After a busy October in the music world, November seems like the time that album releases will come out at a slower pace.
While several major artists like One Direction, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys and the always-on-time Rihanna will release new albums, there are several left-of-center artists offering new albums this month that are worth your attention.
The Babies – Our House on the Hill
The Babies were birthed during the big lo-fi fuzz-rock revival, and they released their debut self-titled album in 2011.
They are a super group of sorts, comprised of Cassie Ramone of Vivian Girls, Kevin Morby of Woods and Justin Sullivan of Bossy.
Our House on the Hill will be released on Nov. 13.
This will be the group’s first album on Morby’s Woodsist label.
The band will stick to the lo-fi descriptor, but it seems all the fuzz has been left for the members’ other bands.
Instead, The Babies head for more of a classic rock feel for this album, as evidenced by the Blue Oyster Cult-evoking single “Miracle Mile.”
Castle Face Records – The Velvet Underground and Nico by Castle Face & Friends
This year marks the 40th anniversary of The Velvet Underground and Nico’s cult self-titled album.
In addition to a massive re-release box set of the original album, California garage label Castle Face Records will pay homage to the landmark album by releasing a covers album.
Indie darlings such as Warm Soda, Ty Segall (who released an excellent album last month), White Fence, The Fresh & Onlys, Thee Oh Sees and a number of other Castle Face artists and affiliates will do their best imitations of classic tracks like “I’m Waiting for the Man,” “Femme Fatale,” “Run Run Run,” “All Tomorrow’s Parties” and “European Son.”
The album will be available to download from Castle Face’s website, as well as a limited 1000 copy pressing on banana yellow vinyl for nostalgia’s sake.
Chief Keef – Finally Rich
The front-and-center star of the new Chicago rap scene is set to release his full-length debut, Finally Rich, on Nov. 27.
Chief Keef will follow in the footsteps of mixtape rappers Waka Flocka Flame and Kendrick Lamar with this release.
Both artists’ debut albums were originally planned as mixtapes, but instead got the full album treatment to capitalize on their buzz.
Keef set the hip-hop world on fire in April with his debut mixtape Back from the Dead, and quickly rose to fame off the heels of his hit single “I Don’t Like”.
Keef’s aggressive, Waka Flocka-like style has captured the attention of street rap fans everywhere, and it helped the 17-year old secure a deal with Interscope Records.
It also didn’t hurt that a big endorsement from Kanye West came on West’s G.O.O.D. Music compilation, Cruel Summer, when West remixed I Don’t Like to give it a more radio-friendly appeal.
Despite current legal trouble and supposed involvement with the murder of a fellow Chicago rapper who had problems with his GBE crew, this album is still set to release as scheduled.
If you’re lacking hard-hitting, gangsta rap, you’ll hopefully get your fix soon.
Crystal Castles – (III)
Alice Glass and Ethan Kath return with their third offering of their frantic, experimental brand of electronic music.
Album tracks “Plague,” “Wrath of God,” “Affection” and “Violent Youth” have all been released on the band’s Soundcloud page throughout the last month.
While Crystal Castles is normally known for having an overall danceable feel to their music, this album looks to take a more serious and depressing tone than the band’s past efforts.
Glass commented in a press release from the band that oppression would be a major theme of the album, due to personal struggles she’s experienced since the release of (II).
This sentiment is further demonstrated through the cover art, Samuel Aranda’s photograph of Fatima al-Qwas holding her son as he suffered from tear gas at a street demonstration in Yemen in 2011.
Nonetheless, this is one album you won’t want to miss, especially if you’ve grown tired of EDM and Dubstep.
The Weeknd – Trilogy
Abel Tesfaye wowed critics and fans alike last year with the release of his free mixtape albums House of Balloons, Thursday and Echoes of Silence.
In the process, the Toronto native caught the ear of fellow Canadian Drake, who helped Tesfaye’s music reach a larger audience.
After the success of these releases, Tesfaye was able to secure a deal for his XO label through Universal Republic.
His first major release will compile all three mixtapes into one package along with three new unreleased tracks.