It’s autumn, and Frank Ocean’s album is still nowhere to be found.
The album is rumored to drop before the end of 2015, possibly in the fall. Regardless, this season still holds the releases of highly anticipated records from Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Adele, who has not released an LP since 2011. It may also be the season of conclusion for Coldplay and One Direction, with the release of their albums “A Head Full of Dreams” and “Made In The A.M.”, respectively. For indie music enthusiasts that are looking to expand their taste, indie-folk band Wild Child’s “Fools” is an upcoming album to watch out for.
“Fools”
Wild Child
Dualtone Records
Oct. 2
Wild Child gave new life to folk music with its 2011 debut album “Pillow Talk,” which meshed mellow tones with light, upbeat, lovesick ballads. With the release of its second album, “The Runaround,” however, the Austin, Texas-based indie folk band caught up with contemporaries by incorporating more synthesized melodies into its original raw sound.
The single, “Bullets,” off its upcoming album “Fools,” indicates Wild Child’s continuing progression into the realm of rock, even though the title track confirms that the band won’t stray too far from its folksy roots. Kelsey Wilson, the band’s co-lead singer and songwriter, said breaking her engagement of five years jolted her songwriting process. “It was the first time that I’d ever had writer’s block,” Wilson said on Wild Child’s official website. “Then Bobby and I separated. Within a week, all of the lyrics just came out.”
TBD
Adele
XL Recordings
November
To say that Adele’s new album is anticipated is an understatement.
After “Someone Like You” and “Rolling in the Deep” took over the radio, Adele has remained quiet in the music scene for four years. Her hit-packed album “21,” chronicling her heartbreak and romantic relationship, won the Grammy award for Album of the Year in 2012. This fall, the jazzy singer-songwriter is slated to make a comeback with her third studio album, which she has hinted to be called “25.”
Adele has reportedly collaborated with producers Danger Mouse and Max Martin. The singer has yet to reveal any big details regarding her album, but if her previous albums were any indication, the album will be personal, possibly giving a glimpse into her life as a mother.
“Made In the A.M.”
One Direction
Columbia Records
Nov. 13
One Direction worked on its forthcoming album, “Made In the A.M.”, soon after Zayn Malik left the band. His leaving strongly reverberated on social media, but his absence is easy to miss in the album’s single “Infinity.”
Even without Malik’s distinctive voice, “Infinity” sounds like a typical One Direction song – catchy, but uninspired. The song only proves that the boy band is pigeonholed in factory-manufactured pop.
The track is a love song, of course, like every song by the group, but it is also a promise to its loyal and passionate fans. After the release of the album, the group confirmed that it will go on hiatus. With “Infinity” and perhaps the album, the band will be with its fans even though the band is not together.
TBD
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Macklemore LLC
Release date TBD
To follow the success of its 2013 album “The Heist,” Seattle-based hip-hop duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis confirmed the release of an unnamed album before the end of 2015. Although the release date and album name have not been announced yet, the first single, “Downtown,” and its music video, have been released.
Beginning with a piano progression and quickly transitioning into a cheeky melody and beat, “Downtown” traverses realms of hip-hop and rock. The song references seemingly obscure themes such as moped shopping in a charming manner, reminiscent of the duo’s 2012 hit, “Thrift Shop.”
Macklemore also released “Growing Up (Sloane’s Song)” in August shortly after the birth of his first child. In an interview with Amp Radio, Macklemore said although the fatherly tone he adopted in “Growing Up” won’t be present in the rest of the album, the birth of his daughter has inspired him to work harder.
“A Head Full of Dreams”
Coldplay
Atlantic Records
Release date TBD
Coldplay has serenaded sold-out stadiums, topped charts and received critical acclaim for its music in its 19-year run. Its move from the indie to the mainstream music scene was also a success. But with its seventh full-length album, “A Head Full of Dreams,” the band might be calling it quits. Frontman Chris Martin hinted at the disbandment, telling BBC Radio that he is considering the album to be a final project. For the album, Martin said the band aimed for a colorful and uplifting tone in contrast to its somber “Ghost Stories.” Coldplay might be splitting up, but it is leaving fans with a sense of optimism.
On “O,” the last song on “Ghost Stories,” an angelic choir resounds over an atmospheric landscape after 15 seconds of silence. The song somehow reflects Coldplay’s shift in sound for its latest album: a sound of positivity on the horizon after tones of solemness.
“Speedin’ Bullet to Heaven”
Kid Cudi
Republic Records, Wicked Awesome Records
Release date TBD
To the dismay of fans that have been anticipating the third part to his “Man on the Moon” series, Kid Cudi will put out an interim before the release of “Man on the Moon III.” Telling fans he needed to takethe time to work on the third installment, Kid Cudi said “Speedin’ Bullet to Heaven” could abate enthusiasm for the musical trilogy for the time being.
Kid Cudi has confirmed there would be no synths or electronic sounds on the album. The record, which Cudi described as “100% the purest form of my artistic self,” will embrace the bass guitar, electric guitar and drums. Although Cudi’s voice still distinctly drones in a familiar manner, the presence of the electric guitar in his single “Confused” is enough to mistake Cudi for a rock artist. Cudi has dedicated the record to individuals struggling with mental illness around the world.
– Gail Acosta and Emaan Baqai