Ah, September. Cooler nights, layers, fall air, and…tons of new music? Who knew that this month would be filled to the brim with album releases? I have so much music I want to share that I need to make this post a two-parter. Let’s take a look at what’s coming up:
September 4
Animal Collective, Centipede Hz
I don’t really know how to describe Animal Collective besides…experimental. Their music video for their single “Today’s Supernatural” reminds me of Empire of the Sun but more, well, experimental. Because of this, the video might be a little distracting from the song so I’d advise first playing it without watching. The single is a little more grittier than their other stuff but it still manages to be classic Animal Collective. Their 2007 song “Fireworks” and 2009 album Merriweather Post Pavillion are good places to start if you find yourself interested in listening to them.
NPR’s First Listen album preview of Centipede Hz
Two Door Cinema Club, Beacon
Irish indie pop band Two Door Cinema Club is coming out with their second studio album Beacon, with their first single being “Sleep Alone.” This track doesn’t catch my attention as much as their older songs “What You Know” and “Undercover Martyn” but I’m still excited to see what else they have to offer on Beacon.
Cat Power, Sun
I don’t know much about Cat Power because I only discovered her recently due to the buzz surrounding Sun, but what I do know from a minimal amount of research is that it’s her first album in six years. Her single “Ruin” sounds like a mix of Kimbra and Róisín Murphy, which is good in my book! Download “Ruin” for free here.
NPR’s First Listen album preview of Sun
September 11
The Avett Brothers, The Carpenter
Folk rock lovers are probably jumping for joy over the fact that both The Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons are releasing albums this month. The Avetts are about the closest I’ll get to listening to country music (then again, I went on a Shania Twain bender the other day [I don’t know either]) because of their heavy bluegrass influence. Below is the Avetts performing one of their songs “Down With the Shine.”
NPR’s First Listen album preview of The Carpenter
The xx, Coexist
Another highly anticipated album coming out this month is from The xx. Jamie xx is the producer of the group and while some of you might not know him by name, he’s responsible for producing one of the biggest tracks this year – Drake and Rihanna’s “Take Care.” The xx is in a different genre than Drake but after you listen to some of their music, you can’t doubt that “Take Care” is a Jamie xx track. Check out their haunting lead single “Angels”:
September 16
Mika, The Origin of Love
Anyone remember Mika’s songs “Grace Kelly,” “Lollipop,” or “Love Today”? His single “Celebrate” from The Origin of Love is still playful, but noticeably more toned down than his previous material. “Celebrate” is actually a collaboration with Pharrell Williams and Nick Littlemore of Empire of the Sun. The collaborations don’t stop there – Ellie Goulding, Benny Benassi, and Martin Solveig are also said to have been involved with the production of the album.
The Collabor-eight 