After some quiet months of music, November promises to be a huge month in the album world. The unquestionably biggest artists in all of music -- as well as a band with a cult following -- will all be coming out with new music. Making things even more interesting, most of them will be coming out with that new music within a few days of one another, giving the month a competitive vibe. These are the four releases you'll need to keep your ears open for in November.
4. 'Synthesis' -- Evanescence
Regular releases from Evanescence will never be a bad thing.
The only disappointment is that this album will lack in the original music department. Instead, it will be some of the band's old songs, reworked to include orchestral arrangements and some electronica melodies. There will be two new songs, though, so stay through the main course to get to the immortal dessert. [November 10]
3. 'Red Pill Blues' -- Maroon 5
As challenging as it is for us to get over, the old Maroon 5 is never coming back. After "Payphone" way back when, however, their interest must have been piqued about working with rappers. While singles with Kendrick Lamar and Future aren't going to make the standard album, there will be collaborations with SZA ("What Lovers Do") and A$AP Rocky ("Whiskey").
Maybe the band would've been better off taking the blue pill that Morpheus offered in "The Matrix." [November 3]
2. 'Reputation' -- Taylor Swift
When "Look What You Made Me Do" rocked the music world, it accomplished two goals: it put Taylor Swift's name back in the headlines and it further muddied the picture as to what kind of artist Swift wants to be.
The song is absolutely catchy, but it doesn't show off much vocal range or lyrical prose. Outside of the singles, not much is known about this coming album -- but the musical direction seems to push her further and further towards the musical mean. [November 10]
1. 'The Thrill of It All' -- Sam Smith
This will be Sam Smith's first album since his successful debut, "In the Lonely Hour." So far, it doesn't seem to boast big pop sounds, covered by light and airy melodies.
Instead, the singles seem personal, like an attempt to bare his soul, instead of letting the media and tabloids do it for him. He still has a once-in-a-lifetime voice to support whatever he does, which is thrilling in and of itself. Pushing the narrative forward after his debut will make for a tough act to follow, however. [November 3]
