After being a quiet month for new music, the final week of August yields the biggest releases yet, including Queens of the Stone Age and Fifth Harmony.

Talk about a “summer bummer!” August 2017 wasn’t the most thrilling month for big-name, blockbuster releases.  Sure, we got Kesha (Rainbow), as well as A$AP Ferg (Still Striving), but nothing monumental.  August 25, 2017 represents the last music release Friday of August.  Thankfully, the best was saved for last.  While it’s still devoid of surefire blockbuster albums, having new releases courtesy of Queens of the Stone Age and Fifth Harmony among others isn’t too shabby.  The good news – September 2017 is looking loaded.

1. Queens of the Stone Age, Villains 

Queens of the Stone Age have some hellishness in them judging by the cover of their new album, Villains.  Villains arrives four years after …Like Clockwork, which arrived in June 2014 and debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard 200. Interestingly, Villains is produced by an unlikely producer – Mark Ronson. Comprised of just nine tracks, ferocious single “The Way You Used to Do” arrived in June, long before the arrival of the album.  Second single “The Evil Has Landed” arrived in August, two weeks ahead of Villains.

2. Fifth Harmony, Fifth Harmony

Fifth Harmony returns down a member on their self-titled third album.  Yes, Camila Cabello exited, pursuing a solo career.  After releasing 7/27 in 2016, the arrival of Fifth Harmony seems relatively quick.  Comprised of 10 songs, singles “Down” featuring Gucci Mane and “Angel” arrived in advance of the album.  Gucci Mane is the sole featured guest.

3. Old Dominion, Happy Endings

Country band Old Dominion returns with their highly anticipated sophomore album, Happy Endings.  Happy Endings arrives two years after their debut album, Meat and Candy.  Comprised of 12 songs, five singles were issued in advance of the album’s release: “No Such Thing as a Broken Heart,” “Shoe Shopping,” “Not Everything’s About You,” “Be with Me,” and “Written in the Sand.”  There are no guest features.

4. A$AP Mob, Cozy Tapes, Vol. 2: Too Cozy

The Mob is back! A$AP Mob follows up their 2016 effort, Cozy Tapes, Vol. 1: Friends, with their 2017 effort, Cozy Tapes, Vol. 2: Too Cozy.  Ahead of Cozy Tapes, Vol. 2, two singles were issued: “Feels So Good” and “RAF.”  Both singles are star-studded.  All told, Cozy Tapes, Vol. 2 is comprised of 17 songs.

5. Action Bronson, Blue Chips 7000

East coast rapper and former chef Action Bronson returns with his second major label album, Blue Chips 7000.  Blue Chips 7000 arrives two years after his debut, Mr. Wonderful, which featured the hit, “Baby Blue.” Comprised of 13 songs, three singles arrived in advance of the album: “The Chairman’s Intent,” “Let Me Breathe,” and “Durag vs. Headband” featuring Big Body Bes.  In addition to Big Body Bes, who is featured twice on Blue Chips 7000, other featured guests are Mayhem Lauren, Jah Tiger, and Rick Ross.

6. The War on Drugs, A Deeper Understanding

Alt-rock six-piece band The War on Drugs returns with its fourth studio album, A Deeper Understanding. A Deeper Understanding follows up their universally-acclaimed third album, the Lost in the Dream, released in 2014.  Comprised of just 10 tracks, singles “Up All Night,” “Pain,” “Holding On,” and “Strangest Thing” arrived in advance of A Deeper Understanding.

7. Daniel Caesar, Freudian 

The time has come for Canadian R&B newcomer Daniel Caesar. What time? The time to release his debut album, Freudian. Canadian R&B has been hot as of late – see The Weeknd and Alessia Cara.  Ahead of Freudian, Caesar issued three singles that made the album: early single “Get You” featuring Kali Uchis, “We Find Love,” and “Blessed.”

8. PVRIS, All We Know of Heaven, All We Need of Hell

Alt trio PVRIS returns with its sophomore album, All We Know of Heaven.  Heaven follows up the band’s debut, White Noise, which arrived in November 2014. Skinny at just 10 tracks, singles “Heaven,” “Half,” “What’s Wrong,” and “Winter” arrived ahead of the album’s release.

9. The Cadillac Three, Legacy

Country/Southern rock trio The Cadillac Three returns with its third studio album, Legacy.  Legacy serves as the follow-up to Bury Me in My Boots, which arrived in August 2016.  Comprised of 11 tracks, singles “Dang If We Didn’t,” “American Slang,” “Demolition Man,” and “Legacy” arrived ahead of the album.  Lori McKenna is the sole featured guest (“Love Me Like Liquor”).

https://youtu.be/emgMtF6HCy0

10. Brian McKnight, Genesis

48-year old R&B veteran Brian McKnight returns with Genesis, which arrives just a year after Better (2016).  Unfortunately, interest in McKnight has waned over the years, but he continues to stay on the grind, releasing albums regularly. Comprised of 12 songs, four singles arrived in advance of Genesis: “I Want U,” “10 Million Stars,” “Hungry 4 U,” and “Forever.” 

Other New Releases:

Iron & Wine, Beast Epic; Brendon Small, Galaktikon II: Become the Storm; Ozuna, Odisea; Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Heart. Passion. Pursuit.

Photo Credits: Matador, Epic, Sony, RCA, Atlantic, Golden Child Recordings, Rise, Big Machine, SoNo