Arcade Fire owns the distinction of having the most coveted new music album on July 28, 2017 with ‘Everything Now.’

July is gone already? Where did the time go? July 28, 2017 marks the final Friday and final new music release day in July 2017.  July 21, 2017 was by far the crème de la crème, featuring multiple notable new releases courtesy of Lana Del Rey (Lust for Life), Meek Mill (Wins & Losses), and Tyler, the Creator (Flower Boy).  This week isn’t nearly as decorated, but any time a new Arcade Fire album arrives (Everything Now), it’s kind of a big deal.  Joining the Canadian alt-rock band is Aminé, Manchester Orchestra, and Vic Mensa to name a few.

1. Arcade Fire, Everything Now

Alternative darlings Arcade Fire returns with its fifth studio album, Everything Now.  Everything Now arrives four years after Reflektor, a double album released in October 2013.  Everything Now is comprised of 13 tracks, with four singles released prior to the album: “Everything Now,” “Signs of Life,” “Creature Comfort,” and “Electric Blue.”

2. Aminé, Good for You

Portland, Oregon rapper Aminé arrives with his debut album, Good for You.  Aminé gained a following after highly successful single, “Caroline,” which is one of 15 tracks that appear on Good for You. In addition to “Caroline,” Four other singles were issued prior to the album: “Wedding Crashers” (featuring Offset), “Turf,” “Blinds,” and “Heebiejeebies” (featuring Kehlani). In addition to Offset and Kehlani, featured guests include Ty Dolla $ign, Nelly, and Charlie Wilson.

3. Manchester Orchestra, A Black Mile to the Surface

Alt-rock band Manchester Orchestra returns with its fifth studio album, A Black Mile to the Surface.  Surface follows the band’s 2014 effort, Cope, which debuted at no. 13 on the Billboard 200.  Comprised of 11 songs, three singles were released ahead of the album: “The Gold,” “The Moth,” and “The Alien.” Interestingly, save for one song, all selections on A Black Mile to the Surface begin with “The.”

4. Vic Mensa, The Autobiography

Vince Staples arrives with his debut album, The Autobiography via Roc Nation.  Some big names appear on The Autobiography, including Weezer, The-Dream, and Pharrell Williams.  Comprised of 15 tracks, four singles were issued ahead of the album: “Rollin’ Like a Stoner,” “Wings” (featuring Pharrell Williams & Saul Williams), “Rage,” and “Omg” (featuring Pusha T).

5. The Isley Brothers & Santana, Power of Peace

The Isley Brothers and Santana join forces for Power of Peace.  For Ronald Isley, it marks his first new album since This Song is for You, which arrived in 2013.  For the Isley Brothers as a group, it marks the first project since Baby Makin’ Music (2006), which was essentially a Ronald Isley solo project.  Santana released Santana IV in 2016.  Comprised of 13 tracks, four singles arrived in advance of the album: “Are You Ready,” “Total Destruction of Your Mind,” “I Remember,” and “What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love.”

6. Anthony Brown & group therAPy, A Long Way from Sunday

Anthony Brown & group therAPy return with their third album, A Long Way from Sunday.  A Long Way from Sunday follows 2015 effort, Everyday Jesus.  Comprised of 14 tracks, three singles were issued in advance of the album: “Everytime” (featuring Jonathan McReynolds & Travis Greene), “Trust in You,” and “Never Alone.” In addition to guest appearances from Jonathan McReynolds and Travis Greene, Le’Andria Johnson appears on penultimate track, “Consumed.”

7. Joe Nichols, Never Gets Old

40-year old country singer Joe Nichols returns with his first new album in four years, Never Gets Old.  Arguably, Nichols’ most relevant album came back in 2005 with III, featuring the hit “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off.”  Never Gets Old follows up 2013 effort, Crickets.  Comprised of 12 songs, six arrived ahead of the album: “Diamonds Make Babies,” “We All Carry Something,” “I’d Sing About You,” “Never Gets Old,” “Billy Graham’s Bible,” and “So You’re Saying.”

8. Alice Cooper, Paranormal

Veteran rocker Alice Cooper returns with Paranormal, his first new studio album in six years.  Paranormal follows Welcome 2 My Nightmare, which was released in September 2011.  Comprised of 18 tracks, single “Paranoiac Personality” was released in advance of the album’s release.  A second single, “Paranormal,” featuring Roger Glover, arrived later, still in advance of the project. Besides Glover, the only other featured guest is Billy Gibbons (“Fallen in Love”).

Other New Releases:

Cage the Elephant, Unpeeled; Logan Mize, Come Back Road; Shaman’s Harvest, Red Hands Black Deeds; Stephen Christian, Wildfires, Nichole Nordeman, Every Mile Mattered

Photo Credits: Columbia, Republic, Loma Vista, Roc Nation, Sony, Tyscot, Red Bow