25 Fall 2014 Albums We’re Looking Forward To
With Labor Day in the rearview mirror and another summer in the books, it’s time to look ahead to jacket weather, changing colors and pumpkin-spiced everything. But the part of fall we’re most looking forward to is the slew of new album releases on tap for the coming months.
Whether it’s not one but two new albums from a certain legendary Purple One or highly anticipated sophomore efforts from the likes of Foxygen and Run the Jewels, there’s something for everyone to look forward to. Here are the 25 fall records we’re most excited about, in order of release date.
Robert Plant, lullaby and…The Ceaseless Roar
Release date: Sept. 9
lullaby and…The Ceaseless Roar looks to be a departure in more ways than one for the Led Zeppelin frontman. He’s swapped out his Band of Joy for a new group—The Sensational Space Shifters—and he describes the album’s sound as “very crunchy and gritty, very West African and very Massive Attack-y.” Check out the first single, “Rainbow,” here.
Karen O, Crush Songs
Release date: Sept. 9
Karen O prefaces her first solo album with the following explanation: “When I was 27 I crushed a lot. I wasn’t sure I’d ever fall in love again. These songs were written + recorded in private around this time. They are the soundtrack to what was an ever continuing love crusade. I hope they keep you company on yours.” Stripped-down and lovelorn, Crush Songs features recordings from 2006 and 2007 by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs front woman. Check out the “Day Go By” video here.
Ryan Adams, Ryan Adams
Release date: Sept. 9
Ryan Adams’ upcoming eponymous release, his 14th solo LP, is the first we’ve heard from the songwriter in two years. Give a listen to first single “Gimme Something Good” here.
Justin Townes Earle, Single Mothers
Release date: Sept. 9
Single Mothers is a new beginning for Justin Townes Earle in many ways. It’s his first album for Vagrant Records, but more importantly, it sees him tackling new themes of sobriety and marriage as he settles into another, calmer chapter of his life. Listen to single “White Gardenias” here.
Allah-Las, Worship the Sun
We’ve been dying to hear the sophomore effort from the Allah-Las since way back in January when they dropped the “Every Girl”/”Had It All” single. We even dubbed the former one of our Top 3 songs of the year so far. Now our long wait is almost over. In the meantime, check out Worship the Sun’s “Buffalo Nickel” here
Tweedy, Sukierae
Release date: Sept. 23
Jeff Tweedy hasn’t exactly been hesitant to share sneak peeks of Sukierae, a family affair with his son Spencer that features guest spots from Lucius’ Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessing. We’ve already heard High As Hello, Summer Noon, I’ll Sing It and much more. Now, on top of all that, you can hear “Flowering” here.
Alt-J, This is All Yours
Release date: Sept. 23
Following the departure of bassist Gwil Sainsbury earlier this year, the path of Alt-J could have gone in numerous directions. However, if the first single from the band’s sophomore effort suggests anything, the trio has risen to the occasion. The song echoes familiar sounds against brand new backdrops, but if you listen closely, you’ll pick up on new elements filling the space, such as heavier hitting horns, whispers that fit into the looser vibe of this new Alt-J. Check out “Hunger of the Pine” here. —Zohair Hussain
Aphex Twin, Syro
Release date: Sept. 23
Richard David James is a titan of electronic music, and Syro is his first bonafide studio album in 13 years. It’ll be fascinating to see if the rise of EDM in recent years has influenced Aphex Twin at all or if he’ll continue to march to the beat of his own drum machine.
GOAT, Commune
Release date: Sept. 23
We first caught wind of this psychedelic Swedish collective at Bonnaroo this year and have been eagerly anticipating their new album ever since. Shrouded in secrecy, the members of GOAT choose to keep their identities hidden, revealing only that they hail from the tiny village of Korpilombolo, located north of the Arctic Circle. But their music—a dizzying blend of world influences—speaks for itself.