Music Shopping List: AFI & More

The return of AFI (AFI (The Blood Album)) marks the biggest new music release of a quiet January 20, 2017, release date. 

January 2017 continues to be a quiet month for fresh blood in stores, online, and on the charts.  Big-named new music is hard to come by in the cold winter of January, but AFI (AFI (The Blood Album)) manages to sneak one moderately high-profile name in the mix.  Still, unless Musical.ly star Jacob Sartorius is your cup of tea (or Kidz Bop for that matter), you may be spinning what’s already firmly planted in the music collection.

1. AFI, AFI (The Blood Album)

[Concord]

Sigh, it’s hard to believe that AFI have been around since the 1990s.  Alas, it’s true. The Cali band returns after a four-year hiatus (Burials) with AFI (The Blood Album).  AFI have experienced minor success over the years, earning two platinum-certified albums (Sing the Sorrow and decemberunderground).  Notably, decemberunderground debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard 200.  Four singles were released ahead of The Blood Album with “Snow Cats” drawing the most buzz.

• Tracks: 14
• Pre-Release Singles: “Aurelia,” “Get Hurt,” “Snow Cats” & “White Offerings”

2. Jacob Sartorius, The Last Text EP

[T3 Music Group]

The name Jacob Sartorius is a catalyst for sneers.  Not because the up-and-coming teen-pop star isn’t nice, but because many consider his instrument and material leaves more to be desired.  Nonetheless, Sartorius drops his debut EP, The Last Text.  Notably, his second single of note, “Hit or Miss” appears, as well as the title track and a remix of the infamous “Sweatshirt.”

• Tracks: 8
• Pre-Release Singles: “Last Text” & “Hit or Miss”

3. Starset, Vessels

[Concord]

Burgeoning rock collective Starset returns with sophomore album Vessels.  Vessels follows the band’s 2014 debut, Transmissions.  Both albums arrive via Razor & Tie (Concord).

• Tracks: 15
• Pre-Release Singles: “Back to Earth” & “Monster”

4. KIDZ BOP Kids, Kidz Bop 34

[Concord]

What more is there to say? The “Kids” keep on rolling out more Kidz Bop albums.

• Tracks: 14
• Pre-Release Singles: “24K Magic” & “The Greatest”

5) Bryan Lanning, Us

[Bryan Lanning]

Bryan Lanning represents a growing trend in the music industry – social networking and social media platforms fueling music careers. After releasing an EP in 2016 (Like a Lion), Lanning drops his independently released debut album, Us. Expectedly, wife Missy Lanning is among the guest list.

• Tracks: 14
• Featured Guests: Dia Frampton & Missy Lanning
• Pre-Release Singles: “We,” “Idaho” & “Games”

Photo Credits: Concord, T3 Music Group, Concord, Bryan Lanning