My Morning Jacket, Meek Mill, and 26 more albums we can't wait to hear in October

For as much as we believe our tastes remain stubbornly our tastes, immutable and determined solely by us, the changing of the seasons can make a pretty compelling counterargument. The weather gets cold, the sun sets earlier, and suddenly we’re listening to a lot less Dua Lipa, and a lot more Radiohead. Just as whether we’re happy or sad can dictate our choices in musical balm, so, too, does the climate help determine how many beats per minute we want filling our speakers. And to a degree, the albums coming out in the fall reflect that shift: We’ve got a bunch of great new releases from artists more interested in having you hit the headphones than the dance floor: My Morning Jacket, Billy Bragg, Hovvdy, and more all make an appearance in October—and if you’re not ready for the party to stop, artists like Remi Wolf and Meek Mill have got you covered. Plus, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga tackle more standards, so there’s truly something for everyone. Read on to see the records we’re most looking forward to spinning in October.

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Brandi Carlile, In These Silent Days [October 1]

Brandi Carlile, In These Silent Days [October 1]

Brandi Carlile’s seventh studio album In These Silent Days drops on October 1, just in time to have a soulful fall. The artist said she wrote the album in her barn “during a time of deep and personal reckoning” and the 10 songs are full of reflection and celebration, as witnessed in her first track. “Right On Time”—with a music video directed by Courteney Cox, of all people—is a slow, profound ballad. [Saloni Gajjar]

Hovvdy, True Love [October 1]

Hovvdy, True Love [October 1]

With their fourth studio album, Austin pop duo Hovvdy presents its most mature and grounded sounds yet. The single “True Love” feels like a warm hug, with the pair singing about someone who provides comfort, as delicate melodies wash over the listener. There’s a nostalgic quality to the layering of their voices and guitar lines that don’t overwork themselves, reminiscent of Real Estate’s Days in all the best ways. Breezy and bright-eyed, their recent offerings are perfect for watching the leaves fall on an autumn stroll. [Gabrielle Sanchez]

Illuminati Hotties, Let Me Do One More [October 1]

The restless creativity that’s made previous Illuminati Hotties music an occasionally uneven product is the same reason any new release is a must-hear: Sarah Tudzin’s uncompromising and ever-shifting muse allows her to gamble on sonic experiments many pop artists would be too nervous to let out of the gate. Whether it’s intentionally cracking and Valley Girl-ing her lovely voice for raucous pop nuggets or stripping away her signature ebullient energy for a beautiful number like “Threatening Each Other Re: Capitalism,” Tudzin’s talent for songcraft is undeniable. [Alex McLevy]

Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett, Love For Sale [October 1]

Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett, Love For Sale [October 1]

Odd couple Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett pair up again for more of their inspired takes on nostalgic classics, a followup to 2014’s Cheek To Cheek. Love For Sale focuses on Cole Porter compositions exclusively, including standards like the title track, “Night And Day,” “It’s De-Lovely,” and a version of “I Get A Kick Out Of You” that features the risqué original lyrics. But this release is all the more poignant because it’s the final collaboration between the 35-year-old icon and the 95-year-old legend: At the time of recording, Bennett had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and just announced that his live performances with Gaga in August were his last. [Gwen Ihnat]

Meek Mill, Expensive Pain [October 1]

Meek Mill, Expensive Pain [October 1]

Sure, 2018’s Championships was way too long, but Meek Mill’s first post-prison album also featured some of the best work of the rapper’s career, from the title track to scorching diss number “Oodles O’Noodles Babies.” And early singles from the forthcoming Expensive Pain don’t just show promise, but deliver straight-up sequels that capitalize on the Philly artist’s previous efforts (Specifically, “Blue Notes 2,” the Lil Uzi Vert-aided follow-up to mixtape DC4’s “Blue Notes.”) Talent, it seems, can’t stay locked away, either. [Alex McLevy]

Atmosphere, Word [October 8]

Atmosphere, Word [October 8]

The Minneapolis-based hip-hop duo Atmosphere has been spitting out artful innovations of what was eventually termed “emo rap” before anyone even knew what that sounded like. And while more recent music from rapper Slug and ever-evolving producer Ant has occasionally lacked the passion and fire of their early work, the pair has doubled down on the thoughtful, introspective lyricism and retro pleasures of a well-honed boom bap. Alongside greats like Kool Keith or De La Soul, Atmosphere offers a case study on how to mature gracefully in hip-hop. [Alex McLevy]

Billy Bragg, The Million Things That Never Happened [October 8]

Billy Bragg, The Million Things That Never Happened [October 8]

This month British singer-songwriter-activist Billy Bragg releases his first new studio album in several years. And not a moment too soon: Bragg has called first single “I’ll Be Your Shield” “the heart and soul of the album,” and it’s indeed a sublime, strings-and-piano-steeped ballad, like a grownup version of “The Milkman Of Human Kindness” all those years ago. As always, Bragg delivers his messaging via irrepressible music (and surprisingly unchanged vocals), like the enthusiastic cheerleading of “Pass It On” and the sly pandemic commentary cloaked in the bouncy pop of “Ten Mysterious Photos That Can’t Be Explained.” [Gwen Ihnat]

Lala Lala, I Want The Door To Open [October 8]

Lala Lala, I Want The Door To Open [October 8]

Ever since her 2018 critically-acclaimed sophomore record The Lamb, we’ve eagerly followed whatever Lillie West does under the Lala Lala moniker. But while her last album shone brightest in its tender, soothing moments, this time around West is going big, as she shows with lead single “DIVER.” I Want The Door Open is set to be more polished than West’s previous records, yet more experimental (presumably thanks to her her exciting series of collaborations over the past couple years), featuring a bevy of brilliant artists, like Ben Gibbard, NNAMDÏ, OHMME, Sen Morimoto, and Christian Lee Hutson. [Tatiana Tenreyro]

Magdalena Bay, Mercurial World [October 8]

Magdalena Bay, Mercurial World [October 8]

It’s always exciting to hear a new artist that sounds like they’re squarely carrying on the baton for well-established styles of pop, yet somehow making it wholly their own at the same time. In the tradition of Chvches or Sylvan Esso—two groups that know from successfully reinventing the wheel—Magdelena Bay uses the conventions of retro electronic sounds to create their own distinctive spin, be it Daft Punk-style disco grooves or throbbing EDM bombast. In a year already rich with excellent pop albums, Mercurial World could well join their ranks. [Alex McLevy]

Ben Barnes, Songs For You [October 8]

Ben Barnes, Songs For You [October 8]

With Songs For You, Ben Barnes isn’t staking out another corner of stardom. The EP from the Westworld and Shadow And Bone actor is heartfelt yet polished, with songs that have, in some cases, been years in the making. The ’70s-inspired single “11:11" was accompanied by a swoony video with Evan Rachel Wood, but there’s the overriding sense that Barnes is just excited to fully indulge in a skill he’s offered only glimpses of in the past. [Danette Chavez]

Dark Mark Vs. Skeleton Joe, Dark Mark Vs. Skeleton Joe [October 15]

King of the collaborators, Screaming Trees’ Mark Lanegan has teamed up with everyone from Queens Of The Stone Age to Greg Dulli to Isobel Campbell to produce an eclectic body of work over the years. And now, he’s joined forces again, this time with The Icarus Line’s Joe Cardamone, for a collection of electronic/industrial-influenced music they’ve dubbed Dark Mark Vs. Skeleton Joe. Single “Manifesto” suggests the kind of direction this will take—bleak, pulsing intensity—and it’s familiar ground for both artists, but with a distinctively new twist. [Alex McLevy]

John Carpenter, Halloween Kills OST [October 15]

John Carpenter, Halloween Kills OST [October 15]

Okay, so early reviews of the new Halloween sequel haven’t exactly been kind. But you know what hasn’t had an unkind word said about it The soundtrack, and that’s because John Carpenter—director of the unbeatable original film—is back to score it. Following four fantastic records of instrumental music with partners Daniel Davies and his son Cody Carpenter, the horror maestro delivers another actual film score, and if history is anything to go on (the Carpenters and Davies created the soundtrack for David Gordon Green’s first Halloween sequel, too), it’ll be killer. [Alex McLevy]

Coldplay, Music Of The Spheres [October 15]

Coldplay, Music Of The Spheres [October 15]

The British band returns with their ninth album, Music Of The Spheres, scheduled for release on October 15. Coldplay has dropped hints about the space-themed album since the launch of 2019’s Everyday Life. The two singles, “Higher Power’’ and “Coloratura,” transport the band into exciting uncharted musical territory. One of the songs, “My Universe,” features a BTS collaboration. [Saloni Gajjar]

Julia Shapiro, Zorked! [October 15]

Julia Shapiro, Zorked! [October 15]

Chastity Belt, Childbirth, and Who Is She leader Julia Shapiro releases her second album under her own name. While her other projects have plenty of punk rippers, Zorked! takes on a far different sound: It’s a shoegaze record. Singles “Come With Me” and “Death (XIII)” are stunning, with Shapiro showing that her music is just as engaging when she’s creating gentle melodies as it is when she’s singing catchy, tongue-in-cheek hooks for her other bands. [Tatiana Tenreyro]

Remi Wolf, Juno [October 15]

Remi Wolf, Juno [October 15]

Playful, vibrant, and wickedly talented, singer-rapper Remi Wolf presents herself as an outsider, but creates sounds suitable for any get-down. With echoes of artists like M.I.A., Santigold, and MGMT, the singles from Juno are high energy, and melt like rainbow chalk on a hot sidewalk. Her EP I’m Allergic To Dogs! received the remix album treatment, bringing on electro-pop titans such as Little Dragon, Hot Chip, Panda Bear, Tune-Yards, Beck, Sylvan Esso, and more. Remi Wolf’s been one to watch for a while, and Juno feels like a joyride waiting to happen. [Gabrielle Sanchez]

Xenia Rubinos, Una Rosa [October 15]

Xenia Rubinos, Una Rosa [October 15]

It’s been a long time since Xenia Rubinos last dazzled us with an album—2016’s Black Terry Cat, to be precise—but the lengthy interim seems like it was put to good use, as the jazz-funk and R&B singer and multi-instrumentalist has crafted a double-edged evolution of her sound. Featuring a first half (the “RED” side) focused on aggressive, uptempo numbers, and a “BLUE” counterpoint that showcases the more downbeat and thoughtful tracks, Una Rosa should serve as a stirring reminder of why Rubinos is one of the more joyfully magnetic singers out there. (If you haven’t seen her Tiny Desk Concert yet, you should.) [Alex McLevy]

Young Thug, Punk [October 15]

Young Thug, Punk [October 15]

He may have settled more into a signature style on his first “official” album, 2019’s So Much Fun, but a decade into his career, Young Thug is still surprising: Some of the couplets on recent single “Tick Tock” are as unusually delivered as any in his lengthy resume of idiosyncratic flows and inspired reworkings of the English language. At this point, the Lil Wayne disciple has inspired his own coterie of artists influenced by his signature strangeness and eclectic sounds—and Punk could well serve as a reminder of why that is. [Alex McLevy]

Clinic, Fantasy Island [October 22]

Clinic, Fantasy Island [October 22]

Unless your friends are all herky-jerky scarecrows, Clinic might not be the first band that comes to mind when you’re making a playlist for a backyard luau. But the Liverpool foursome is trying something new on its latest release, Fantasy Island, which the band describes as “a tin of fruit cocktail” in musical form. This 12-song set combines breezy melodies (the fruit cocktail) with electronic soundscapes (the tin), for a record that you could see yourself spinning on a tropical holiday—on Mars. [Katie Rife]

CL, Alpha [October 22]

CL, Alpha [October 22]

CL first debuted back in 2007 with girl group 2NE1—but even though she’s a K-pop OG and has released one-off singles and mini EPs over the years, Alpha will be her first full-length album. Back in August she dropped “Spicy,” a fiery track with catchy, boastful lyrics all about how proud she is to be South Korean (“She got the sauce and it’s spicy / You’re rocking with the most fly Asians”). After a storied history in the industry (which includes the 2NE1 disbandment in 2016 and a U.S. debut that failed to pick up mainstream momentum in 2014), it will be interesting to see how CL kicks off this next chapter. [Shanicka Anderson]

Duran Duran, FUTURE PAST [October 22]

Duran Duran, FUTURE PAST [October 22]

The 2021 version of Duran Duran features four out of five of the band’s original members (Andy Taylor, we hardly knew ye), about to unleash their 15th album on the world. While new tracks like “Invisible” aren’t about to make anyone forget about “Rio,” Simon Le Bon’s vocals are as strong as ever—especially on “Anniversary,” a nod to the band’s tenacity. Nick Rhodes continues his inspired experimentation on keyboards as John Taylor’s groovy ’80s-era bass fights for prominence—and wins. [Gwen Ihnat]

Elton John, The Lockdown Sessions [October 22]

With his massive farewell tour put on hold, Sir Elton John got right back into the studio, bringing some of his famous friends and favorite up-and-coming artists along with him. A collection of songs produced throughout the pandemic—including a Rina Swayama duet, a contribution to Lil Nas X’s Montero, a Metallica cover, and a better-than-it-has-any-right-to-be nü-disco mashup from PNAU with Dua Lipa—The Lockdown Sessions is an eclectic mix for old and new fans alike that solidifies Elton’s position as the godfather of modern pop. [Cameron Scheetz]

La Luz, La Luz [October 22]

La Luz, La Luz [October 22]

For its last studio album, 2018’s Floating Features, La Luz played up the heavier, fuzzier side of its “surf noir” sound by pairing with Dan Auerbach of Black Keys fame. This time, however, the LA trio is creating a warmer, more organic mood with the help of producer Adrian Younge. Younge’s soul background makes La Luz just as dreamy as the band’s previous work, but with a sunny, laid-back Laurel Canyon type of vibe. La Luz’s fondness for puppets remains, however, in the charming video for piano-driven single “Watching Cartoons.” [Katie Rife]

Lana Del Rey, Blue Banisters [October 22]

Lana Del Rey, Blue Banisters [October 22]

Okay, so Chemtrails Over The Country Club wasn’t the follow-up to Norman Fucking Rockwell! that we might’ve hoped for. That doesn’t mean the forthcoming Blue Banisters can’t still be the evermore to Chemtrails’ folklore: a record that quickly follows the other and, while carving out its own distinct identity, nevertheless succeeds by continuing the path of its predecessor. And early singles are promising, especially the languid and lovely “Arcadia.” [Alex McLevy]

My Morning Jacket, My Morning Jacket [October 22]

My Morning Jacket, My Morning Jacket [October 22]

After more than 20 years and eight studio albums, My Morning Jacket finally decided a new release is fitting of the self-titled treatment. The record sounds like it’s very much in keeping with the group’s signature sound—searching, soulful rock leavened with plenty of psychedelic swirls and country-inflected grooves. It’s only been a year since the band released The Waterfall II, but this already comes across like My Morning Jacket rediscovering the beating heart of its music. [Alex McLevy]

Parquet Courts, Sympathy For Life [October 22]

Parquet Courts, Sympathy For Life [October 22]

Each new Parquet Courts album has a way of playing telephone with its immediate predecessor—what’s passed is transformed from one to the next. The fast-paced freakouts of 2012’s Light Up Gold, e.g., showed up two years later on Sunbathing Animal, albeit often in drawn-out forms. Likewise, the dancey grooves and all-hands-on-deck vocals laced throughout the upcoming Sympathy For Life will be no surprise to anyone who got down to 2018’s Wide Awake! Here the rollicking opener “Walking At A Downtown Pace” is the missing link. [Laura Adamczyk]

The F16s, Is It Time To Eat The Rich Yet [October 22]

The F16s, Is It Time To Eat The Rich Yet [October 22]

Lead single “Easy Bake Easy Wake” is like a warm blanket of pop—featuring terrific lyrics like, “She fucked me like the government,” delivered in a honeyed singsong—from India’s The F16s, a four-piece group that specializes in the easy pleasures of throwback bops. While there’s a step up in the complexity of arrangements from 2019’s WKND FRNDS EP, the new album (bearing the excellent title Is It Time To Eat The Rich Yet) promises an album’s worth of catchy, soulful grooves, riding on hummable bass lines and lighter-than-air melodies. [Alex McLevy]

Wet, Letter Blue [October 22]

Wet, Letter Blue [October 22]

To forge a new direction forward, Wet goes back to the beginning on Letter Blue. The dreamy alt-pop outfit has reunited with founding member Marty Sulkow and once again gone DIY, self-releasing their third album with AWAL (previously, Wet was signed with Columbia Records). The result is a more experimental approach to their brand of R&B-inflected songs of love and longing, as in the chirps and clicks of the standout single “Clementine,” or the way “Larabar” distorts singer Kelly Zutrau’s typically emotive vocals to exhilarating effect. [Cameron Scheetz]

The War on Drugs, I Don’t Live Here Anymore [October 29]

The War on Drugs, I Don’t Live Here Anymore [October 29]

Discussions of The War On Drugs’ brand of stirring, bombastic rock usually revolve around frontman/Svengali Adam Granduciel’s studio wizardry. But in the wake of the band’s Best Rock Album Grammy for 2017’s A Deeper Understanding, Granduciel again embraced the process of collaboration with his bandmates, spending the next three years honing what would become I Don’t Live Here Anymore. The results, as evidenced by early singles like “Living Proof” and the title track, are a testament to the band’s commitment to maintaining its signature quality. [Alex McLevy]