USA TODAY International Edition
Albums to fire up your August playlist
Are you still crying to “Folklore?” If you’re anything like us, you’ve had Taylor Swift’s alternative- pop masterpiece on repeat ever since she surprise released it July 24, successfully destroying what little was left of us emotionally. The album made a historic bow on the charts this past week, debuting at No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Hot 100 ( with heart- tugging lead single “Cardigan”).
But if turtlenecks are more your style – or you simply want some fresh tunes – there’s plenty of new music coming down the pike this month. From snarling rock anthems to dance- floor- ready bops, here are the 10 albums that should be on your radar this month.
Deep Purple, ‘ Whoosh!’ ( released Friday)
For 21st studio album “Whoosh!”, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers teamed up once again with producer Bob Ezrin ( Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd), with the halfjoking goal of “putting the Deep back in Purple,” the band said in a statement. Written and recorded in Nashville, the album tackles timely subjects of an uncertain future (“Throw My Bones”) and “demented” politicians (“No Need to Shout”).
Glass Animals, ‘ Dreamland’ ( released Friday)
No artist right now is creating, well, dreamier music than British band Glass Animals, which broke out stateside in 2014 with vibey bedroom pop songs “Black Mambo” and “Gooey.” Third album “Dreamland” finds lead singer/ producer Dave Bayley more introspective and adventurous, admitting vulnerability on the upbeat “Heat Waves” and invoking ’ 90s nostalgia on the psychedelic “Space Ghost Coast to Coast.”
Dua Lipa, ‘ Club Future Nostalgia: The Remix Album’ ( Aug. 21)
Earlier this year, Dua Lipa helped usher in pop’s disco resurgence with “Future Nostalgia,” her confident and
captivating sophomore effort. Now, the best- new- artist Grammy winner is gifting us “Club Future Nostalgia: The Remix Album,” featuring a reworked version of “Levitating” with Madonna and Missy Elliott, a new “Physical” with Gwen Stefani and Mark Ronson, as well as other surprise guests.
The Killers, ‘ Imploding the Mirage’ ( Aug. 21)
Like countless other albums, The Killers’ “Imploding the Mirage” was delayed due to the COVID- 19 pandemic. ( Anthemic lead single “Caution” was released in early March, just as U. S. cities were going into lockdown.) But now the Las Vegas rockers are set to unleash their sixth studio effort, although it’ll be singer Brandon Flowers’ first without co- founder/ guitarist Dave Keuning, who is on hiatus from the band. The new music also arrives amid sexual misconduct allegations against the group’s 2009 touring crew, which lawyers say were “entirely unfounded” following an internal investigation.
Lecrae, ‘ Restoration’ ( Aug. 21)
Lecrae is one of the few Christian hip- hop artists to break through to the mainstream, debuting at No. 1 on the
Billboard 200 in 2014 with his expertly crafted “Anomaly.” Now an independent artist after leaving Columbia Records last spring, Lecrae will release ninth studio album “Restoration” on his label, Reach Records. The album takes on issues of mental health and police brutality, and features a powerful collaboration with John Legend called “Drown.” It will also be accompanied by a documentary ( out Aug. 14) and book ( out Oct. 13).
Troye Sivan, ‘ In a Dream’ ( Aug. 21)
Aside from Taylor Swift, no artist has better captured our quarantine blues than Troye Sivan, who returns with his first new solo music since 2018’ s exceptional “Bloom.” “Take Yourself Home,” the lead single off his six- song “In a Dream” EP, achingly captures feelings of loneliness and finding solace in family (“If I’m gonna die, let’s die somewhere pretty,” he sings). And on the sweet and sensual “Rager Teenager!,” the 25- yearold writes a letter to his younger self.
Angel Olsen, ‘ Whole New Mess’ ( Aug. 28)
More than any other album released last year, we keep coming back to Angel Olsen’s moody triumph “All Mirrors,” a sweeping and atmospheric reflection on romance and resilience. Recorded in a converted Catholic church, this new album features woozy, stripped- back reimaginations of “All Mirrors” standouts including “New Love Cassette” and “Lark,” as well as the haunting new title track “Whole New Mess.”
Disclosure, ‘ Energy’ ( Aug. 28)
Brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence ( of U. K. electronic duo Disclosure) reached for the stars on their last two albums, delivering hot collaborations with Sam Smith (“Latch”), Lorde (“Magnets”), The Weeknd (“Nocturnal”) and Mary J. Blige (“F for You”).
Their third album, “Energy,” features a decidedly more eclectic and international roster of featured artists, from Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara on the buoyant “Douha ( Mali Mali),” to Cameroonian artist Blick Bassy on the lush “Ce N’est Pas.”
Katy Perry, ‘ Smile’ ( Aug. 28)
After her rocky “Witness” rollout in 2017, which was marred by low- performing singles and a bizarre promotional push, Katy Perry is looking to get her “Smile” back with her sixth studio album.
The music was inspired in part by her struggles with depression and finding happiness again, with new song “What Makes a Woman” dedicated to the nowpregnant pop star’s future daughter ( with fiancé Orlando Bloom). The album’s singles so far have been a mixed bag ( with the exception of “Never Really Over,” one of her best songs ever), although Perry’s next- level quarantine performances give us hope for an exciting era ahead.
Toni Braxton, ‘ Spell My Name’ ( Aug. 28)
Nearly 30 years into her music career, Toni Braxton is still as hot as ever. Her stirring “Do It” with longtime collaborator Babyface was the most- added song at adult R& B radio when it was released in April, and also became the highest radio chart debut of her solo career. The song is the lead single off her 10th studio album, “Spell My Name,” which also features euphoric new disco anthem “Dance.”