The final shopping date for albums in September 2016 has arrived.  September 30, 2016 doesn’t yield any blockbusters, but is chocked full of interesting releases, particularly for the eclectic-minded listener.  Among the rich crop of alternative newbies are Banks (The Altar), Regina Spektor (Remember Us to Life), and Bon Iver (22, A Million).  Call September 30 what it is – “the calm before the storm” – October 7 in particular.

 1. Banks, The Altar

[Harvest]

28-year old Jillian “Banks” returns with her sophomore effort, The Altar.  Banks created quite a stir with buzz single, “F*ck with Myself” for obvious reasons.  The Altar follows Banks’ debut, Goddess.  Could The Altar give Banks her breakthrough album? It’s a possibility, at least based on singles issued prior to the album’s release.

• Tracks: 13
• Featured Guests: none
• Pre-Release Singles: “Gemini Feed,” “F*ck with Myself” & “Mind Games” 

2. Regina Spektor, Remember Us to Life

[Sire]

Singer/songwriter Regina Spektor returns with her highly anticipated new album, Remember Us to Life.  Remember Us to Life marks Spektor’s first new album in four years (What We Saw from the Cheap Seats). The pre-release singles foreshadow the eclectic quality of the forthcoming LP.

• Tracks: 14
• Featured Guests: none
• Pre-Release Singles: “Bleeding Heart,” “Small Bill$,” “Black and White” & “Older and Taller”

3. Bon Iver, 22, A Million

[Jagjaguwar]

After a lengthy hiatus (five years!), Justin Vernon aka Bon Iver returns with 22, A Million.  22, A Million follows up 2011 LP Bon Iver.  Bon Iver won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music album while Bon Iver won the Grammy for Best New Artist the same year.  Based upon single “33 ‘GOD’,” 22, A Million should be an intriguing LP.

• Tracks: 10
• Featured Guests: none
• Pre-Release Singles: “33 ‘GOD’”

 4. Danny Brown, Atrocity Exhibition

[Warp]

Idiosyncratic, underground rapper Danny Brown returns with Atrocity Exhibition, his first album in three years.  Atrocity Exhibition follows up 2013 effort, Old, which received strong critical reception.  The highlight of Atrocity as far as featured guests is single “Really Doe,” which features Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul & Earl Sweatshirt.

• Tracks: 15
• Featured Guests: Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Earl Sweatshirt, Petite Noir, Kelela & B-Real
• Pre-Release Singles: “Really Doe” (ft. Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul & Earl Sweatshirt), “Pneumonia” & “When it Rain”

5. William Michael Morgan, Vinyl

[Warner Nashville]

William Michael Morgan brings a fresh, new face to country music.  Vinyl marks Morgan’s major label debut (Warner Music Nashville).  The highlight as of yet is single “I Met a Girl,” which first materialized in 2015.

• Tracks: 11
• Featured Guests: none
• Pre-Release Singles: “Missing,” “I Met a Girl” & “I Know Who He Is”

6. Van Morrison, Keep Me Singing

[Exile]

71-year old singer/songwriter veteran Van Morrison returns with Keep Me Singing. Keep Me Singing follows Morrison’s 2015 duets album, Duets: Re-Working the Catalogue.  Duets debuted at no. 23 on the Billboard 200.

• Tracks: 13
• Featured Guests: none
• Pre-Release Singles: “Too Late”

7. Yellowcard, Yellowcard

[Hopeless]

Yellowcard has released lots of albums.  Unfortunately, the band has been overshadowed by others and punk-pop has faded somewhat.  Regardless, the band continues to grind with their new, self-titled LP.

• Tracks: 10
• Featured Guests: none
• Pre-Release Singles: “Rest in Peace” & “The Hurt Is Gone”

Also Released: Dave East, Kairi Chanel [Mass Appeal]; Drive-By Truckers, American Band [ATO]; John Prine, For Better, or Worse [Oh Boy]; Jonathan David & Melissa Helser, Beautiful Surrender [Bethel Music]; Marc Broussard, S.O.S. II: Save Our Soul: Soul on a Mission [G-Man Touring]; Opeth, Sorceress [Nuclear Blast Entertainment]; Pixies, Head Carrier [Pixies Music]

Photo Credits: Harvest, Sire, Jajaguwar, Warp, Warner Nashville, Exile, Hopeless