Pop idols: From Blackpink to Robbie Williams
The ongoing wave of pandemic-era releases continues to arrive this fall, with albums recorded or crafted during lockdown finally ready for review. A broad, varied lineup of new records is lining up for hire, and the preview here gathers the highlights.
Pop idols: From Blackpink to Robbie Williams
The most anticipated entry in mainstream pop remains Rihanna’s long-awaited project, the follow up to Anti from 2016. While the album’s official title remains undisclosed, rumors point toward a release window later this year. Also circulating are fresh projects from Cardi B and Janet Jackson, with early buzz calling it a bold return to form for both artists.
In the realm of singles, Blackpink is expected to unveil Born Pink with a September release, and Carly Rae Jepsen is touting Time of Loneliness for an October drop. Latin listeners will be treated to Camilo’s Inside Out, slated for September 30. Julieta Venegas returns after seven years with Walking Alone, due December 5. Robbie Williams issues a new project, marked by orchestral arrangements as part of a Fall release, while Eros Ramazzotti keeps the momentum going with Infinite Heartbeat on September 16.
Additional fall updates include a resurgence of artistic collaborations across genres, with new material from a variety of pop and crossover acts shaping a diverse autumn release slate. Expect artist-led tours and curated listening events as the season unfolds.
Alternative classics: Björk, Morrissey and Suede return
Björk takes center stage with Fossora, an album born from personal loss yet grounded in bold, exploratory soundscapes. The record title nods to digging into the past, and the music explores deeply personal terrain with fearless experimentation. Parallel to this, Serpentwithfeet, a New York-based experimental musician, teams with Gabber Modus Operandi for a collaborative project titled Operandi, promising a tense, intimate sonic experience. A fall release is anticipated, though a firm date has not yet been announced.
The late-year line-up also includes Morrissey with Bonfire of the Young, a set inspired by past upheavals and cultural moments. Suede follows with Autofiction, described as a potent return to the band’s signature style. Pixies are poised to share Doggerel on September 30. Other notable entries for the season include Dominique A with Le monde réel, The Afghan Whigs with How do you burn, Death Cab for Cutie’s Asphalt Meadows, Editors’ EBM project, Beth Orton’s Weather live, and Lambchop. Muse teased People’s Will recently, and October brings Car from Arctic Monkeys and other surprises that keep the autumn music calendar buzzing.
Legends: Revisiting Lou Reed and Leonard Cohen
Lou Reed’s catalog receives expanded attention with Words & Music, a May 1965 collection that reunites unreleased recordings made with John Cale prior to The Velvet Underground. A prominent tribute is planned for October 14 with contributions from Leonard Cohen, Peter Gabriel, Iggy Pop, and Norah Jones, celebrating Reed’s enduring influence. A new anthology by Marianne Faithfull titled Songs of Innocence and Experience appears on September 16, collecting material from 1965 to 1995 along with rarities and live performances. Brian Eno adds a project, Forever and Ever No More, set for release on October 14, driven by climate-themed motifs. The Beatle family sees Julian Lennon returning with Jude after an 11-year gap on September 9, while Ringo Starr unveils a fresh EP, EP3, on November 18.
Looking further back in the tradition, the season also features a retrospective of classic collaborations and tributes, underscoring how evergreen these names remain in listeners’ playlists and in music history discussions.
Hard rock and metal: a renewed push for Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are gaining momentum ahead of Under the Night Sun, their second LP of the year, scheduled for release on October 14. The album draws on material from the same sessions that produced Unlimited Love, continuing the band’s late-era momentum. A few other veteran acts are delivering new material as well, including The Cult, who return with Under the Midnight Sun after a six-year hiatus. Other hard rock veterans—Ozz y Osbourne, Megadeth, Slipknot, and Lamb of God—are all advancing new projects or reissues in the fall, keeping heavy music vibrant and varied for fans.
Overall, the season promises a robust slate of rock and metal offerings that balance nostalgia with fresh, contemporary energy.
Spaniards: Zahara expands its Whore and Bandini lengthens
Macaco returns this September with Vuélame el corazón and collaborates with C. Tangana, Leiva, and Ana Mena on new material. Zahara unveils Reputa on September 23, following her acclaimed Puta from 2021, with a diverse set of guests from Rodrigo Cuevas to La Oreja de Van Gogh contributing. Manuel Carrasco is also anticipated to release new work before year’s end. The autumn schedule includes Taburete with Caminito a Matadero on September 30, Elefantes with Scraps / Strange Things on October 7, and Mägo de Oz presenting Love and Oz Vol 2 on October 21. The indie scene is buzzing as Sr. returns with a project and Camela teases a techno-rumba blend. Chinarro reappears with Reality Show on October 28, and Viva Sweden along with Rigoberta Bandini are expected to close 2022 with renewed energy. In Catalan, Pau Vallvé offers a cheerful new release while Ernest Crusats prepares his debut as a former La Iaia member, La font gelada. The fall calendar reflects a broad spectrum of Spanish-language and regional artists continuing to push creative boundaries.