SOUNDS OF THE SEASON
Kanye, Keith, Janet and even the elusive Adele have new releases this fall
Break time for a lot of musicians will end this fall.
An array of stars, who’ve spent long stretches away from the studio, will finally put themselves back in play over the next few months.
This season will see the first Janet Jackson album in nearly seven years (no exact date set yet), the first Don Henley solo outing in 15 (Sept. 25), as well as the first work under the name Keith Richards in more than two decades, “Crosseyed Heart” (Sept. 18).
Though not officially confirmed, a reliable source says the long tardy Adele will, at last, issue her first album since the mega-block-buster “21” nearly five years ago.
To boot, one of the most notorious bands of this century, The Libertines, have reunited with their once drug-addicted (now clean) leader Pete Doherty, resulting in their first work in 11 years, “Anthems for Doomed Youth” (out Sept. 4).
Henley’s aforementioned album connects to another fall trend: rockers going country. The Eagles founder’s new album, “Cass Country,” finds him harmonizing in Nashville with stars like Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride and more. Mirroring his move is Steven Tyler, who’s been recording on Music Row for a release to arrive by year’s end.
One ongoing trend looks to continue this fall — musical memoirs. Chrissie Hynde will publish her sure-to-be-witty tome Sept. 5, while Creedence Clearwater czar John Fogerty offers “Fortunate Son” Oct 6. Elvis Costello’s much anticipated book, “Unfaithful Music and Disappearing Ink,” appears Oct. 13.
Two of music’s top names — Kanye West and Rihanna — are likely to continue the “surprise” release trend. They’ve been suddenly dropping songs for nearly a year now, with the likely result of complete works out by Thanksgiving. Kanye has given his album the tentative title “Swish.”
Prince has already set in stone a tease of his latest, “HITNRUN.” It will appear exclusively on Tidal streaming Sept. 7.
The music industry’s escalating reliance on its back catalogue will also advance this fall. The Elvis Presley estate has green-lit “If I Can Dream,” which pairs vintage vocals from The King with rich arrangements from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. That ornate work arrives Oct. 30.
The Jimi Hendrix estate has its own big project — “Freedom,” surrounding the guitar god’s appearance at the Atlanta Pop Festival, which took place in 1970, three months before his death. Modeled after Woodstock, Atlanta’s fest drew even more fans, giving Hendrix the biggest live audience of his life. On Aug. 28, a double CD of his performance appears, followed by a documentary about it on Showtime, debuting Sept. 4, culminating in a DVD release of the doc Oct. 30.
The fall also promises the latest chapter in one of music’s longest traditions — Bond themes. Though it hasn’t yet been announced who will warble the latest ode to 007, rumors run from Ed Sheeran to Adele (who created one for “Skyfall” three years ago).
At the same time, fall will see the anointing of a new superstar: The Weeknd. The avant-R&B star’s new album, “Beauty Behind the Madness,” (Aug. 28), has the buzz to open at No. 1, where it’s likely to linger.
Veteran star Rod Stewart has a lot going on this season. His classic band, the Faces, puts out a box set Aug. 28. Then, there’s his own album of mainly self-penned songs, “Another Country,” out Oct. 23. Around the same time, Stewart’s stepson, Ashley Hamilton, will make his debut.
Much anticipation also surrounds blues-rocker Gary Clark Jr.’s first album (“The Story of Sonny Boy Jim,” out Sept. 11) since his breakthrough debut, as well as one from acerbic cult star John Grant, who will issue his third studio work Oct. 2. To boot, Craig Finn, of The Hold Steady, has an intriguing solo album coming this Sept. 11 which will address New York life since the most infamous Sept. 11.
Of course, it wouldn’t be fall without a release from One Direction. For the fifth November in a row, the boys will issue an album — this one with a twist. It’s their first of the post-Zayn Malik era. How teens will react to that will surely give this fall one of its top dramas.