The ongoing pandemic-era traffic has kept up, and albums recorded or designed during quarantine are piling up for this fall, with fresh productions joining the lineup. A broad, varied harvest awaits us for the rentrée, and it deserves a closer look.
Pop idols: From Blackpink to Robbie Williams
One of the most anticipated moves in commercial pop is Rihanna’s long-awaited project following Anti (2016). Rumors point to a release called R9, though an exact date remains elusive; leaks suggest a possible appearance in the coming quarter. Additionally, chatter surrounds Cardi B and Janet Jackson, with whispers of a new record titled Black Diamond.
South Korea’s Blackpink returns with Born Pink, set for a global spotlight around its September release window, while Carly Rae Jepsen unveils The Time of Solitude this fall. In Latin music, Camilo is poised to release From the Inside Out on September 30, and Julieta Venegas returns seven years later with Walk Alone, planned for December 5. Male pop’s veteran scene features Robbie Williams with XXV, a collection of orchestral hits due September 9, and Eros Ramazzotti presenting Eternal Heartbeat on the 16th.
Alternative classics: Björk, Morrissey and Suede return
Björk takes the stage with Fossora, a record shaped by personal loss and featuring a Latin nod to the verb dig. New York experimentalist Serpentwithfeet and the Indonesian duo Gabber Modus Operandi are charting a path of collaboration with Operandi, with a fall release date yet to be confirmed.
In late year plans, Young Bonfire appears on the schedule. Morrissey, inspired by the Manchester Arena tragedy of 2017, threads a theme through mockery of Oasis-era comfort songs, with the biting line that mocks crowd nostalgia. Suede re-enters with Autofiction on September 16, signaling a punk-flavored return. Pixies collaborate on Doggerel, slated for release on the 30th. Meanwhile, Dominique A debuts Le Monde Réel, The Afghan Whigs bring How Do You Burn?, Death Cab for Cutie offers Asphalt Meadows, Editors release CPA, Beth Orton presents The Air Is Alive, and Lambchop returns with The Bible. Muse is expected to unveil People’s Will this week, followed by The 1975 with Being Funny in a Foreign Language in October, and Arctic Monkeys dropping The Car on the 21st.
Legends: Revisiting Lou Reed and Leonard Cohen
Lou Reed’s catalog grows with Words and Music, May 1965, a release arriving this Friday that uncovers unreleased recordings made with John Cale before The Velvet Underground. A new tribute project titled Here It Is gathers contributions from Leonard Cohen, Peter Gabriel, Iggy Pop, and Norah Jones, slated for October 14.
Marianne Loyal plans to issue the anthology Songs of Innocence and Experience 1965–1995 on September 16, featuring rarities and live footage, while Brian Eno presents Forever and Ever No More, a climate-crisis-inspired volume due October 14. Julian Lennon, returning after 11 years from the Beatle family, releases Jude on September 9, and Ringo Starr launches EP3 on November 18.
Hard rock and metal: a new chapter for Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers gain momentum with a second album, Under the Night Sun, expected October 14, built from sessions that yielded Unlimited Love. The Cult re-enters the scene with its new release Under the Midnight Sun, following six years of silence.
Veterans of the hard rock world also land bold notes: Ozzy Osbourne releases Patient No. 9 on September 9, reuniting with guitarist Tony Iommi. Megadeth unveils The Sick, The Dying… and the Dead! on September 2, Slipknot issues The Last Ever on the 30th, and Lamb of God offers Omens on October 7.
Spaniards: Zahara extends Puta and Bandini takes the long road
Macaco returns in September with Vuelame el Corazón, sharing the stage with C. Tangana, Leiva, and Ana Mena. Zahara follows with Reputa on the 23rd, a bold overhaul featuring collaborators from Rodrigo Cuevas to La Oreja de Van Gogh. Before year’s end, Manuel Carrasco is expected to unveil a new project.
In this lineup, Taburete releases Caminito a Matadero on the 30th, Elefantes drops Paper Pieces / Strange Things on October 7, and Mägo de Oz returns with Love and Oz Vol 2 on the 21st. The indie scene also teases Sr. with a project, Chinarro’s Reality Show, and a late-year return for Viva Sweden and Rigoberta Bandini. Catalan stages bring Pau Vallvé’s cheerful album, and La Iaia’s La Font Gelada marks Ernest Crusats’ debut; anticipation fills the season.
Note: This season carries a blend of legacy acts and fresh voices across rock, pop, indie, and metal, reflecting a broad spectrum of regional flavors and international collaborations. The fall calendar remains dynamic, with surprise releases possible at any moment and cross-genre fusions continuing to shape the musical conversation. This overview captures a snapshot of the evolving landscape and the anticipation surrounding each release, as reported by industry outlets and artist announcements. (Citations appear at the end of each section.)