If we had to describe the album releases happening in August, we'd say they're different than usual, but not at all boring. It's that chill time of summer where everyone's already done big stuff in July, and are now prepping for more of the big stuff come September. Predictably, the album releases for August are also chill. No big powerhouse superstars, no LPs that are going to break the internet or cause massive tours that send Ticketmaster into a frenzy.
But that doesn't mean you shouldn't care about the LPs dropping this month. Besides a couple of more established music-makers, this is a huge period for growing indie artists and other stars who are gaining traction. Once August is over, you're going to learn the names of several musicians you didn't know when the month began. Below are 10 albums dropping in August that we're eager to let surprise us. All the LPs below have been listed in order of their release date.
Rocket Power - Quavo
On August 4th, Quavo will drop his latest project Rocket Power. It comes not too long after the death of his fellow Migos member, Takeoff. He was shot and killed in Houston last year. Get it? Rocket Power? Rockets TAKE OFF into outer space? A wonderful album title to honor his fallen brother. The single "Greatness" – which went viral on YouTube back in February – is a tribute to the late hip-hop artist. It will be included on Rocket Power when it drops.
Besides "Greatness," Quavo has also released the tunes "Turn Yo Clic Up (feat. Future)," "Without You," and "Honey Bun." We're most excited for the song "Alicia Keys" which actually features the late Takeoff, as well as Don Toliver.
Sundial - Noname
So back in July, we reported R&B up-and-comer Noname would be dropping her next album, Sundial, that month. We were wrong! Instead, the artist decided to push the release until this month, and also shared a proper release date, August 11.
Additionally, she's dropped a full tracklist and has promoted a single called "balloons," featuring Jay Electronica and Eryn Allen Kane. Additionally, Sundial will include features from Common, billy woods, $ilkmoney, Jimetta Rose, and Ayoni.
Struggler - Genesis Owusu
Genesis Owusu is a rising Ghanaian-Australian hip-hop/funk artist that recently opened for Paramore on their North American tour. On August 18, he will be dropping his sophomore album Struggler. The album will be supported with a world tour, across North America, Europe, and Australia between October and December.
In a press statement about the album, Owusu said, "The struggler runs through an absurd world with no 'where' or 'why' at hand. Just an instinctual inner rhythm, yelling at them to survive the pestilence and lightning bolts coming from above. A roach just keeps roaching." We've really enjoyed his singles "Leaving the Light" and "Tied Up!" so far.
Unreal Unearth - Hozier
The "Take Me to Church" singer has a new LP out on August 18. It will be his third studio effort and will contain his recent singles "Eat Your Young," "Francesca," and the song "All Things End." He'll also tour the UK and North America in support of the record from June to November.
It seems like every artist made something during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Unreal Unearth was Hozier's project. He's stated it was his way of "mak[ing] sense of the experience of the last two years", and was inspired by Dante's Inferno, which he began reading at the time. The album is framed around Dante's concept of the nine circles of Hell. Hozier's called the album "quite eclectic" and stated there is "something of a retrospective in what the sounds lean into."
World Music Radio - Jon Batiste
We all remember when Jon Batiste's last album, We Are gained that surprise Album of the Year Grammy win in 2021. And it rightfully deserved it. Now, Jon Batiste has his next project, World Music Radio, due for an August 18 release. It has been preceded by the funky single “Calling Your Name,” which brings all the nostalgic 80s and summer night vibes. There's also the soul-hydrating "Drink Water," which will calm and energize you at the same time.
The former Late Show bandleader has said about the record, "I created this album with a feeling of liberation in my life and a renewed sense of exploration of my personhood, my craft and of the world around me unlike anything I had ever felt before.” We hope he scores another Grammy from it!
I Told Them... - Burna Boy
This Grammy-winning Nigerian artist is making his return this month! I Told Them… will be his follow up to 2022’s Love, Damini, and arrives on August 24. Burna Boy's been breaking a plethora of records these days – including being the first African musician to sell out a United States stadium show and the first Nigerian artist to headline Madison Square Garden.
Not much is known about I Told Them... but we do have the slick and bright track "Big 7" to give us a preview. It's definitely catchy enough to get stuck in your head for days. The music video features Wu-Tang Clan's RZA, Busta Rhymes, Junior Mafia, and actor Shameik Moore.
Road - Alice Cooper
Everyone's favorite metal rocker (including Wayne and Garth's from Wayne's World) is back with a new LP! Road will drop on August 25 and will be the artist's twenty-second solo project. It was recorded live in the studio by Cooper and his touring band — guitarists Nita Strauss, Ryan Roxie and Tommy Henriksen, bassist Chuck Garric, and drummer Glen Sobel.
The album was announced on June 14, 2023, alongside the release of the lead single "I'm Alice." Cooper has also dropped the single "White Line Frankenstein." Cooper has explained Road will be a guitar-driven LP with a concept of what happens on the road while driving. For the album, Cooper showcased the power of his live band and intended for them to be "involved in the foundation of all the songs". He insisted on no overdubs as the "whole idea of this album is showing off how good this band is live."
Weedkiller - Ashnikko
Ashnikko is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter who rose to fame in 2019 with her single "Stupid," which went viral on TikTok. On August 25, she's dropping her debut studio album Weedkiller. It comes after her 2021 mixtape Demidevil, and is currently supported by five singles: "You Make Me Sick!", "Worms," "Weedkiller," "Possesion of a Weapon," and "Cheerleader."
The concept behind this project is very creative. It's been described in press materials as being "a commentary on environmental disaster and the rapid evolution of technology" that tells "the story of a fae civilization occupied and destroyed by machines that feed on organic matter where the faerie protagonist seeks revenge by becoming part machine." We love how her brand of pop has a dark, crazy sound with bubblegum-y vocals. We're calling it now: Weedkiller's going to be a hit.
Standing Room Only - Tim McGraw
Legendary country king Tim McGraw releases his next record on August 25. It's called Standing Room Only and we can't get enough of the touching, existential title track McGraw has kindly released as a single. We're eager to see if the rest of the album is just as heart-wrenching. After all, McGraw has said the album contains "some of the most emotional, thought-provoking, and life-affirming music I've ever recorded."
Standing Room Only is McGraw's sixteenth studio effort and has been in-progress since 2020. It was produced by McGraw and Byron Gallimore. Besides the title track, McGraw has also released the poignant tune "Hey Whiskey" as a single. Kind of like Mac DeMarco and his vice of smoking on "Ode to Viceroy", McGraw sings an open letter to alcohol and his love-hate relationship with drinking it.
Jaguar II - Victoria Monét
Finally, August 25 gives us Jaguar II by up-and-coming American singer-songwriter Victoria Monét. Monét started her career penning songs for Nas, Ariana Grande, Blackpink, Fifth Harmony, T.I., GOOD Music, Lupe Fiasco, Chrisette Michele, Coco Jones, Chris Brown, and Dirty Money. She's since built a successful solo career, and was even announced as Apple Music's Up Next artist back in 2020.
That same year, she released the first part of her Jaguar series. Jaguar II has been supported with three singles: "Smoke" with Lucky Daye, the reggae-influenced "Party Girls" with Buju Banton, and "On My Mama." We can only describe her funky, psychedelic R&B bangers as "fantastical" and "juicy." August 25th can't come soon enough, because we're excited to hear more from this rising star!
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Article Image: Burna Boy performing at Ziggo Dome in 2022. (Ben Houdijk via Shutterstock.)
