The first music shopping week in October 2016 is a promising one.  Big names – Green Day and Norah Jones – make this week top-heavy.  The problem is, both artists have underperformed commercially as of late.  Still, albums Revolution Radio and Day Breaks look like a return to form for both artists.  Beyond Green Day and Jones, OneRepublic delivers its highly anticipated fourth album, Oh My My.

1. Green Day, Revolution Radio

[Reprise]

Green Day returns with their first album in four years (¡Uno!, ¡Dos!, and ¡Tré!, 2012), Revolutionary Radio. Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong did release a joint effort with Norah Jones in 2013 (Foreverly), but it received little attention from a commercial standpoint.  Based upon singles issue prior to Revolution Radio, the album looks like a “return to form” for the band, reminiscing back to 2004’s American Idiot and 2008’s 21^st Century Breakdown.

• Tracks: 12
• Featured Guests: none
• Pre-Release Singles: “Bang Bang,” “Revolution Radio” & “Still Breathing”

2. Norah Jones, Day Breaks

 [Blue Note]

Norah Jones returns after a four-year hiatus between solo albums with Day Breaks. Day Breaks follows underrated 2012 LP Little Broken Hearts, though it should be noted Jones and Billie Joe Armstrong released a joint LP, Foreverly, in 2013.  Jones has won eight Grammys, including album of the year for Come Away With Me.  Jones also was part of two more album of the year winners – Ray Charles (Genius Loves Company) and Herbie Hancock (River: The Joni Letters).

• Tracks: 12
• Featured Guests: None
• Pre-Release Singles: “Carry On,” “Flipside” & “Tragedy”

3. OneRepublic, Oh My My

 [Mosley Music / Interscope]

OneRepublic returns after a three-year hiatus with its highly anticipated fourth studio album, Oh My My.  OneRepublic got off to a fast start with its latest album with promo single, “Kids.” Follow-up “Future Looks Good” wasn’t too shabby itself.  Oh My My follows up platinum-certified album, Native.

• Tracks: 16
• Featured Guests: Cassius, Peter Gabriel & Santigold
• Pre-Release Singles: “Future Looks Good,” “Kids,” “A.I.” (ft. Peter Gabriel) & “Wherever I Go”

4. Sum 41, 13 Voices

 [Hopeless]

Punk-pop band Sum 41 return after a five-year hiatus with 13 Voices. 13 Voices follows 2011 LP Screaming Blood Murder, which sold poorly, peaking at no. 31 on the Billboard 200.  13 Voices marks Sum 41’s first album for Hopeless Records.

• Tracks: 10
• Featured Guests: none
• Pre-Release Singles: “Fake My Own Death,” “War” & “God Save Us All (Death to POP)”

5. Colbie Caillat, The Malibu Sessions

[PlummyLou]

Pop singer/songwriter Colbie Caillat returns with The Malibu Sessions, her first new studio album in two years.  The Malibu Sessions follows quietly released 2014 album, Gypsy Heart.  Caillat’s best run came with albums Coco (2007) and Breakthrough (2009).  Breakthrough debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard 200 back in 2009.

• Tracks: 11
• Featured Guests: none
• Pre-Release Singles: “Goldmine,” “Cruisin’,” “Like Tomorrow Never Comes” & “Never Got Away”

6. Daya, Sit Still, Look Pretty

[RED]

Pop newcomer Daya releases her debut album, Sit Still, Look Pretty.  Two particular singles build anticipation for the up-and-comer’s debut: “Don’t Let Me Down” (The Chainsmokers) and her own single, “Sit Still, Look Pretty.” Seven songs were issued prior to the release of Sit Still, Look Pretty.

• Tracks: 14
• Featured Guests: N/A
• Pre-Release Singles: “Legendary,” “Thirsty,” “Hide Away,” “Cool,” “Sit Still, Look Pretty,” “U12” & “Back to Me”

7. Barry Gibb, In The Now

[Columbia]

70-year old pop veteran Barry Gibb returns with In The Now, his first new album in nearly 30 years (Hawks Soundtrack, 1988). Gibb is the final Gibb brother, best known for his work with The Bee Gees.  Maurice Gibb died in 2003, while his twin Robin passed in 2012.  Gibb’s youngest brother, rising pop star Andy, died at age 30 in 1988.

• Tracks: 12
• Featured Guests: none
• Pre-Release Singles: “In The Now” & “Star Crossed Lovers”

8. Phantogram, Three

[Republic]

Alternative-electronic duo Phantogram return with their third studio album, Three.  Three arrives two years after Voices, which just missed the top 10 on the Billboard 200 (no. 11).

• Tracks: 10
• Featured Guests: none
• Pre-Release Singles: “Same Old Blues,” “You Don’t Get Me High Anymore,” “Cruel World,” “You’re Mine” & “Run Run Blood”

 Also Released: Alter Bridge, The Last Hero [Alter Bridge]; Dance Gavin Dance, Mothership [Rise]; The Devil Wears Prada, Transit Blues [Rise]; J. Cyrus, Best There Never [J. Cyrus]; Mo Pitney, Behind This Guitar [Curb]; Phish, Big Boat [Phish]

Photo Credits: Reprise, Blue Note, Mosley Music / Interscope, Hopeless, PlummyLou, RED, Columbia, Republic