  15. Eli "Paperboy" Reed: Sings "Walkin' and Talkin'" and Other Smash Hits [20th Anniversary Edition] (2005, Yep Roc) {6}: -- RX:A-, TH:**
  16. Spectacular Diagnostics: Raw Game [Ten Year Edition] (2015, Vinyl Digital) {6}: -- RX:***, TH:***
  17. Kenny Dorham: Blue Bossa in the Bronx: Live From the Blue Morocco (1957, Resonance) {5}: AAJ:*; am:* -- A:80/1, TH:***
  18. Joe Henderson: Multiple (Craft) {5}: TN:* -- TH:A-
  19. William Hooker: A Time Within: Live at the New York Jazz Museum, January 14, 1977 (Valley of Search) {5}: PO:*, TN:* -- TH:***
  20. Jimmy Lyons: Live From Studio Rivbea: 1974 & 1976 (NoBusiness) {5}: CM:+ -- TH:A-
  21. Art Pepper: An Afternoon in Norway: The Kongsberg Concert (1980, Elemental Music) {5}: CM:+; am:* -- A:80/1, TH:***
  22. Art Pepper: Geneva 1980 (Omnivore) {5}: AAJ:*, TN:* -- TH:***
  23. Irène Schweizer/Rüdiger Carl/Johnny Dyani/Han Bennink: Irène's Hot Four (1981, Intakt) {5}: CM:+ -- TH:A-
  24. Sun Ra: Nuits de la Fondation Maeght () {5}: PO:*; am:* -- A:90/1, TH:***
  25. Horace Tapscott's Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra: Live at Widney High December 26th, 1971 (The Village) {5}: PO:* -- TH:A-
  26. Ryan Truesdell: Gil Evans Project Live at Jazz Standard, Vol. 2 (2014, Outside In Music) {5}: AAJ:* -- TH:A-
  27. Hiroshi Yoshimura: Flora (1987, Temporal Drift) {5}: Pf:*, PO:* -- TH:***
  28. Scrapper Blackwell: Mr. Scrapper's Blues (1962, Craft) {4}: -- TH:A-
  29. David Bowie: I Can't Give Everything Away (2002-2016) (Parlophone) {4}: ClR:*, Mj:*, RC:*, U:* -- A:83/4
  30. Buckingham Nicks: Buckingham Nicks (Rhino) {4}: ClR:*, Mj:*, RS:*; am:* -- A:82/5
  31. Dave Burrell/Sam Woodyard: The Lost Session: Paris 1979 (NoBusiness) {4}: -- TH:A-
  32. Stanley Cowell/Billy Harper/Reggie Workman/Billy Hart: Such Great Friends (1983, Strata-East) {4}: -- TH:A-
  33. Electric Satie: Gymnopédie '99 (1998, In Sheep's Clothing) {4}: PO:* -- TH:***
  34. Marco Eneidi Quartet: Wheat Fields of Kleyehof (2004, Balance Point Acoustics) {4}: PO:* -- TH:***
  35. Ellery Eskelin: Trio New York About (or On) First Visit (2011-13, Ezz-Thetics) {4}: -- TH:A-
  36. Shamek Farrah: First Impressions (1974, Strata-East) {4}: PO:* -- TH:***
  37. Freddie Hubbard: On Fire: Live From the Blue Morocco (1967, Resonance) {4}: AAJ:*; am:* -- A:90/1, TH:**
  38. Mazinga: Chinese Democracy Manifest: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 (Rubber Wolf?) {4}: PO:* -- TH:***
  39. Misha Mengelberg/Sabu Toyozumi: The Analects of Confucius (2000, NoBusiness) {4}: -- TH:A-
  40. James Moody: 80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note March 26, 2005 (Origin) {4}: -- TH:A-
  41. Alick Nkhata: Radio Lusaka (Mississippi) {4}: PO:* -- TH:***
  42. Kristen Noguès & John Surman: Diriaou (1998, Souffle Continu) {4}: -- TH:A-
  43. Radiohead: Hail to the Thief (Live Recordings 2003-2009) (XL) {4}: Pf:*, RS:*, U:*; am:* -- A:80/4
  44. Larry Stabbins/Keith Tippett/Louis Moholo-Moholo: Live in Foggia (1985, Ogun) {4}: -- TH:A-
  45. Atef Swaitat & Abu Ali: Palestinian Bedouin Psychedelic Dabka Archive (Majazz Project/Palestinian Sound Archive) {4}: PO:* -- TH:***
  46. Talking Heads: More Songs About Buildings and Food [Super Deluxe Edition] (Rhino) {4}: ClR:*, Mj:*, RS:*; am:* -- A:82/5
  47. Cecil Taylor/Tony Oxley: Flashing Spirits (1988, Burning Ambulance) {4}: -- TH:A-
  48. Charles Tolliver Music Inc: Compassion (1977, Strata-East) {4}: -- TH:A-
  49. Charles Tolliver With Gary Bartz/Herbie Hancock/Ron Carter/Joe Chambers: Right Now . . . and Then (1968, Strata-East) {4}: -- TH:A-
  50. Motoharu Yoshizawa/Kim Dae Hwan: Way of the Breeze (1993, NoBusiness) {4}: -- TH:A-
  51. Roots Rocking Zimbabwe: The Modern Sound of Harare Townships 1975-1980 (Analog Africa) {4}: PO:* -- TH:***
  52. Sweet Rebels: The Golden Era of Algerian Pop-Raï: The Ecstatic Electro Sound of Original Raï Cassettes 1986-1991 (We Want Sounds) {4}: PO:* -- TH:***
  53. Gato Barbieri: Standards Lost and Found 2 (1968, Red) {3}: -- TH:***
  54. Charles Brackeen: Rhythm X (1968, Strata-East) {3}: -- TH:***
  55. The Brass Company: Colors (1974, Strata-East) {3}: -- TH:***
  56. Stanley Cowell: Musa: Ancestral Streams (1974, Strata-East) {3}: -- TH:***
  57. Marshall Crenshaw: From the Hellhole (2012-16, Yep Roc) {3}: AAJ:* -- RX:**, TH:B-
  58. Shamek Farrah & Sonelius Smith: The World of the Children (1976, Strata-East) {3}: PO:* -- TH:**
  59. Ella Fitzgerald: The Moment of Truth: Ella at the Coliseum (Verve) {3}: am:* -- A:80/1, TH:**
  60. John Hicks: Hells Bells (1975, Strata-East) {3}: -- TH:***
  61. Homeboy Sandman: Rich 2.5 (self-released) {3}: -- TH:***
  62. Hüsker Dü: Jan. 30, First Ave Pt. 1 (1985, Numero Group -EP) {3}: PO:* -- TH:**
  63. Keith Jarrett: New Vienna (2016, ECM) {3}: -- TH:***
  64. Frank Kimbrough: The Call (2010, Sunnyside) {3}: AAJ:* -- TH:**
  65. Charles Kynard: Woga (1972, We Want Sounds) {3}: -- TH:***
  66. Rob Mazurek: Alternate Moon Cycles [IA11 Edition] (2012, International Anthem) {3}: TN:* -- TH:**
  67. Nellie McKay: Gee Whiz: The Get Away From Me Demos (Omnivore) {3}: -- TH:***
  68. Gerry Mulligan: Nocturne (1992, Red) {3}: AAJ:* -- TH:**
  69. Music Inc. [Charles Tolliver/Stanley Cowell/Cecil McBee/Jimmy Hopps]: Live at Slugs' Volume I & II (1970, Strata-East) {3}: -- TH:***
  70. Cecil Payne: Zodiac (1972, Strata-East) {3}: -- TH:***
  71. The Charlie Rouse Band: Cinnamon Flower: The Expanded Edition (Resonance) {3}: AAJ:* -- TH:*
  72. Rush: Rush 50 () {3}: ClR:*, RS:*; am:* -- A:93/3
  73. Sly & the Family Stone: Sly Lives! (Aka the Burden of Black Genius) [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] (1967-73, Sony/Legacy) {3}: am:* -- A:80/1, TH:**
  74. Soft Works: Abracadabra (2002, MoonJune) {3}: -- TH:***
  75. Masahiko Togashi: Session in Paris Vol. 1: Song of Soil (1979, We Want Sounds) {3}: PO:* -- TH:**
  76. Charles Tolliver: Live in Berlin: At the Quasimodo (1988, Strata-East) {3}: -- TH:***
  77. Charles Tolliver's Music Inc: Live at the Loosdrecht Jazz Festival (1972, Strata-East) {3}: -- TH:***
  78. Strata-East: The Legacy Begins (1968-75, Strata-East -4CD) {3}: -- TH:***
  79. Borghesia: Clones (1984, Dark Entries) {2}: -- TH:**
  80. Johnny Bragg: Let Me Dream On (ORG Music) {2}: PO:* -- TH:*
  81. Anthony Braxton: B-X0 N0-47A (1969, BYG) {2}: -- TH:**
  82. Anthony Braxton: Quartet (England) 1985 (Burning Ambulance) {2}: CM:+, G:*
  83. Master Wilburn Burchette: Master Wilburn Burchette's Psychic Meditation Music (1974, Numero Group) {2}: PO:* -- TH:*
  84. Jaki Byard: Blues for Smoke (1960, Candid) {2}: -- TH:**
  85. George Colligan: Live at the Jazz Standard (Whirlwind) {2}: -- TH:**
  86. Frankie Cosmos: Different Talking (Sub Pop) {2}: Mj:*; am:* -- A:74/9
  87. Manu Dibango: Dibango 82 (1982, We Want Sounds) {2}: -- TH:**
  88. Armen Donelian: Stargazer (Sunnyside) {2}: -- TH:**
  89. Drop Nineteens: 1991 (Wharf Cat) {2}: BPM:*; am:* -- A:78/4
  90. Dub Syndicate: Out Here on the Perimeter (1989-1996) (On-U Sound) {2}: GTV:*; am:* -- A:90/2
  91. Bill Evans: Further Ahead: Live in Finland 1964-1969 (Elemental Music) {2}: -- TH:**
  92. Erik Friedlander and Michael Nicolas: John Zorn's Bagatelles: Vol. 2 (2019, Tzadik) {2}: -- TH:**
  93. Genesis: The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway [Deluxe Edition] (Rhino) {2}: LBF:*, Mj:* -- A:90/2
  94. Dexter Gordon: Landslide (1961-62, Blue Note) {2}: -- TH:**
  95. Green Cosmos: Abendmusiken (1981-82, Frederiksberg) {2}: -- TH:**
  96. Vince Guaraldi Trio: Jazz Impressions of a Boy Named Charlie Brown (1964, Craft -2CD) {2}: -- TH:**
  97. Woody Guthrie: Woody at Home: Vol 1 + 2 (1951-52, Shamus) {2}: PO:* -- TH:*
  98. Billy Harper: Capra Black (1973, Strata-East) {2}: -- TH:**
  99. John Hicks: Steadfast (1975, Strata-East) {2}: -- TH:**
  100. Louis Stewart: I Thought About You (1977, Livia) {2}: -- TH:**
  101. Kali Malone: The Sacrificial Code (Ideologic Organ) {2}: Pf:*, SC:* -- A:86/2
  102. Joni Mitchell: Joni's Jazz (Rhino -4CD) {2}: U:*; am:* -- S:78/4
  103. Music Inc. [Charles Tolliver/Stanley Cowell/Cecil McBee/Jimmy Hopps]: Music Inc.'1970, Strata-East (04-25) {2}: TH:**
  104. Kinloch Nelson: Waiting: More Recordings, 1968-1976 (Tompkins Square) {2}: -- TH:**
  105. Jovino Santos Neto Quartet: Mais Que Tudo: Live at Kerry Hall 1995 (Origin) {2}: -- TH:**
  106. David "Fathead" Newman/Ellis Marsalis/Cornell Dupree: Return to the Wide Open Spaces (1990, Amazing/Steady Boy) {2}: -- TH:**
  107. Mark O'Leary Group: I See Further Than You (2001, TIBProd.) {2}: -- TH:**
  108. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart: Perfect Right Now: A Slumberland Collection 2008-2010 (Slumberland) {2}: Sp:*; am:* -- A:77/3
  109. Billy Parker's Fourth World: Freedom of Speech (1974, Strata-East) {2}: -- TH:**
  110. Pink Floyd: Pink Floyd at Pompeii MCMLXXII (1972, Columbia) {2}: Mj:*, Prg:*; am:* -- A:87/3, TH:*
  111. Serengeti: Mixtape 2 (self-released) {2}: PO:* -- TH:*
  112. Sly & the Family Stone: The First Family: Live at the Winchester Cathedral 1967 (High Moon) {2}: Mj:*, RC:* -- A:75/6, TH:B
  113. Sophie: Sophie (Numbers/MSMSMSM) {2}: MO:*, RC:* -- A:85/2
  114. Sufjan Stevens: Carrie & Lowell [10th Anniversary Edition] (Asthmatic Kitty) {2}: Mj:*, U:* -- A:95/2
  115. Sun Ra: On Jupiter (1979, Saturn/Strut) {2}: -- TH:**
  116. Sun Ra: Stray Voltage (1970s-80s, Modern Harmonic) {2}: -- TH:**
  117. Sun Ra: Uncharted Passages: New York Piano Soliloquies 1977-79 (Modern Marmonic) {2}: -- TH:**
  118. John Taylor: Tramanto (2002, ECM) {2}: -- TH:**
  119. Tedeschi Trucks Band and Leon Russell: Present Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited: Live at Lockn' (2015, Fantasy) {2}: ClR:*, Sp:* -- A:95/2
  120. The New York Bass Violin Choir: The New York Bass Violin Choir (Strata-East) {2}: -- TH:**
  121. Clifford Thornton: Ketchaoua (1969, BYG Actuel) {2}: -- TH:**
  122. Steve Tintweiss and the Purple Why: Live in Tompkins Square Park 1967 (Inky Dot Media) {2}: -- TH:**
  123. Masahiko Togashi: Session in Paris Vol. 2: Colour of Dream (1979, We Want Sounds) {2}: -- TH:**
  124. Charles Tolliver Music Inc & Orchestra: Impact (1975, Strata-East) {2}: -- TH:**
  125. Trigger: John Zorn's Bagatelles: Vol. 3 (2019, Tzadik) {2}: TN:* -- TH:*
  126. Albert White: The Definitive Albert White (Music Maker) {2}: PO:+ -- TH:*
  127. ~ZZZ: Going Out of My Head: Adventures on the Indie Dancefloor 1995-1999 (Cherry Red) {2}: Sp:*; am:* -- A:85/2
  128. Sinners [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] (Masterworks) {2}: BB:+; am:* -- A:90/1
  129. Zulu Guitar Blues: Cowboys, Troubadours and Jilted Lovers 1950-1965 (Matsuli Music) {2}: -- TH:**
  130. Ant: Collection of Sounds Vol. 4 () {1}: RR:* -- A:80/1
  131. Avicii: Avicii Forever (Universal Music AB) {1}: am:* -- A:80/1
  132. Albert Ayler Trio: Prophecy Live First Visit (1964, Ezz-Thetics) {1}: TN:*
  133. Bar-B-Q Killers: Part 1: The Last Shit (Chunklet Industries -EP) {1}: PO:* -- TH:B
  134. Blackbyrds: City Life (1975, Craft/Jazz Dispensary) {1}: -- TH:*
  135. Paul Bley: Open, to Love (1973, ECM) {1}: AAJ:* -- TH:[*]
  136. Paul Bley Trio: Floater & Syndrome: The Upright Piano Sessions Revisited (1962-63, Ezz-Thetics) {1}: TN:*
  137. Jeff Bridges: Slow Magic, 1977-1978 (Light in the Attic) {1}: FO:* -- A:70/4
  138. Jaki Byard: Blues for Smoke (1960, Candid) {1}: AAJ:*
  139. Gene Clark & Carla Olson: So Rebellious a Lover (1987, Sunset Blvd) {1}: AAJ:*
  140. Walter Davis Jr: A Being Such as You (1979, Red) {1}: -- TH:*
  141. Miles Davis: Miles '55: The Prestige Recordings (Craft) {1}: AAJ:*
  142. Dire Straits: Brothers in Arms [40th Anniversary] (Mercury) {1}: Mj:* -- A:80/1
  143. Bill Evans: Explorations (1961, Craft) {1}: AAJ:*
  144. Ariana Grande: Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead (Republic) {1}: RS:* -- A:80/1
  145. Grateful Dead: Blues for Allah [50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition] (Rhino) {1}: UR:* -- A:80/1
  146. Grateful Dead: Dick's Picks Volume 53 (1976, Grateful Dead -3CD) {1}: TN:*
  147. Grateful Dead: To Terrapin: Hartford '77 (Grateful Dead) {1}: TN:*
  148. Margo Guryan: 28 Demos (Numero Group) {1}: am:8 -- A:80/1
  149. Helloween: March of Time (The Best of 40 Years) (Nuclear Blast) {1}: Blb:* -- A:80/1
  150. Joe Henderson: Our Thing to In 'n Out Revisited (Ezz-Thetics) {1}: TN:*
  151. Hüsker Dü: Nov. 3, Salt Lake City (Numero Group -EP) {1}: -- TH:*
  152. Michael Gregory Jackson: Frequency Equilibrium Koan (1977, Moved-by-Sound) {1}: PO:*
  153. Keith Jarrett: At the Deer Head Inn: The Complete Recordings (1992, ECM -4LP) {1}: AAJ:*
  154. Ginger Johnson and His African Messengers: African Party [Deluxe Edition] (Innovative Collective/BBE Music) {1}: AAJ:*
  155. Lonnie Johnson With Elmer Snowden: Blues & Ballads (1960, Craft) {1}: -- TH:*
  156. JPEGMafia: I Lay Down My Life for You (Director's Cut) (self-released) {1}: PO:*
  157. Steve Lacy Three: Live Lugano 1984 First Visit (Ezz-Thetics) {1}: TN:*
  158. Furry Lewis: Back on My Feet Again (1961, Bluesville) {1}: DB:*
  159. Madonna: Veronica Electronica (1998, Warner) {1}: MO:*
  160. Joe Maneri/Tyson Rogers & Jacob Braverman: In the Shadow First Visit (2002, Ezz-Thetics) {1}: TN:*
  161. Metronomy: Greatest Hits (Because) {1}: am:* -- A:90/1
  162. Mötley Crüe: From the Beginning (BMG) {1}: am:* -- A:80/1
  163. Mark O'Leary Quartet: White Album (TIBProd.) {1}: -- TH:*
  164. Orbital: Orbital 2 (The Brown Album Expanded) () {1}: Mj:* -- A:80/1
  165. Orlando Consort: A Lover's Death (Hyperion) {1}: am:* -- A:80/1
  166. Pavement: Pavements [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] () {1}:
  167. The Piano Choir: Handscapes 2 (1974, Strata-East) {1}: -- TH:*
  168. Jeannie Piersol: The Nest (High Moon) {1}: TN:*
  169. Rumer & Redtenbacher's Funkestra: In Session (Ciancia Management) {1}: am:* -- A:80/1
  170. The Sex Pistols: Live in the U.S.A. South East Music Hall, Atlanta, January 5th, 1978 (UME) {1}: PO:*
  171. Slipknot: Slipknot [25th Anniversary Edition] (Roadrunner) {1}: Pf:* -- A:82/1
  172. Small Faces: Greatest Hits: The Immediate Years (Charly) {1}: TN:*
  173. Soft Machine: Floating World Live [Remastered] (1975, MoonJune) {1}: AAJ:*
  174. Cat Stevens: Cat on the Road to Findout (UMe) {1}: Mj:* -- A:80/1
  175. X Ambassadors: VHS(X) (Nyle) {1}: Sp:* -- A:90/1
  176. Yo La Tengo: Old Joy (2006, Mississippi -EP) {1}: -- TH:*
  177. African Jazz Invites O.K. Jazz (1961-70, Planet Ilunga) {1}: PO:*
  178. A Tribute to the King of Zydeco (Valcourt) {1}: PO:*
  179. Barnyard Beehive (Numero Group) {1}: am:* -- A:90/1
  180. C92 (Cherry Red) {1}: am:* -- A:80/1
  181. Democracy Forward (Bitter Southerner) {1}: PO:*
  182. Disco Discharge Presents More Sin: Box of Sin 2 (Demon Music Group/Edsel) {1}: am:* -- A:80/1
  183. Electric Junk: Deutsche Rock, Psych and Kosmische 1970-1978 () {1}: am:*
  184. Get Ready for the Countdown: Mod, Brit Soul, R&B & Freakbeat Nuggets () {1}: am:* -- A:80/1
  185. Krautrock Eruption: An Introduction to German Electronic Music 1970-1980 (Bureau B) {1}: TN:*
  186. Middle Earth: The Soundtrack of London's Legendary Psychedelic Club 1967-1969 () {1}: am:* -- A:80/1
  187. Motor City Is Burning: A Michigan Anthology 1965-1972 () {1}: am:* -- A:80/1
  188. Music Is a Message From Space (Corbett vs. Dempsey) {1}: -- TH:*
  189. New Awakening: Adventures in British Jazz 1966-1971 () {1}: am:* -- A:80/1
  190. Planet Mu 30 (Planet Mu) {1}: am:* -- A:80/1
  191. Prisoners' Day Compilation Vol. 1 (Majazz Project/Palestinian Sound Archive) {1}: PO:*
  192. Salsa de la Bahia Vol. 3: A Colection of SF Bay Area Salsa and Latin Jazz: Renegade Queens (1991-2025, Patois, 2CD) {1}: -- TH:*
  193. Scarborough Jazz Festival Present: 2024 Live Festival Compilation (self-released) {1}: AAJ:*
  194. Toivo Tulev: Dawn, Almost Dawn (Navrona) {1}: am:* -- A:90/1