October isn't the most spectacular month for album releases. Movies tend to take over the month, with musicians beginning to roll out their annual Christmas catalog. But some big-name musicians are coming out with year-round music this month. The month includes the debut solo album from a former One Direction member and the return of two of the industry's biggest female stars. These are the records you'll need to tune into in this October.
4. 'Colors' - Beck
Like it or not, Beck is a force. His last album, "Morning Phase," memorably won the Grammy Award for Best Album of the Year.
His latest album has seen singles strewn all over the place since 2015, so it's been in the works for some time. He has described the record as being "complex" in nature, as are all things with the rocker. Here's hoping people say "wow" when they listen to this record, rather than call him a "loser." [October 13]
3. 'Flicker' - Niall Horan
We're at the halfway point for One Direction solo records. Zayn and Harry Styles have already achieved some good level of success with their albums, so the Niall Horan album has high expectations to live up to. "Slow Hands" has been an extremely successful single, but "This Town" was a disappointment. How will the work fare as a whole? That may determine the future of Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne, who have released singles but no release dates for full albums.
[October 20]
2. 'Beautiful Trauma' - Pink
It's been some time since Pink has come out with new music. In fact, this will be her first album since 2012. Since then, she has done extensive touring and worked on music with other artists, rather than her own. "What About Now" is a bit of a bland single, sadly. But Pink always knows how to take her life experiences and bring it to the audience in a visceral way, from "So What" to "Just Give Me a Reason." She'll pull this one together too.
[October 13]
1. 'Meaning of Life' - Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson is back in a big way. Her first new single, "Love So Soft," has that early-era Clarkson flair with some massive sex appeal behind it. This is her first album outside of RCA Records, where she signed following her "American Idol" victory. She also recorded it in Nashville, meaning there might be a country twinge to it. Clarkson is now a mother of two and clearly ready to open the next chapter in her career while maintaining some of the magic that built it in the first place. [October 27]
