Music Shopping List: Mastodon Leads With ‘Emperor of Sand’

Mastodon (‘Emperor of Sand’), Bob Dylan (‘Triplicate’), and MercyMe (‘Lifer’) among others, drop new albums on March 31, 2017.

The final new music release date in March 2017 turns out to be a busy one.  While there is a lack of surefire, blockbuster releases, everybody (and his brother) seems to be dropping their album at the tail-end of March.  The biggest release comes at the hands of metal band Mastodon, who return with Emperor of Sand.  That said, hard to give some promo love to the likes of Bob Dylan or the incredibly underrated return of Jamiroquai.

1. Mastodon, Emperor of Sand

Reprise 

 Metal collective Mastodon returns with Emperor of Sand, its first album in nearly three years (Once More ‘Round the Sun, June 2014).  Emperor of Sand marks the seventh studio album by the band, who have been releasing albums since 2002 debut, Remission.  Comprised of 11 tracks, three singles arrived prior to the album’s release: “Sultan’s Curse,” “Show Yourself,” and “Andromeda.”

2. Bob Dylan, Triplicate

Columbia

Bob Dylan drops a new album this week, entitled Triplicate.  Interestingly, Dylan’s triple-disc project isn’t getting a lot of buzz.  Perhaps it’s because Dylan continues to cover standards – torch songs, for his third straight album.  Nonetheless, it’s amazing the 75-year old releases a 30-song project.  Singles “I Could Have Told You,” “My One and Only Love,” and “Stardust” were issued prior to Triplicate.

3. MercyMe, Lifer

MercyMe 

Contemporary Christian veteran MercyMe returns with Lifer, it’s first proper studio album since 2014 (Welcome to the New).  It should be noted that MercyMe did release a Christmas project in 2015 (MercyMe, It’s Christmas).  Comprised of just 10 tracks, four singles arrived prior to the album: “Lifer,” “Even If,” “Hello Beautiful,” and “We Win.”

4. Jamiroquai, Automaton

Virgin

It has been seven years since British pop/R&B group Jamiroquai released a new album (Rock Dust Light Star, 2010)! Jamiroquai finally returns with Automaton, though the buzz is at a minimum for the veteran band.  Regardless of buzz, Automaton features 12 new tracks, with the energetic “Automaton” and “Cloud 9” arriving prior to the album’s release.

5. Trace Adkins, Something’s Going On

Wheelhouse

55-year old Country veteran Trace Adkins returns with Something’s Going On, his first new proper studio album in four years (Love Will…, 2013). Comprised of 12 tracks, six singles arrived prior to the release of the album: “Jesus and Jones,” “Watered Down,” “Something’s Going On,” “If Only You Were Lonely,” “Lit,” and “Still a Soldier.” Interestingly, there are no featured guests on Adkins’ new LP.

https://youtu.be/BqfZASCck7k

6. La’Porsha Renae, Already All Ready

19 / Motown

American Idol runner-up La’Porsha Renae arrives with her debut album, Already All Ready.  Renae was a force to be reckoned with on the final season of the show, where she somehow ended up losing to Trent Harmon (no disrespect of course). Back in 2016, Renae issued her soulful promo single, “Good Woman.”  In addition to “Good Woman,” singles “What is Love,” “Somebody Does,” and “Already All Ready” arrived ahead of the album.

7. Leela James, Did It for Love

BMG Rights Management

The incredibly soulful, if underrated Leela James returns with Did It for Love, her sixth studio album.  Did It for Love follows a solid 2014 effort, Fall for You. Comprised of 12 songs, five singles arrived prior to the album: “Hard for Me,” “Don’t Mean a Thang,” “Don’t Want You Back,” “I Remember,” and “All Over Again.” Did It for Love features only one guest artist: David Hollister. The title track, which wasn’t issued ahead time, concludes the album.

8. Aimee Mann, Mental Illness

Aimee Mann / SuperEgo

56-year old veteran alt singer/songwriter Aimee Mann returns with Mental Illness, her first new album in five years (Charmer, 2012). Mental Illness is comprised of 11 songs.  Two singles arriving prior to the album’s release: “Goose Snow Cone” and “Patient Zero.”

9. Goldfrapp, Silver Eye

Mute Artists Ltd

Goldfrapp returns with Silver Eye, the Alison Goldfrapp-led collective’s seventh studio album. Silver Eye arrives four years after Tales of Us (2013). Comprised of 10 tracks, “Anymore,” “Moon in Your Mouth,” and “Ocean” arrived ahead of the album’s release.

Additional New Releases: Body Count, Bloodlust; Charlotte OC, Carless People; Deorro, Good Evening; Gawvi, We Belong; The Mavericks, Brand New Day; Residente, Residente

Photo Credits: Reprise, Columbia, MercyMe, Virgin, Wheelhouse, 19 / Motown, BMG Rights Management, Aimee Mann / SuperEgo, Mute Artists Ltd