Music Shopping List: ‘Suicide Squad’ Highlights New Albums

The Musical Hype is about no BS – none.  So, with that assertion asserted, July 2016 was a lackadaisical month for truly notable, blockbuster albums.  Only one band was able to unseat Drake from his throne, and that was blink-182.  It lasted just one week before Drake reclaimed no. 1 for an 11^th week.

August 2016 looks to pick up steam.  This week is chocked full of new albums, though once more the question will be asked, can any of these albums break through?  Interestingly, one of the week’s most anticipated albums happens to be a soundtrack – Suicide Squad: The Album.  Go figure!

1. Various Artists, Suicide Squad: The Album

[Atlantic]

The original soundtrack to the film Suicide Squad (Suicide Squad: The Album) features various artists.  Songs range from brand new/newer to classics, whether original or covered by another artist.

• Tracks: 14
• Featured Guests: Eminem, Panic! At the Disco, Twenty One Pilots, etc.
• Pre-Release Singles: “Purple Lamborghini,” “Sucker for Pain” & “Heathens”

2. Skillet, Unleashed

[Atlantic]

Christian rock band Skillet returns with its ninth studio album Unleashed.  Unleashed arrives three years after the band’s last album, Rise, which debuted at no. 4 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Christian Albums chart.

• Tracks: 12
• Featured Guests: None
• Pre-Release Singles: “Feel Invincible,” “Back From the Dead,” “Stars” & “I Want to Live”

3. Cody Johnson, Gotta Be Me

[COJO Music]

29-year old Texas country singer Cody Johnson releases his sophomore album, Gotta Be Me.  Gotta Be Me follows 2014 effort Cowboy Like Me, which cracked the top 40 on the Billboard 200.

• Tracks: 14
• Featured Guests: none
• Pre-Release Singles: “Gotta Be Me,” “With You I Am” & “The Only One I Know (Cowboy Life).”

4. The Cadillac Three, Bury Me in My Boots

[Big Machine]

Country/southern rock trio The Cadillac Three returns with its sophomore album, Bury Me in My Boots.  Bury follows the trio’s debut, The Cadillac Three, which was released in 2013.

• Tracks: 14
• Featured Guests: Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley & Mike Eli
• Pre-Release Singles: “Slide,” “Drunk Like You,” “Graffiti,” “Party Like You,” “Soundtrack to a Six Pack,” “White Lightning” & “The South” (ft. Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley & Mike Eli)

5. Nick Fradiani, Hurricane

[19/Dot]

After much delay, the winner of the penultimate season of American Idol, Nick Fradiani, releases his debut album, Hurricane.

• Tracks: 12
• Featured Guests: none
• Pre-Release Singles: “Nothing to Lose,” “Get You Home,” “Howl at the Moon,” “Nobody,” “Love Is Blind” & “Beautiful Life”

6. DJ Snake, Encore

[Interscope]

DJ Snake releases his debut album, Encore.  As expected from a dance album, a number of guest artist appear on Encore, namely Justin Bieber.

• Tracks: 14
• Featured Guests: Justin Bieber, Jeremih, Young Thug, Swizz Beatz, etc.
• Pre-Release Singles: “Middle” (ft. Bipolar Sunshine), “Talk” (ft. George Maple), “Ocho Cinco” (ft. Yellow Claw) & “Propaganda”

7. Chris Lane, Girl Problems

[Big Loud Records]

31-year old North Carolina country singer Chris Lane releases his debut album, Girl Problems.  Interestingly, pre-release single “Let Me Love You” is a cover of the 2004 no. 1 hit by R&B singer Mario.

• Tracks: 12
• Featured Guests: none
• Pre-Release Singles: “Fix,” “For Her,” “Let Me Love You,” “Her Own Kind of Beautiful” & “Saturday Night”

Also Released: Now 59 [UMG]; O.A.R., XX [Vanguard]; Slim Thug, American King [Hogg Life]

Photo Credits: Atlantic, COJO Music, Interscope & Big Loud