With a host of new albums scheduled to drop and fresh off the surprising release of Kamikaze, music fans of all genres can look forward to an exciting September.
First up was indie artist Russ. After releasing singles “The Flute Song” and “Serious,” on September 7th, Russ released Zoo, the follow up record to his platinum debut There’s Really a Wolf. Russ collaborated with producer and songwriter Scott Storch on “The Flute Song,” and more collaborations between the two are featured on the album.
YBN released their new mixtape, YBN: The Mixtape, the same day. The rap collective is composed of 10 members, two of whom, YBN Nahmir and YBN Cordae, are fresh off of their releases “No Relations” and “Scottie Pippen” (respectively).
Both Paul McCartney and Paul Simon released new music on September 7th. McCartney released his 17th studio solo album Egypt Station, his first new music in five years. Singles “I Don’t Know” and “Come On to Me” were released on June 20. Paul Simon (formerly the first half of Simon and Garfunkel) dropped In the Blue Light, an album composed of a reworking of 10 previously released songs.
The following Friday (September 14), 6lack will release East Atlantic Love Letter, the follow up to his 2016 album FREE 6LACK. 6lack dropped “Nonchalant” on August 17, but it is unknown whether or not it will appear on the album.
In the jazz world, September 14 marks the release of Wayne Shorter’s album Emanon, and Tony Bennett and Diana Krall’s Love is Here to Stay. Ten-time Grammy winner Wayne Shorter’s Emanon (“no name” backwards) was featured in DownBeat Magazine’s September edition, and is composed of music performed by Wayne Shorter on soprano and tenor sax, Danilo Pérez on piano, John Patitucci on bass, and Brian Blade on drums. The record coincides with an original graphic novel that mirrors the themes of the four movements. Legendary vocalists Tony Bennett and Diana Krall’s new album drops on Bennet’s 92nd birthday.
Country fans will be excited to hear Carrie Underwood is releasing her new album Cry Pretty the same day.
The last Friday of the month will feature hip-hop pioneers Cypress Hill’s return with Elephants on Acid, and Logic’s fourth installment of Young Sinatra, entitled Young Sinatra 4.
Although the release date is not specified, BROCKHAMPTON announced that their 4th studio album Iridescence will be released sometime in September. The album follows 2017’s Saturation III and a slew of singles including “1997 Diana,” and is the band’s first album since the exit of Ameer Vann, who was accused of sexual misconduct and abuse by multiple women.
From Russ to McCartney to Shorter, September promises to be an innovative month for music.
By Xander Davies ’19