A$AP Ferg drops the biggest release of August 18, 2017 with ‘Still Striving.’ Grizzly Bear, Phora, Thy Art is Murder, and Steven Wilson drop new LPs. 

August 2017 has been a quiet month for new music. The biggest release to date comes courtesy of Kesha, who dropped her comeback album, Rainbow, August 11.  Otherwise, things have been low-key.  This week, that low-key sentiment continues.  The most notable release this week comes courtesy of A$AP Ferg, who drops his third studio album, Still Striving.  Joining Ferg are Grizzly Bear (Painted Ruins), Phora (Yours Truly Forever), Thy Art is Murder (Dear Desolation), and Steven Wilson (To the Bone).

1. A$AP Ferg, Still Striving 

After little more than a year, A$AP Ferg returns with his third album, Still Striving.  Still Thriving fittingly follows up his sophomore album, Always Strive and Prosper.  Notably, early indications suggest that Still Striving resembles the sound of his debut album, Trap Lord.  Comprised of 14 songs, singles “Plain Jane,” “Nasty (Who Dat)” featuring Migos, and “East Coast Remix” were released in advance of the album.

2. Grizzly Bear, Painted Ruins

Indie rock collective Grizzly Bear returns with Painted Ruins, its first album in five years as well as its first on a major label (RCA).  Painted Ruins follows Shields, released in September 2012. Comprised of 11 songs, singles “Mourning Sound,” “Four Cypresses,” “Three Rings,” and “Neighbors” arrived ahead of the album.

3. Phora, Yours Truly Forever

Cali rapper Phora drops his major label debut, Yours Truly Forever.  Prior to Yours Truly Forever, he released a couple of independent projects.  Comprised of 16 tracks, six singles arrived ahead of the album: “Sinner, Pt. 2,” “To the Moon,” “Numb,” “Rider,” “Loyalty,” and “Run To.” The sole credited guest is Tiffany Evans on closing track, “When It’s Over.”

4. Thy Art is Murder, Dear Desolation

Australian metal band Thy Art is Murder returns with its third studio album, Dear Desolation.  Dear Desolation follows up 2015 effort, Holy War. Comprised of just 10 tracks, singles “Slaves Beyond Death” and “The Son of Misery” were released in advance of Dear Desolation.

5. Steven Wilson, To the Bone 

Veteran English rocker Steven Wilson returns with his latest album, To the Bone.  To the Bone follows his 2016 album, 4½.  Comprised of 11 songs, five songs were issued in advance of the album: “Pariah,” featuring Ninet Tayeb, “The Same Asylum as Before,” “Refuge,” “Permanating,” and “Song of I” featuring Sophie Hunger.

Other New Releases:

Josh Abbott Band, Until My Voice Goes Out; Neck Deep, The Peace and the Panic; Shelby Lynne & Allison Moorer, Not Dark Yet; Travis Green, Crossover; Riley Green, Outlaws Like Us – EP

Photo Credits: RCA, Warner Bros., Nuclear Blast, Caroline