Thomas Rhett, Jack Johnson, and The National are among the star-studded list of artists dropping new albums on September 8, 2017.  

The best way to describe the first music release of September 2017 is #EPIC.  After a slow August, with the exception of the last week, and a slow first Friday in September, September 8 is jam-packed with new music.  Literally, there’s something for everybody.  Arguably, the most anticipated album of the bunch comes courtesy of Thomas Rhett, who releases his third studio album, Life Changes.  Still, trailing just slightly behind him is Jack Johnson (All the Light Above it Too) and The National (Sleep Well Beast).  

1. Thomas Rhett, Life Changes

Thomas Rhett hit it big in 2015 with his sophomore album, Tangled Up.  Tangled Up ended up going platinum, led by a multiplatinum, Grammy-nominated single, “Die A Happy Man.” With momentum on his side, Rhett drops his third studio album, Life Changes.  Comprised of 14 songs, singles “Craving You” featuring Maren Morris, “Unforgettable,” “Sixteen,” “Life Changes,” and “Grave” were released in advance of the project.  Besides Morris’ guest spot, Rhett’s daddy, Rhett Akins guests on “Drink a Little Beer.” That’s a father-son relationship for you.

2. Jack Johnson, All the Light Above It Too

After a four-year hiatus, Jack Johnson returns with All the Light Above It Too.  All the Light Above It Too follows up his 2013 effort, From Here to Now to You.  That Jack Johnson has a knack for poetry, doesn’t he? Comprised of only 10 songs, singles “My Mind is For Sale,” “Sunsets for Somebody Else,” and “You Can’t Control It” arrived in advance of the album.  It’s all Jack – there are no guest features.

3. The National, Sleep Well Beast

Indie rock band The National returns with its seventh studio album, Sleep Well Beast.  Sleep Well Beast follows Trouble Will Find Me, which was released in May 2013.  Comprised of 12 tracks, singles “Day I Die,” “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness,” “Guilty Party,” and “Carin at the Liquor Store” were issued ahead of the album.

4. Kip Moore, Slowheart

37-year old country artist Kip Moore is the second country artist releasing an album on the star-studded September 8, 2017 release date. Slowheart arrives two years after Wild Ones (2015).  Comprised of 13 songs, singles “Plead the Fifth,” “Bittersweet Company,” “More Girls Like You,” “The Bull” and “Blonde” arrived in advance of the album.

5. Dustin Lynch, Current Mood

There’s always room for another country hunk, right? Well, the Billboard charts will ultimately tell, but 31-year old Dustin Lynch returns with his third studio album, Current Mood.  Current Mood arrives after a three-year hiatus (Where’s It At, 2014).  Comprised of 13 songs, singles “Seein’ Red,” “Small Town Boy,” “Why We Call Each Other,” and “Love Me or Leave Me Alone” arrived ahead of the album. 

6. Toby Keith, The Bus Songs

Toby Keith represents the fourth country male entry on this particular music shopping list.  Years ago, Keith would’ve landed much higher than sixth.  Nonetheless, he made a splash early on with The Bus Songs with single, “Shitty Golfer.”  In addition to “Shitty Golfer,” singles “Wacky Tobaccy,” “Runnin’ Block,” and “Call a Marine” arrived ahead of The Bus Songs.

7. Tori Amos, Native Invader

Singer/songwriter Tori Amos makes her return with Native Invader. Native Invader arrives three years after Unrepentant Geraldines (2014).  Comprised of 15 tracks in its deluxe edition, singles “Reindeer King,” “Cloud Riders” and “Up the Creek” arrived in advance of the album.

8. Death from Above 1979, Outrage! Is Now 

Sebastien Grainger and Jesse Keeler are back! They’re better known as Death from Above 1979.  The Canadian debut returns with its third studio album, Outrage! Is Now.  Outrage follows up the band’s 2014 effort, The Physical World.  Comprised of 10 songs, singles “Freeze Me,” “Never Swim Alone,” and “Holy Books” preceded the album.

9. MUTEMATH, Play Dead 

Paul Meany and the gang are back! Alternative rock band MUTEMATH returns with its fifth studio album, Play Dead.  Play Dead arrives two years after Vitals (2015).  Comprised of 10 songs, singles “Hit Parade,” “Stroll On,” and “War” preceded the album.

10. Gregg Allman, Southern Blood 

Sadly, Gregg Allman was one of many musicians lost in 2017.  Southern Blood, hence, arrives as a posthumous album.  Comprised of 12 songs in its deluxe edition, singles “My Only True Friend,” “I Love the Life I Live,” and “Song for Adam,” featuring Jackson Browne, arrived in advance of the album.

11. ODESZA, A Moment Apart 

Seattle production duo ODESZA – Clayton Knight and Harrison Mills – returns with its third album, A Moment Apart.  A Moment Apart arrives three years after In Return (2014).  A Moment Apart is comprised of 16 tracks, with five songs being issued prior to the album: “Higher Ground” featuring Naomi Wild, “Line of Sight” featuring WYNNE & Mansionair, “Late Night,” “Meridian,” and “Corners of the Earth” featuring RY X.  In addition to the aforementioned guests, other guests on A Moment Apart include Regina Spektor and Leon Bridges among others.

Other New Music Releases:  

Dev, I Only See You When I’m Dreaming; Neil Young, Hitchhiker; Sparks, Hippopotamus; Alter Bridge, Live at the O2 Arena + Rarities; Robin Schulz, Uncovered; Johnny Lang, Signs; Yandel, #Update

Photo Credits: Big Machine, Republic, 4AD, MCA Nashville, Broken Bow, Show Dog, Decca, Last Gang, Wojtek, Rounder, Counter