October 2017 begins with a bang thanks to the release of a new Marilyn Manson album, Heaven Upside Down.

October 2017 is here! We are into the second month of the jam-packed fourth quarter of album releases.  The first week of October (new music arriving beginning Friday, October 6) isn’t particularly dynamic.  Even though this isn’t a huge week, there are welcome new projects from Marilyn Manson, NF, and Gwen Stefani.  Marilyn Manson certainly provides one hell of a bang, if you catch the drift…

1. Marilyn Manson, Heaven Upside Down 

Marilyn Manson returns with Heaven Upside Down, his first new album in two years.  We last heard from Manson in 2015 with The Pale Emperor.  Comprised of just 10 tracks, singles “We Know Where You F*cking Live” and “Kill4Me” were issued in advance of the album.

2. NF, Perception

Christian rapper Nathan Feuerstein, better known as NF, returns with his third studio album, Perception.  Perception arrives one year after Therapy Session (2016).  Comprised of 16 songs, three singles were issued in advance of the album: “Green Lights,” “Let You Down,” and “Outro.” Ruelle is the only featured guest (“10 Feet Down”).

3. Gwen Stefani, You Make It Feel Like Christmas

Gwen Stefani returns with her fourth solo album, a Christmas album, You Make It Feel Like Christmas.  The last we heard from Stefani was back in 2016, when she dropped her long-awaited, yet underrated This Is What the Truth Feels Like.  Comprised of 12 songs, two singles were issued ahead of the album: “You Make It Feel Like Christmas,” featuring Blake Shelton, and “Santa Baby.” Blake Shelton is the sole featured guest.

4. Kane Brown, Kane Brown (Deluxe Edition) 

Rather than release a new album yet, breakout country artist Kane Brown issues a deluxe version of his debut album, Kane Brown.  Kane Brown was originally released in 2016.  Comprised of 15 tracks, “Found You” serves as the promo single for the deluxe version (Hit single “What Ifs,” featuring Lauren Alaina, was available on the original edition of the album). Notably, Chris Young joins the deluxe version as a featured guest on “Setting the Night on Fire.”

5. August Burns Red, Phantom Anthem

Metal band August Burns Red returns with Phantom Anthem, their first new album in two years. Phantom Anthem follows Found in Far Away Places (2015). Comprised of 11 songs, singles “The Frost” and “Invisible” arrived in advance of the album.

6. Jacob Sartorius, Left Me Hangin’ – EP

Jacob Sartorius returns with his second EP, Left Me Hangin’.  We first heard from Sartorius earlier in 2017 with The Last Text EP.  Left Me Hangin’ is comprised of six songs, including pre-release singles “Skateboard,” “Hit Me Back” featuring blackbear, and “No Music.”

7. Vivian Green, VGVI 

Underrated R&B singer Vivian Green returns with VGVI, her first album in two years.  VGVI follows Vivid, which arrived in 2015.  Comprised of 13 tracks, singles “Promise,” “I Don’t Know,” and “Mutual Feelings,” featuring Charisa the Violindiva, arrived ahead of the album. Musiq Soulchild also makes a guest appearance on VGVI (“Just Like Fools (Revisited)”).

Other Releases:

Liam Gallagher, As You Were; Zak Abel, Only When We’re Naked; Casey Donahew, 15 Years – The Wild Ride; Jeremy Camp, The Answer; Input Output, Substance I.O.; The Black Dahlia Murder, Nightbringers;

Photo Credits: Loma Vista, Capitol, Interscope, Sony, Fearless, Jacob Sartorius, Make Noise