This week in album news, Sienna Skies release their fourth album with new vocalist, Justice return after a five year hiatus and AFI are back with the angsty alternative rock you love and remember…
NEW GEN
As far as musical collaboration projects go, New Gen have set the bar pretty high. Comprised of a bunch of talented musicians from London’s underground music scene, New Gen are due to release their self-titled collaborative debut November 25th through XL Recordings/Remote Control. With up to 17 musicians on board, including Stormzy, Avelino, Nines and Ray BLK, this expansive project is creating a sound that encapsulates London’s brewing urban music scene. Drawing on influences from reggae and soul, to hip-hop and grime, New Gen are defining a new generation of producers, mixers and writers.
SIENNA SKIES
Sydneysiders Sienna Skies have announced their return with a fourth studio album, A Darker Shade Of Truth, out December 2nd. The boys have offered an explosive first taste of the record with the lead single “Divided”, with pre-orders available through siennaskies.bigcartel.com and invoguerecords.com. This will be the band’s first album with vocalist Thomas Pirozzie, who brings a whole lot of energy and commitment to the band’s take on anthemic heavy-rock.
JUSTICE
French disco legends Justice are just a few weeks away from releasing Woman, their first album in five years, due November 18th. Inspired to create something along the lines of a sci-fi gospel album, the duo are set to tantilise the senses and get every booty boppin’ to some frothy disco beats. This is set to be a melting pot of oozing slap-bass and 80’s synths, as well as a feature from the London Contemporary Orchestra and Choir, helping out on at least seven or eight tracks. Check out the tracklist below, there’s bound to be at least two of your new favourite summer bangers in there:
01. Safe and Sound
02. Pleasure
03. Alakazam!
04. Fire
05. Stop
06. Chorus
07. Randy
08. Heavy Metal
09. Love S.O.S.
10. Close Call
JAPANDROIDS
After a three year break from performing, Canadian rockers Japandroids are well and truly back after a run of national gigs plus a return to Australia due this December. To top things off, the band’s third studio album Near To The Wild Heart Of Life will be dropping January 27th and is sure to quench the thirst Japandroid fans have endured since 2012. Like their previous records, the theory that every great rock and roll album is comprised of eight songs will inspire the duo’s upcoming release, set to be a triumphant return to the rock scene. Pre-order is available HERE, which includes a limited edition 7” b-side cover of Talking Heads’ “Love → Building on Fire”.
FOXYGEN
American indie-rock duo Foxygen are back with their new album and first proper studio record, Hang, out January 20th. With their uncanny skill in drawing on a collection of styles including pop, rock and garage, Foxygen have explored and rebuilt their brand of indie-rock through the form of four albums. The lead single from their upcoming release, “Follow The Leader”, shows the guys taking on a big band style this time round, bringing on board a 40-plus-piece-symphony orchestra for every. Track. It’s gunna be a good one. You can pre-order Hang HERE and check out the tracklist below:
1. Follow The Leader
2. Avalon
3. Mrs. Adams
4. America
5. On Lankershim
6. Upon A Hill
7. Trauma
8. Rise Up
AFI
Yep, all those emo/punk bands you gushed for back in 2006 are officially making their comebacks. One of the most iconic alternative rock bands from almost a decade ago, AFI, have rebooted their social media accounts and announced their tenth studio album, AFI (The Blood Album), due to be released January 20th. The band have released two singles from the upcoming release, “White Offerings” and “Snow Cat”, both keeping with AFI’s moody experimental-rock roots but offering a more refined execution. Pre-sale for AFI (The Blood Album) is available HERE.
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