In case you are wondering about potential CD purchases for the upcoming months, I have compiled a list of five albums for which you should keep an eye out over the next few months. Most of the albums here have at least one single available somewhere online, so you can find everything you need here to make an educated purchase.
5. The Afters “Light Up The Sky”
Release Date: Sept. 14, 2010
After a lineup change and a few years of touring, The Afters are back to spread more pop-rock. The Afters act as a Christian rock band, but don’t let that scare you away. The band discusses topics relatable across belief systems and brings exceptional songwriting chops along with it. The Afters have won a multitude of Dove awards but are still underrated in comparison to artists like Chris Tomlin and Casting Crowns.
Give them a listen and check out their new single, “Light Up The Sky” at http://www.theafters.com.
4. Big Boi “Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty”
Release Date: July 6,2010
The Outkast member releases a new CD within the coming weeks to hopefully make up for the fact we are not hearing any new material with bandmate Andre 3000. The new album’s potential is based off of Big Boi’s reputation of having a catchy sputtering to his rhymes and making everything flow over solid beats. Big Boi’s single, “Shutterbugg” is a great song to get a taste of what’s to come on the new album.
Check out new material from Big Boi at his MySpace.
3. M.I.A. “// / Y /” or “Maya”
Release Date: July 13, 2010
“Paper Planes” is starting to yellow at the edges, after radio stations continuously overplayed it. The British popster brings her quirky electronic and ethnic-fused pop to the radio once more with some new songs. Her new single, “XXXO,” is a mainstream ditty to get you hot and bothered while slinging your head back to the boom of the bass drum.
Check out M.I.A.’s new material at her MySpace.
2. Anberlin “Dark is the Way, Light is the Place”
Release Date: Sept. 21, 2010
The alternative rock band from Winter Park, Fla., has continued to make better albums with each new release. The quintet’s epic 2007 release, “Cities,” landed them a major record deal with Universal Republic Records for their solid 2008 follow-up, “New Surrender.” With soaring vocals, thunderous drums and luscious hard rock guitar riffs, Anberlin will hopefully continue to pump out awesome hits like “Feel Good Drag” and “Breaking.”
Catch up on Anberlin’s newest material at their MySpace, or purchase “New Surrender” at Amazon.com
1. Maroon 5 “Hands All Over”
Release Date: Sept. 21, 2010
It’s been three years since the quintet released their smash sophomore record, “It Won’t Be Soon Before Long.” The new single, “Misery,” was released on iTunes Tuesday, and the sound is the same funked-tinged pop. Go check out the new single now. Robert John “Mutt” Lange acts as producer on the album, the brainchild producer for many classic rock artists like AC/DC and Def Leppard. Let’s hope the band soaks up some of Lange’s greatness in order to create another fascinating pop album.
Check out their new single, “Misery,” at their MySpace.
