November gets off to a fast start thanks to new albums courtesy of Sam Smith, Maroon 5, Kid Rock, and many more. 

It’s November, and November 3, 2017 is a jam-packed new music Friday! Following a jam-packed fourth Friday in October, the fourth quarter is in full effect.  A number of big names drop new albums including Sam Smith, Maroon 5, Kid Rock, and Blake Shelton.  If the respective releases by those artists are the main attraction, the next tier isn’t too shabby, including new releases from Grace VanderWaal, Kelsea Ballerini, and Lee Brice.  Without further ado, here’s the music shopping list of albums available beginning Friday, November 3.

1. Sam Smith, The Thrill of It All

Capitol

After a three-year hiatus, breakout British pop singer Sam Smith returns with his sophomore album, The Thrill of It All.  The Thrill of It All follows up his Grammy-winning, 2014 effort, In the Lonely Hour.  That album spawned hits including “Stay with Me” and “I Know I’m Not the Only One.” The Thrill of It All is comprised of 14 tracks, including singles “Too Good at Goodbyes,” “Pray,” and “Burning,” which were released in advance of the album.  YEBBA is the sole featured guest (“Peace”).

2. Maroon 5, Red Pill Blues

Interscope

Maroon 5 also return after a three-year hiatus with Red Pill Blues.  This album marks the band’s sixth studio, following the successful V (2014). Red Pill Blues is comprised of 15 tracks, with singles  “What Lovers Do” featuring SZA, “Help Me Out” with Julia Michaels, “Whiskey,” featuring A$AP Rocky,  “Don’t Wanna Know” featuring Kendrick Lamar, and “Cold” featuring Future, arriving in advance of the album. Other featured guests are LunchMoney Lewis (“Who I Am”) and A$AP Rocky (“Whiskey”).

3. Kid Rock, Sweet Southern Sugar

BMG Rights Management

Kid Rock returns after a two-year hiatus with Sweet Southern Sugar. Sweet Southern Sugar serves as the follow-up to First Kiss (2015). Interestingly, Sweet Southern Sugar is a country album as opposed to a rock album. Comprised of just 10 songs, singles “Greatest Show on Earth,” “Po-Dunk,” and “Tennessee Mountaintop” were released in advance of the album.

4. Blake Shelton, Texoma Shore

Warner Bros.

In many other weeks, the return of Blake Shelton would likely be the talk of the shopping list.  However, November 3^rd is simply a stacked album release date. Nonetheless, the 41-year old country vet is no slouch as he releases Texoma Shore.  Texoma Shore serves as the follow up to his 2016 album, If I’m Honest.  Comprised of 11 tracks, single “I’ll Name the Dogs” arrived in advance of the album.

5. Grace VanderWaal, Just the Beginning

Simco / Columbia

VanderWaal, winner of America’s Got Talent, releases her highly-anticipated debut album, Just the Beginning.  The world received a taste of the music of VanderWaal back in 2016 when she released her debut EP, Perfectly Imperfect.  How many musicians get to release their debut at 13?  Amazing to say the least.  Just the Beginning is comprised of 12 songs, with singles “Moonlight,” “Sick of Being Told,” “So Much More Than This,” “Escape My Mind” and “City Song” arriving in advance of the album.

6. Kelsea Ballerini, Unapologetically

Black River Entertainment

Rising country artist Kelsea Ballerini returns with her sophomore album, Unapologetically.  Unapologetically follows her 2015 debut, The First Time. Comprised of 12 songs, singles “Miss Me More,” “High School,” “Unapologetically,” and “Legends” were released in advance of the album.

7. Lee Brice, Lee Brice

Curb

Hmm, Lee Brice must’ve missed the memo that “everybody and his brother” were dropping new albums on November 3^rd, including country artists Blake Shelton and Kelsea Ballerini. Nonetheless, the country artist drops his self-titled album, three years after I Don’t Dance.  Comprised of 15 tracks, singles “What Keeps You up at Night,” “Boy,” “I Don’t Smoke” (featuring Warren Haynes), “Rumor,” “Songs in the Kitchen,” and “The Best Part of Me” arrived in advance of the album.

8. Joji, In Tongues – EP

88rising / EMPIRE

Joji is likely better known by his YouTube Channel, Filthy Frank.  Joji is more serious than Filthy Frank, who is outrageous.  In Tongues (EP) marks his official debut project.  Comprised of six songs, single “Will He” was issued in advance of the EP.

9. Shawn Mendes, MTV Unplugged

Island 

Teen heartthrob Shawn Mendes returns with an unplugged project, MTV Unplugged.  MTV Unplugged follows up Mendes’ sophomore album, Illuminate, which was released in September 2016.  Comprised of 11 songs, “Don’t Be a Fool” was issued in advance of the album as a teaser track.

Other Releases:  

Now 64; The Walls Group, The Other Side; Josh Groban, Noël (Deluxe Edition); Ned LeDoux, Sagebrush; Anti-Flag, American Fall; Cannibal Corpse, Red Before Black  

Photo Credits: Capitol, Interscope, BMG Rights Management, Warner Bros., Columbia, Black River Entertainment, Curb, 88rising / EMPIRE, Island