August is already a terrific month for concertgoers in Singapore, but there’s also a bumper crop waiting for all you music lovers who are gonna be busy or on a budget this month!
Considered to be the true start to Q3, or the Fall season, artists who release their material in this quarter are seen to be avoiding the crowded Q2 Summer market with its pandering, radio-friendly singles, while also not shameless blatant enough to push their albums in the lucrative Q4 Holiday season, where consumers purchase CDs as gifts for their loved ones. Basically, these are the hipster musicians who don’t want to look too concerned (because that’s not cool), but am also worried about not making a buck.
Or, you know, they could just be releasing material now because they finished it over the summer. Whatevs.
14 August: “Wondaland Presents: The Eephus” – Wondaland Records artists (US)
Helmed by American singer Janelle Monáe, Wondaland Records’ debut 6-track compilation EP features imprint members Jidenna, St. Beauty, Roman GianArthur, and Deep Cotton, plus a remix featuring Kendrick Lamar!
Although the world has only heard two tracks from the EP, both “Classic Man” and the almost-summer-hit “Yoga” have left critics clamouring for more. With the collective’s nod and wink at pushing for Jidenna to A-list stardom, watch this collective for more great material.
21 August: “Burning Bridges” – Bon Jovi (US)
A few reasons why we’re featuring American rock band Bon Jovi: firstly because they’re coming to Singapore as headliners in the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix in September, and also because that’s where this author got his name from.
This is the band’s 13th studio album, and the upcoming release is described as a “fan album” containing outtakes and previously-unfinished songs.
Bon Jovi have revealed that they will release a full-length album in 2016 to accompany an international tour.
21 August: “E•MO•TION” – Carly Rae Jepsen (US)
I cannot sing enough praises for this album; Carly Rae Jepsen has seriously outdone herself! Featuring a roster of talented producers and co-writers like Dev Hynes, Ariel Rechtshaid, and even Sia (who has a spoken part on the track “Boy Problems“), the 15 songs on the deluxe edition shine with standalone clarity… no fillers here!
We all know the elephant in the room: how can anything top “Call Me Maybe“? In an interview with LA Times, Carly revealed that she slammed on the brakes after “Kiss” (her previous album) and decided that she would be “taking my bloody time” with the new album. Her slow-cooked approach to “E•MO•TION” certainly paid off, with critics praising her mature songwriting (“I Really Like You” is just a fun song, okay?!) and stellar, disco-tinged production.
This here is your summer hit album of 2015, delivered just slightly delayed.
21 August: “Right Here Right Now” – Jordin Sparks (US)
The American Idol alumnus may have faded from headlines from a bit since her win (VH1 titled her return “She’s back! Even though she never left!”), but the “Battlefield” hitmaker is set to drop her third studio album this August as well.
This release is SIX YEARS in the making: her last studio album was 2009’s “Battlefield”! Since then, the 25-year-old has done cameos on television shows such as Disney Channel’s “The Suite Life On Deck” and Nickelodeon’s “Big Time Rush“, scored a stint on Broadway, starred alongside the late Whitney Houston on musical film “Sparkle” (we’re at 2012 now, people), and released a total of three fragrances because every pop star needs a slew of perfumes (“This is what I smelled like in 2010… this is what I smelled like in 2012…”). But most excitingly, the release of her nine-track mixtape in 2014 which acted as a “free sample” of sorts to test if the market was ready for her comeback.
Judging from THIS. SICK. BEAT. on the title track, I think we are.
28 August: “Beauty Behind The Madness” – The Weeknd (US)
After having approximately 34,268 music sites harp about how “groundbreaking” and “bold” he is, The Weeknd’s highly-anticipated (whaaat) album is finally, blessedly ready for release. The Canadian recording artist has had a hand in many of last year’s hits, prompting said 34,268 music sites to take notice of Abel’s work. His duet with Ariana Grande on “Love Me Harder” and feature on the “Fifty Shades Of Grey” soundtrack (“Earned It“) have earned him new fans from across the globe.
Having all-round cutie pie Ed Sheeran and the lovely Lana Del Rey feature on your album doesn’t hurt too.
28 August: “FELINE” – Ella Eyre (UK)
Here’s some background on the London native: Ella came in second behind soul star Sam Smith in the BBC Sound Of 2014 Poll and has been co-writing and featuring on many of her UK contemporaries’ tracks. At just 21 years old, Ella has worked with acts such as Sigma, Paloma Faith, Tinie Tempah, Rudimental, DJ Fresh, Bastille, and Wiz Khalifa (basically every cool British artist).
With a remarkable voice that resembles Adele after three cans of Red Bull, Ella roars her way through her singles with her signature rhythm-driven sound. Come 28 August, pop’s newest star is born!
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