Ahh, autumn is here at last. The leaves are changing colors, the pumpkin spice lattés have returned to Starbucks, and the greatest music of the year is dropping with the temperature.
Hot on the heels of phenomenal summer albums from Shabazz Palaces and Swans, breakthrough releases from FKA twigs and clipping, and a long-overdue return from Aphex Twin, October will see the release of anonymous synth-popper SBTRKT’s “Wonder Where We Land” (featuring guest performances from the likes of Ezra Koenig and A$AP Ferg), alongside R&B virtuoso Flying Lotus’ highly-anticipated “You’re Dead” (a “shamanic pilgrimage into the psychedelic unknown of the infinite afterlife,” featuring everyone from Kendrick Lamar to Herbie Hancock).
Also on the way is “Our Love” by dance musician Caribou, aka Daniel Snaith (who moonlights as a mathematician and had a PHD thesis on “overconvergent siegel modular symbols” published a few years back).
On the flipside, rap duo Run the Jewels (Killer Mike and El-P) will be releasing its sophomore effort, “RTJ2,” for free on Oct. 28. The group has also started a feline side-project called “Meow the Jewels,” where they will re-record “RTJ2” using only cat sounds (and donate the money “to a charity directly benefiting the families of Eric Garner and Mike Brown”).
Funk aficionados, however, can look forward to the Nov. 4 release of “Michael” by Les Sins, a beat-centric alias of Chaz Bundick (better known as Toro y Moi).
In addition, there are two albums by artsy singer-songwriters set for Halloween release dates: “Ruins,” which lo-fi guitarist Grouper (Liz Harris) allegedly recorded during a 2011 sojourn in Portugal, and “How to Leave Town,” a collection of unreleased material by literary darling Car Seat Headrest (Will Toledo).
But, you might ask, what’s going to be the number one album of the season? As I wrap my scarf around my neck and clutch my warm Panera brioche tight with my fingerless gloves, I say these five words: One Direction, “Four,” Nov. 17.
You can thank me later.
-Christopher Good
