Top 5 albums to look forward to

September 8, 2016 — by Derek Chen

5 new albums to look forward to during the fall

  1. Bon Iver: 22, A Million
    Release Date: Sept. 30
    After more than five years, critically acclaimed indie folk rock band Bon Iver is set to return in just two weeks with a highly anticipated third studio album, 22, A Million. The album features 10 tracks, all sporting absurd titles. The group members seem to be drifting further apart from the norms and boundaries of genres as they continue to evolve, judging from the three singles off the album that have been released. Fans who were captivated by the band’s second studio album Bon Iver, Bon Iver will find themselves in a similar daze with the new album, featuring frontman Justin Vernon’s signature voice and introspective lyrics. “10 d E A T h b R E a s T ⚄ ⚄” is especially unique, utilizing autotuned vocals over an aggressive beat consisting of booming drums, distorted electronic noises, bright horns and a vocoder-produced counter-melody. With the singles already receiving practically universal acclaim, the album will definitely be worth a listen.

 

  1. Justice: Untitled

    Release Date: TBA

    Iconic French electronic duo Justice, arguably one of the most influential electronic bands of the 21st century, have announced that their third studio album is on the way and, in an interview with Annie Mac for BBC Radio, confirmed they are now “putting the last touches on it.” Justice combines dark synths and harsh riffs from disco, metal and rock in a manner defined by electro house. On July 13, Justice released a single titled “Safe and Sound,” their first new material since 2011. The single shows promise for the upcoming album, making use of impressive guitar lines and a choir over a progressive rock and funk-based instrumental. Justice continues to sound unlike any other electronic artist, and their return is both refreshing and relieving for fans of electronic music.

     

  2. Danny Brown: Atrocity Exhibition

    Release Date: Sept. 30

    After a 3-year hiatus, the highly polarizing 35-year-old experimental rapper Danny Brown plans on releasing his fourth studio album, Atrocity Exhibition, on Sept. 30. The tracklist boasts features from modern-day rap lyricists Kendrick Lamar, Earl Sweatshirt and Ab-Soul. However, Brown does not shy away from taking credit where credit is due; in an interview with “Rolling Stone,” he states, “I'm pretty much the main star of this show, as always.” Brown is best known for his dark, fast-paced rapping style and distinct high-pitched voice; these are exemplified in “When It Rain,” a single off the upcoming album. Brown’s abrasive raps about poverty and violence in his hometown Detroit coupled with a sinister beat produced by Paul White set a murderous mood from the start of the song. Fans can expect more of his tense and unconventional sound on Atrocity Exhibition.

     

  3. Devendra Banhart: Ape in Pink Marble

    Release Date: Sept. 23

    Lo-fi alternative folk artist Devendra Obi Banhart is set to release his ninth studio album Ape in Pink Marble on Sept. 23. Utilizing a soft and uncomplicated indie pop sound, Banhart delivers romantic lyrics characterized by both sentimentality and humor over soothing guitar lines. “All the records I've made have been peppered with a couple little insouciant, joking tunes that are for fun,” Banhart said in a 2009 interview for “Pitchfork.” “Like I'm trying to write weird bubble-gum pop … this is the sixth record and they all suck. So the goal is to make a good one at some point.” Although his records still appear to be full of “insouciant, joking tunes that are for fun,” most fans would agree that Banhart has long surpassed his goal.

  4. Phantogram: Three
    Release Date: Oct. 7
    Electro-pop duo Phantogram returns next month with their third studio album Three, after touring with Big Boi as Big Grams and releasing an EP together. The duo continues to create dreamy music comparable to the works of associated acts Beach House and The xx, displaying forward thinking production with intricately layered electronic beats. “[Our music] has elements of all kinds of things … lots of rhythms, swirling guitars, spacey keyboards, echoes, airy vocals,” said Josh Carter, one half of the duo, in an interview with local New York newspaper “Times Union.” To get a taste of what Carter describes, fans should listen to Phantogram’s 2014 album Voices and look out for the release of Three on Oct. 7

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