September, the music scene has kicked off strong with the newest releases from Drake, Kanye West, and the recent exciting announcement that ABBA will be reuniting for their first new album in 40 years.
ABBA broke UK pre-order records last week when they announced their latest album, Voyage, which will drop in early November. With this announcement came two new singles, “I Still Have Faith in You” and “Don’t Shut Me Down” that you can listen to now.
Drake released his latest album, Certified Lover Boy, within a week from initially announcing it on social media with the album cover art that has gone viral. It is becoming more and more of a trend for big-name artists to take this surprising approach to new album releases with little warning and sharing no singles beforehand. The element of surprise seems to be working as Drake’s album threatens Kanye West’s current #1 position on the charts with his latest album, Donda.
Meanwhile, Halsey’s album, If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, holds the second spot on the Billboard chart this week.
Drake’s Certified Lover Boy brings the listener very typical and expected Drake-like lyrics and sound. The album brings nothing new to the table, but that does not make it disappointing. Drake always delivers with heartfelt reflections on his past and the struggles that come with fame and fortune. There is not much growth from his previous album, Scorpion, and this newest album is predictable.
MTV Video Music Awards
In other music news this week, the MTV Video Music Awards are set to take place on September 12th at the Barclays Center in New York City at 5 PM PST. Doja Cat will host the awards show. So far, the performance lineup includes Justin Bieber, Jack Harlow, The Kid LAROI, Ozuna, Tainy, Olivia Rodrigo, Shawn Mendes, Kacey Musgraves, Machine Gun Kelly, Lil Nas X, Foo Fighters, Chlöe, and more unnamed artists. The headline VMA performance will be from Justin Bieber, as this is his first return to the live stage in six years.
This year’s awards will debut a newly redesigned Moon person statue from artist Kehinde Wiley. The awards show will also honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks by collaborating with the nonprofit 9/11 Day on a series of events to promote awareness and positive action around the day’s 20th anniversary.
The show will air live on MTV. The show will also be simulcast on CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land, VH1, and The CW.
Albums Releasing Today
Amyl and the Sniffers - Comfort To Me
Andrew W.K. - God Is Partying
Colleen Green - Cool
Common - A Beautiful Revolution Pt. 2
Diana Ross - Thank You
James Blake - Friends That Break Your Heart
Jazz Cartier - Fleur Print
Kacey Musgraves - Star-Crossed
King Krule - You Heat Me Up, You Cool Me Down [Live album]
Low - HEY WHAT
Matthew E. White - K Bay
Metallica - The Metallica Blacklist [Covers album- digital release]
Park Hye Jin - Before I Die
Pokey LaFarge - In The Blossom Of Their Shade
Saint Etienne - I've Been Trying To Tell You
Sarah Davachi - Antiphonals
Sleigh Bells - Texis
The Stranglers - Dark Matters
The Vaccines - Back In Love City
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