Barbra Streisand “Partners” — Sept. 16
Babs caught our attention when she joined Instagram last month and now the classic chanteuse is bringing an army of friends to the table for “Partners,” her first studio album since 2011. Streisand will be joined by Michael Bublé, John Legend and Elvis. Yes, Elvis.
Erasure “The Violet Flame” — Sept. 23
After delivering a Yuletide collection in 2013, Andy Bell and Vince Clarke packed away Christmas and headed down to Miami to record another symphonic synthpop studio album.
Prince “Art Official Age” and “PLECTRUMELECTRUM” — Sept. 30
Thirty years after releasing the ubiquitous “Purple Rain,” Prince is dropping two albums this fall. First the long-touted “PLECTRUMELECTRUM,” an album featuring his all-female backing band, 3rd Eye Girl. If early tracks are any indication, the album is quite abstract, but don’t fret, fans of classic Prince should check out “Art Official Age” which is being described as a more proper solo album.
Stevie Nicks “24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault” — Oct. 7
After guest starring as the witchy woman on last season’s American Horror Story, Stevie Nicks goes back to the vault for unrecorded fan favorites from the ’60s through the ’90s for this fall’s 24 Karat Gold. Two singles (“The Dealer” and “Lady”) have been released and while the CD will see a physical and digital release in October, fans can get a special double vinyl edition Sept. 30.
Mary Lambert “Heart on my Sleeve” — Oct. 14
If there’s one artist to watch this fall, it’s Mary Lambert. Lambert provided the hook on the Macklemore & Ryan Lewis marriage equality monster-hit “Same Love” and has shared all of her business with lead single “Secrets.” But what’s more impressive is that we have an openly queer musician talking about things in pop music that no one has talked about yet and for that Lambert deserves all of our support.