New releases from Kelly Clarkson, Chris Brown, and Weezer lead a crowded field of new albums, arriving beginning Friday, October 27.

The final Friday of October 2017 has arrived, and it is chocked-full of new music.  After Friday, October 20 was top-heavy with the release of Flicker by Niall Horan, Friday, October 27 is ‘heavy’ all around.  Leading the charge of new albums this week are the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Chris Brown, Weezer, and many more.

1. Kelly Clarkson, Meaning of Life

RCA

Kelly Clarkson returns after a two-year hiatus with Meaning of Life.  Meaning of Life serves as a follow up her 2015, gold-certified album, Piece by Piece. Comprised of 14 tracks, singles “Love So Soft,” “Move You,” and “Meaning of Life” were issued in advance of the effort.  Meaning of Life is all Kelly Clarkson – there are no guest features.

2. Chris Brown, Heartbreak on a Full Moon

RCA

(October 31)

The bad boy is back – Chris Brown.  After a two-year hiatus, he returns with a double album, Heartbreak on a Full Moon.  Heartbreak on a Full Moon, which follows up Royalty (2015), arrives as a purposeful off-cycle release on Halloween (Tuesday, October 31).  Comprised of 34 tracks, Numerous singles, including “Privacy,” “Questions,” “Party,” Ft. Usher & Gucci Mane, “Pills & Automobiles,” Ft. Yo Gotti, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie & Kodak Black, and “High End,” were issued in advance of the album.  Other featured guests include Jhéne Aiko, R. Kelly, DeJ Loaf, Lil Yachty, A1, Ty Dolla $ign, and Verse Simmons.

3. Weezer, Pacific Daydream 

Atlantic

Some bands seem to fade and lose interest in recording new music past their prime. Weezer isn’t one of those bands.  While their popularity and relevance have diminished over the years, the alt-rockers continue to be prolific. Once more, Rivers Cuomo and company return with a new album, Pacific Daydream. Comprised of 10 tracks, singles “Mexican Fender,” “Beach Boys,” “Feels Like Summer,” “Weekend Woman,” and “Happy Hour” arrived in advance of the album.

4. Big K.R.I.T., 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time 

BMG Rights Management

Old-school, Mississippi rapper Big K.R.I.T. returns with his third studio album, 4eva is a Mighty Long Time.  4eva is a Mighty Long Time marks the southern MC’s first independently released studio album, following two albums for Def Jam (Live from the Underground and Cadillactica). A double album, 4eva is a Mighty Long Time is comprised of 22 tracks, including singles “Confetti,” “Keep the devil Off,” and “Aux Cord.”  

5. Kenny Chesney, Live in No Shoes Nation

Sony Nashville 

49-year old Kenny Chesney returns with a new live album, Live in No Shoes Nation. Live in No Shoes arrives a year after Chesney’s last studio album, Cosmic Hallelujah.  The double album is comprised of 29 songs. Single “Young” was released ahead in of the album.

6. Ty Dolla $ign, Beach House 3

Atlantic 

Ty Dolla $ign returns with his proper sophomore album, Beach House 3.  At this point, Ty’s career has been interesting, featuring EPs, mixtapes, and prior to Beach House 3, one studio album (Free TC, 2015).  Comprised of 20 tracks, Numerous singles arrived in advance of Beach House 3: “Love U Better,” Ft. Lil Wayne & The-Dream, “Ex,” Ft. YG, “Dawsin’s Breek,” Ft. Jeremih, “So Am I,” Ft. Damian Marley & Skrillex, and “Message in a Bottle.”

7. Granger Smith, When the Good Guys Win

Wheelhouse 

Country musician Granger Smith has been around for a while, with his recording career beginning at 19.  Even so, Smith has experienced a quiet career as a recording artist.  He returns with When the Good Guys Win, an album that arrives more than year after his 2016 album, Remington. Comprised of 14 tracks, singles “You’re in It,” “Happens Like That,” “Still Holds Up,” and “When the Good Guys Win” were issued in advance of the album.

8. Theory of a Deadman, Wake Up Call

Roadrunner

Canadian rock band Theory of a Deadman returns with its sixth studio album, Walk Up Call.  Wake Up Call arrives three years after their previous effort, Savages (2014).  Comprised of 11 tracks, singles “Rx (Medicate),” “Echoes,” and “Wake Up Call” were issued in advance of the album.

9. Yelawolf, Trial by Fire

Interscope

Countrified, southern rapper Yelawolf returns with his third major label studio album, Trial by Fire.  Trial by Fire arrives two years after Love Story (2015). Comprised of 14 tracks, five singles were issued in advance of Trial by Fire: “Shadows,” Ft. Joshua Hedley, “Get Mine,” Ft. Kid Rock, “Daylight,” “Punk,” Ft. Travis Barker & Juicy J, and “Row Your Boat.” Besides the aforementioned guests, Bones Owens, Lee Brice, and Wynonna Judd also make appearances.

10. Hollywood Undead, Five

BMG Rights Management 

Cali rap-rock band Hollywood Undead returns with its fifth studio album, appropriately titled Five.  Five arrives two years after the band’s previous effort, Day of the Dead (2015).  Comprised of 14 tracks, singles “California Dreaming,” “Whatever It Takes,” “Renegade,” and “We Own the Night” arrived in advance of the album.

11. Yo Gotti, I Still Am

Epic 

Memphis rapper Yo Gotti joins a crowded list of new releases with his latest studio album, I Still Am.  I Still Am serves as the follow up to his 2016 album, The Art of Hustle, which spawned hit single, “Down in the DM.” I Still Am already has a hit of its own in “Rake It Up” featuring Nicki Minaj.  In addition to “Rake It Up,” single “Juice” was issued in advance of the album. Chris Brown, Meek Mill, and 21 Savage are among guests.

12. Rachel Platten, Waves

Columbia 

Low on the totem pole, at least this particular week, Rachel Platten follows up her 2016 album, Wildfire, with Waves.  Despite a lack of buzz, Platten does have hope, thanks to the previous successes of singles “Fight Song” and “Stand by You.” “Stand by You” appeared on our playlist of Songs That’ll Make You Stand Up (Or Nah) at no. 4.  Comprised of 13 tracks, singles “Perfect for You,” “Collide,” and “Broken Glass” were issued in advance of the album. There are no guest features on Waves.

Other Releases:

112, Q Mike Slim Daron, The Piano Guys, Christmas Together; Majid Jordan, The Space Between; Red, Gone; Ninja Sex Party, Under the Covers, Vol. II; SOJA, Poetry in Motion; 10 Years, (how to live) AS GHOSTS; The Used, The Canyon; Gregory Porter, Nat “King” Cole & Me; Lee Ann Womack, The Lonely, The Lonesome & The Gone;

Photo Credits: Atlantic, RCA, BMG Rights Management, Blue Chair, Wheelhouse, Roadrunner, Shady, Epic