Autumn 2014 looks to be a corker. With albums from Jamie T, Caribou SBTRKT to Johnny Marr, Leonard Cohen, Stevie Nicks, every week will be exciting in the music world. We’ve picked out 50 you should probably look out for….
1Jamie T – ‘Carry On The Grudge’
Jamie T – ‘Carry On The Grudge’
When’s it out? September 29
Five years after he released his last album ‘Kings And Queens’ and essentially disappeared off the face of the earth, the Wimbledon troubadour makes a startling comeback. ‘Carry On The Grudge’ continues his knack for capturing the gritty side of life.
2Karen O – ‘Crush Songs’
Karen O – ‘Crush Songs’
When’s it out? September 8
‘Crush Songs’ is comprised of songs written and recorded in Yeah Yeah Yeahs front-woman Karen O’s bedroom between 2006-2007 after the disintegration of a relationship. Way more stripped down than her day job’s output, it’s a fragile and intimate porthole into O’s emotional psyche.
3Death From Above 1979 – ‘The Physical World’
Death From Above 1979 – ‘The Physical World’
When’s it out? September 8
Ten years on from their brilliant debut, ‘You’re A Woman, I’m A Machine’, the Toronto duo are finally ready to release their second LP. ‘The Physical World’ continues that record’s pounding thrash updated to reflect the world in 2014.
4Ex Hex – ‘Rips’
Ex Hex – ‘Rips’
When’s it out? October 13
Wild Flag’s Mary Timony goes it alone on ‘Rips’, mining a host of rock’n’roll influences like The Modern Lovers and Television to create something stuttering but effortlesly cool. A lot of people may long for her former band but Ex Hex should go some way to filling that void.
5Simian Mobile Disco – ‘Whorl’
Simian Mobile Disco – ‘Whorl’
When’s it out? September 8
To make their new album, Jas Shaw and James Ford headed out to the southern Californian album desert with just two synths, two sequencers and a mixer. With them, they made ‘Whorl’, a beatless record that shows a new side to the dance titans.
6Jessie Ware – ‘Tough Love’
Jessie Ware – ‘Tough Love’
When’s it out? October 6
Jessie Ware wasn’t always destined to be a popstar, only finding her feet after a handful of guest spots on dance tracks. ‘Tough Love’ follows her debut album ‘Devotion’ and looks set to continue her rise from Brixton wannabe to bonafide superstar.
7Tops – ‘Picture You Staring’
Tops – ‘Picture You Staring’
When’s it out? September 8
The Montreal quartet return with an album of mellow, vulnerable pop. Fellow (one-time) Arbutus signing Grimes loving called them a “bunch of weirdos”, and that they may be, but ‘Picture You Staring’ has plenty of solid hooks to fall in love with.
8Avi Buffalo – ‘At Best Cuckold’
Avi Buffalo – ‘At Best Cuckold’
When’s it out? September 8
Avi Zahner-Isenberg returns with his second album ‘At Best Cuckold’, seemingly over his previous struggle with being held up as an indie teen prodigy first time round. This time, he’s taking influence from George Harrison, Elliott Smith and Crosby, Stills & Nash.
9Caribou – ‘Our Love’
Caribou – ‘Our Love’
When’s it out? October 6
Canadian electro maestro Dan Snaith has been off creating under his other alias Daphni lately. But now he’s back as Caribou, readying his fifth album. ‘Can’t Do Without You’ has already proved he has what it takes to make some of the best music around and the rest of ‘Our Love’ raises the bar.
10Mazes – ‘Wooden Aquarium’
Mazes – ‘Wooden Aquarium’
When’s it out? September 8
Despite being recorded in upstate New York with Parquet Courts producer Jonathan Schenke, London-based Mazes’ third record shows off a love of the UK with tracks named ‘Salford’ and ‘Stamford Hill’. Elsewhere, they mine ‘60s pop and Pixies rock to make their best effort yet.
11Ryan Adams – ‘Ryan Adams’
Ryan Adams – ‘Ryan Adams’
When’s it out? September 8
The singer-songwriter reaches the pinnacles of his fourteenth studio album, taking influence from Tom Petty and the production work of Bob Clearmountain (The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen).
12Tricky – ‘Adrian Thaws’
Tricky – ‘Adrian Thaws’
When’s it out? September 8
Trip-hop icon and Beyoncé’s special guest for her Glastonbury headline performance, Tricky returns with a new album with tracks on it, such as the propulsive ‘Nicotine Love’, you could listen to in a nightclub. On it, he mixes electroclash, rapid-fire dance-pop and a cover of London Posse’s ‘Gangster Chronicle’.
13The Juan Maclean – ‘In A Dream’
The Juan Maclean – ‘In A Dream’
When’s it out? September 15
DFA Records signing and LCD Soundsystem cohorts Juan Maclean and Nancy Whang prove there’s life after James Murphy with their latest album. Full of progressive, playful electro-pop, ‘In A Dream’ is as heavenly as its title suggests.
14Twin Peaks – ‘Wild Onion’
Twin Peaks – ‘Wild Onion’
When’s it out? September 1
The Chicago band follow up their debut UK release, the ‘Flavor’ EP, with their first full-length album on these shores. ‘Wild Onion’ takes a trip through ‘60s influences right through to The Strokes. You can listen to it on NME Blogs now.
15Interpol – ‘El Pintor’
Interpol – ‘El Pintor’
When’s it out? September 8
Interpol’s first recorded output not to feature former bassist Carlos Dengler marks a renaissance for the New York band. Worlds apart from the dark dirge of their last, self-titled LP, ‘El Pintor’ maintains their gloomy mood but presents it far slicker and gracefully than before.
16The Vines – ‘Wicked Nature’
The Vines – ‘Wicked Nature’
When’s it out? September 1
That ‘Wicked Nature’ is The Vines’ sixth album might surprise some people. Perhaps equally surprising that, even at 22 tracks long, it’s a stellar return to public conscience, full of short but sweet bullets of blistering rock’n’roll.
17Slash – ‘World On Fire ‘
Slash – ‘World On Fire ‘
When’s it out? September 15
The top-hatted former Guns N’ Roses guitarist returns for his third solo album, ‘World On Fire’. He’s joined once again by Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators on the record, which should be full of classic rock licks and noodling solos.
18Pulled Apart By Horses – ‘Blood’
Pulled Apart By Horses – ‘Blood’
When’s it out? September 1
The Leeds rock four-piece tried to work with Portishead’s Geoff Barrow on their third album but, after a day’s recording didn’t work out, opted for Eagulls’ producer Matt Peel. The results are full of Nirvana-esque grunge noise.
19Alt-J – ‘This Is All Yours’
Alt-J – ‘This Is All Yours’
When’s it out? September 22
The Mercury Music Prize winners have already unveiled a handful of songs from the follow-up to ‘An Awesome Wave’ and, from the sounds of it, Alt-J haven’t lost their surreal touch. Case in point, ‘Every Other Freckle’’s much talked about “I want to turn you inside out and lick you like a crisp packet” lyric. Nice.
20Julian Casablancas & The Voidz – ‘Tyranny’
Julian Casablancas & The Voidz – ‘Tyranny’
When’s it out? October 13
Julian Casablancas is set to drop his second solo album later this year, on his very own label Cult Records. This time around he’s got backing band The Voidz helping him out and it’s said to be a lot scuzzier than the slick synth sheen of ‘Phrazes Of The Young’.
21Goat – ‘Commune’
Goat – ‘Commune’
When’s it out? September 22
Swedish psych rockers Goat are still keeping themselves hidden behind masks on their second album but ‘Commune’ should see the cult around them grow even more. Expect influences from across the world combined to make something hypnotic, unique and dance-worthy.
22King Tuff – ‘Black Moon Spell’
King Tuff – ‘Black Moon Spell’
When’s it out? September 22
Kyle Thomas goes full on Bolan on ‘Black Moon Spell’, mixing glam stomp with sneering vocals. It’s a bit ramshackle, slightly dirty but a completely giddy listen.
23Perfume Genius – ‘Too Bright’
Perfume Genius – ‘Too Bright’
When’s it out? September 22
Perfume Genius aka Seattle songwriter Mike Hadreas has always poured his heart into his songs but ‘Too Bright’, his third LP, is his most personal yet. Expect plenty of heart-wrenching moments punctuated by the euphoric likes of ‘Queen’.
24SBTRKT – ‘Wonder Where We Land’
SBTRKT – ‘Wonder Where We Land’
When’s it out? September 22
If there’s one thing SBTRKT does well it’s rope in big names to feature on his tracks. As well as reuniting with long-time collaborator Sampha, Aaron Jerome’s bagged Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig, Jessie Ware (who worked with the producer before she got her breakthrough) and A$AP Ferg on his second album.
25The Drums – ‘Encyclopedia‘
The Drums – ‘Encyclopedia‘
When’s it out? September 22
Jonathan Pierce and Jacob Graham ditch the rest of the New York band to put out their third album ‘Encyclopedia’. Keeping their formula of writing sad songs that sound misleadingly happy, it’s another piece of saccharine indie-pop to file next to the Field Mice and the Sarah Records stable.
26The Vaselines – ‘V For Vaselines’
The Vaselines – ‘V For Vaselines’
When’s it out? September 29
Kurt Cobain-favourites left 18 years between their debut album ‘Dum Dum’ and ‘Sex With An X’. No such decade-spanning gap between that and ‘V For Vaselines’ – and the band have roped in Glasgow’s finest to help out, including members of Belle & Sebastian, Sons & Daughters and Teenage Fanclub.
27Christopher Owens – ‘A New Testament’
Christopher Owens – ‘A New Testament’
When’s it out? September 29
Former Girls frontman Christopher Owens continues his solo jaunt with a new album to follow up last year’s ‘Lysandre’. Collaborators from his old band, Darren Weiss, John Anderson and Danny Eisenberg contribute to his flowery, romantic pop.
28The Growlers – ‘Chinese Fountain’
The Growlers – ‘Chinese Fountain’
When’s it out? September 29
Self-proclaimed beach goths The Growlers have recently been touring with Fat White Family and, though slightly less depraved, their music is just as ramshackle. On ‘Chinese Fountain’ they pay homage to their ‘60s garage influences with a set of winning alt-pop gems.
29Hudson Mohawke – ‘Chimes’ EP
Hudson Mohawke – ‘Chimes’ EP
When’s it out? September 29
The Glaswegian producer never seems to stop. Now, he’s offering up this four track EP, featuring a proper release for ‘Chimes’, a track that’s been floating around on the internet for a while.
30Gerard Way – ‘Hesitant Alien’
Gerard Way – ‘Hesitant Alien’
When’s it out? September 29
With My Chemical Romance done and dusted, their frontman is ditching the all-black outfit of the Black Parade and injecting a bit of colour into his life. The blue-suited singer has talked at length about his Britpop influences and his debut solo album will show just how he’s made them his own later this year.
31Zola Jesus – ‘Taiga’
Zola Jesus – ‘Taiga’
When’s it out? October 6
Nika Roza Danilova makes her bid for mainstream crossover on ‘Taiga’, which features some of her most out-and-out pop moments yet. The gothic-tinged singer even sounds like Rihanna at some points on the new record but it totally works.
32Philip Selway – ‘Weatherhouse’
Philip Selway – ‘Weatherhouse’
When’s it out? October 6
“I love records that you can almost live in, where the songs become talismans that you take to heart. That’s what I was trying to create in ‘Weatherhouse’,” says Radiohead drummer Philip Selway about his second album. From what we’ve heard, it’s an intimate beauty.
33Johnny Marr – ‘Playland’
Johnny Marr – ‘Playland’
When’s it out? October 6
The Godlike Genius told NME recently that most of his second album ‘Playland’ was written on the road so has the atmosphere of a live show to it. Lead single ‘Easy Money’ certainly backs that up – it’s an indie anthem in the making that doubles up as a rail against greed and wealth.
34Ozzy Osbourne – ‘Memoirs Of A Mad Man’
Ozzy Osbourne – ‘Memoirs Of A Mad Man’
When’s it out? October 6
The Black Sabbath man has been reunited with his band lately, playing gigs with the heavy metal group across summer. Now, he’s turning his attentions to his solo career and, on this new compilation, collating some of his finest moments from it.
35Sivu – ‘Something On High’
Sivu – ‘Something On High’
When’s it out? October 6
Cambridge singer-songwriter James Page aka Sivu has drawn plenty of comparisons to Bombay Bicycle Club and Alt-J since he first emerged but there’s a heartfelt quality to his songs that’s completely unique. ‘Something On High’ marks his debut album, a bringing together of his best tracks, littered with biblical references.
36Gorgon City – ‘Sirens’
Gorgon City – ‘Sirens’
When’s it out? October 7
Responsible for some of the biggest dance floor bangers of the summer, Klaxons collaborators Gorgon City are carrying those moments of club fun into autumn as they release their debut album. Expect wall-to-wall euphoria.
37Stevie Nicks – ‘24 Karat Gold: Songs From The Vault’
Stevie Nicks – ‘24 Karat Gold: Songs From The Vault’
When’s it out? October 6
The Fleetwood Mac lady’s new album is comprised mostly of demos recorded between 1969 and 1987, with two of the tracks recorded in the ‘90s. It’s an insight into the solo works of the musician and a sweet follow-up to 2011’s ‘In Your Dreams’.
38Kele – ‘Trick’
Kele – ‘Trick’
When’s it out? October 13
Even when Bloc Party were at the height of their activity, Kele Okereke always professed his love of dance music. He continues to follow that path on his second album ‘Trick’, a far more consistent and rewarding delve into electro-pop.
39Foxygen – ‘…And Star Power’
Foxygen – ‘…And Star Power’
When’s it out? October 13
Foxygen describe their new album as “a cinematic auditory adventure for speedy freaks, skull krunchers, abductees and misfits”. Clocking in at 24 tracks, this double album – unlike The Vines’ blink-and-you’ll-miss-it effort – makes its presence known via 82 minutes of rock freakouts and imaginative psych-folk.
40Kindness – ‘Otherness’
Kindness – ‘Otherness’
When’s it out? October 13
After releasing his debut album ‘World, You Need A Change Of Heart’, Kindness aka Adam Bainbridge slowly slipped out of view. He’s back now, though, and on his follow-up record he’s pulling in the big guns. ‘Otherness’ features guest spots from the likes of Blood Orange and Robyn.
41Flaming Lips – ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’
Flaming Lips – ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’
When’s it out? October 27
The ever prolific Flaming Lips’ next project takes the form of a Beatles tribute album. On it, they’ll cover every track from ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’, including a version of ‘Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds’ featuring Wayne Coyne’s new BFF Miley Cyrus.
42The Twilight Sad – ‘Nobody Wants To Be Here And Nobody Wants To Leave’
The Twilight Sad – ‘Nobody Wants To Be Here And Nobody Wants To Leave’
When’s it out? October 27
The Glasgow trio draw from across their back catalogue that spans eight years on their latest LP. As such, it takes a noisy but melodic, dense approach to making their best album yet.
43Foo Fighters – ‘Sonic Highways’
Foo Fighters – ‘Sonic Highways’
When’s it out? November 17
On their eighth album, Dave Grohl and co. recorded eight songs in eight different studios in cities across the UK, including Austin, Chicago, LA and more. So far, they’ve only shared eight seconds of the record but it’s bound to be full of big riffs and huge hooks.
44Deptford Goth – ‘Songs’
Deptford Goth – ‘Songs’
When’s it out? November 3
Deptford Goth aka Daniel Woolhouse is staying true to melancholy form on his second album. ‘Songs’ may not be the happiest record released this year but it is one of the most beautiful.
45Bass Drum Of Death – ‘Rip This’
Bass Drum Of Death – ‘Rip This’
When’s it out? November 3
Mississippi garage rock wizard John Barrett returns with ‘Rips’, promising more lo-fi pop tunes like those found on last year’s self-titled album.
46Prince – ‘Art Official Age’
Prince – ‘Art Official Age’
When’s it out? September 30
After the Hit & Run tour and rumours of Glastonbury, the last thing anyone expected this year was a Prince solo album. But the purple-loving icon has got one in the bag and it features his new best mate, Lianne La Havas.
47Prince & 3rdeyegirl – ‘PlectrumElectrum’
Prince & 3rdeyegirl – ‘PlectrumElectrum’
When’s it out? September 30
But putting out one album just isn’t exciting enough for Prince. On the same day as ‘Art Official Age’, he’ll release the much talked about ‘PlectrumElectrum’, recorded with his backing band 3rdEyeGirl.
48The Voyeurs – ‘Rhubarb Rhubarb’
The Voyeurs – ‘Rhubarb Rhubarb’
When’s it out? November 10
Charlie Boyer & The Voyeurs have ditched their frontman’s name from their moniker and are back with a new album to go with their new alias. It seems they’ve got a new obsession with the vegetable rhubarb, naming the record after it and mentioning it in lead single ‘England Sings Rhubarb Rhubarb’.
49The 2 Bears – ‘The Night Is Young’
The 2 Bears – ‘The Night Is Young’
When’s it out?
Joe Goddard and Raf Daddy suit up in their bear costumes once again for their second effort. Expect tongue-in-cheek humour and banging house beats.
50Weezer – ‘Everything Will Be Alright In The End’
Weezer – ‘Everything Will Be Alright In The End’
When’s it out? September 29
Rivers Cuomo and his LA band return with their ninth studio album, which the frontman has said was influenced both by his relationship with his father and being “locked up” with their fans on the Weezer Cruise.