Albums to Look Forward to in October
Summer was the perfect backdrop for upbeat tunes and sunshiny sentiments, but with the equinox now behind us, it’s finally time to embrace fall to its fullest extent.
This time of year is all about giving in to something a little more moody, dark, gritty, sultry, and sensitive. On the roster this month we’ve got fresh, angsty pub rock and experimental post-punk, a bit of bittersweet indie and indie-folk, some sexy alt-pop, and dreamy electronic pop. In order of release, here are just a few of the albums we’re looking forward to hearing this month.
Watch the music video for "ahhhh!hhhh! (i don't wanna go) on YouTube.
cumgirl8 - the 8th cumming - Oct. 4
The NYC-based avant-garde post-punk band is gearing up to release their sophomore album, the 8th cumming, in just a few days. Members Veronika Vilim (guitar), Avishag Rodrigues (guitar), Chase Lombardo (drums), and Lida Fox (bass), began cumgirl8 in 2019 as an outlet for their pent up frustrations. The band admits their name is clickbait, meant to lure you in with its intentionally provocative name and imagery and then radicalize you with the sentiments expressed in their lyrics. Sonically, cumgirl8 takes the form of dance-punk, electro rock, dark disco, and alt rock throughout their discography. The members’ eccentric and experimental fashion plays a huge role in the band’s messaging, with several of them having previously worked as models for luxury brands. This upcoming release will be their first official studio album under the independent label 4AD. The band released singles “Karma Police” and “ahhhh!hhhh! (i don’t wanna go) in August and September, respectively, in preparation for the Oct. 4 release of the album.
bôa - Whiplash - Oct. 18
Perhaps prompted by the TikTok success of their 1998 track, “Duvet,” British alt-rock band bôa has re-emerged with the announcement of their third studio album, Whiplash, set to release on the 18th. The band is fronted by vocalist and guitarist, Jasmine Rodgers, with Alex Caird on bass and guitar and Lee Sullivan on drums. After a period of inactivity, bôa now finds themselves surrounded by a new generation of fans who repopularized their prior releases. As a result, they’ve signed a deal with Nettwerk Music Group to work on giving the new listeners more to indulge in.
Kelly Lee Owens - Dreamstate - Oct. 18
Kelly Lee Owens’s complex electronic production, skillful songwriting, and warm vocals are the sound of pure euphoria. One listen of her latest single, “Love You Got,” will instantly corroborate her status as a renowned figure in the industry. Having collaborated with visionary artists St. Vincent and Björk, Kelly Lee Owens has already solidified herself as a force in the electronic space. If the singles released thus far tell us anything, it’s that this upcoming album is postured to be her most intricate project yet. Dreamstate comes out on the 18th via dh2, George Daniel’s new electronic music imprint under The 1975’s label, Dirty Hit.
Watch the music video for "Anything For You" on YouTube.
Jordana - Lively Premonition - Oct. 18
Summer may be over, but the warmth of Jordana’s latest single, “Anything For You,” argues otherwise. Her upcoming album, Lively Premonition, is set for release on the 18th, and promises a range of new sounds for the indie artist. Shimmering vocals, fiddle-laced accompaniment, and bright guitars across the album’s three singles hint at a shift in sound for the self-described chameleon. Lively Premonition will be her first full-length project in two years, and will be released via Grand Jury Music.
Bon Iver - SABLE, - Oct. 18
Justin Vernon, also known as world renowned indie folk artist Bon Iver, will release his long awaited album, SABLE,, on the 18th. This will be his first release in 5 years and with just a 3-song track list, this album is the inevitable breakdown resulting from years of accumulated pressure. The monumental success Vernon has seen in his career is dependent on, and even rewards, his expression of sadness. In SABLE, Vernon is expected to demonstrate a new kind of vulnerability, one that reveals the inner turmoil of his relationship with being a successful artist.
Beach Weather - Melt - Oct. 25
Alt-pop band Beach Weather is ready to follow up their debut album, Pineapple Sunrise, with their sophomore album, Melt, coming out on the 25th. Their recent single, “Hardcore Romance” is a sexy proclamation of feelings, expressing a desperate desire to move an undefined relationship forward. The lead single, “High In Low Places,” is reminiscent of The Neighbourhood back in their Tumblr heyday. By the sounds of it, we can expect more dark, groovy, and lovesick ballads on Melt.
Soccer Mommy - Evergreen - Oct. 25
Nashville indie artist Soccer Mommy will release her fourth studio album, Evergreen, on the 25th. Born Sophia Regina Allison, Soccer Mommy has been a staple in indie music for years now, with her song “circle the drain” being named 59th in Pitchfork’s The 100 Best Songs of the 2020s So Far. Evergreen is said to be Allison’s return to her roots, leaning into acoustic production without the synthesizers or digital embellishments present in past projects. The subject matter deals in part with grief and Allison’s experience losing someone close to them. Her latest single, “Driver”, is a compelling, more upbeat track about her tendency to have her head in the clouds. It doubles as an ode to the person who is always along for the ride anyway.
Watch the music video for "Big Dreams" on YouTube.
Amyl and The Sniffers - Cartoon Darkness - Oct. 25
Australian pub rock band Amyl and The Sniffers are set to release their highly anticipated new album, Cartoon Darkness, on the 25th. Amyl being the Australian slang term for poppers (amyl nitrate), the band’s character is as quirky as their name. Frontwoman Amy Taylor’s zany antics and unique voice have gained them quite the cult following, at just under 1 million monthly Spotify listeners. Her stage presence is undeniably palpable, prompting many to label her the female fill-in-the-blank 70s rock superstar. But Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins said it best, she’s not another version of anyone else, “she’s one of one,” and that’s what makes her a star. The upcoming release will be the band’s third studio album. Taylor describes it as “driving head first into the unknown, into this looming sketch of the future that feels terrible, but doesn’t even exist yet. A childlike darkness … The future is cartoon, the prescription is dark, but it’s novelty. It’s just a joke. It’s fun.” The band released singles “U Should Not Be Doing That,” “Chewing Gum,” and “Big Dreams” in recent months in preparation for the record’s October release.
