Fistful of Mercy – As I Call You Down

The term super group is thrown around a lot. Some groups of amazing musicians deserve that title when they come together, and others seem like a lot of hype. Fistful of Mercy are definitely part of the former group. Made up of Dhani Harrison (George Harrison’s son), Ben Harper, and Joseph Arthur, together the threesome are promising to reinvigorate rock music and bring back that big collaborative sound ala The Traveling Wilburys. If any three musicians could do just that, it’s surely this super super group. -Chris Coplan
Out now via HOT Records

“Fistful of Mercy”

Marnie Stern – Marnie Stern

Her last album had 31 words in its title, but it looks like Marnie Stern is ready to strip it down on her new, self-titled effort. Lead single, “For Ash”, may have showcased the frantic, spastic Stern that we’ve come to know and love, but the album’s second leaked track, “Transparency is the New Mystery”, finds softening up, even singing, “It’s not enough…I’m not enough.” In fact, Stern herself describes the album as “direct and honest and real,” adding that, “I’m no longer taking cover under guitar lines or yelping vocals.” -Ray Roa
Out now via Kill Rock Stars

“For Ash”

Belle and Sebastian – Write About Love

Belle & Sebastian’s Write About Love, the Scottish group’s eighth studio album, is already a success to many fans if only because it has drawn them out for a nationwide tour. What else do we now know about the record? Well, we’ve heard the title track/first single, a fun distraction but not quite the meaty material many fans hoped for, or maybe just me. But it sound’s exactly as expected and Stuart Murdoch is a top-tier songwriter, so there is little worry that at least a few of the tunes he penned for the album will find their way into the double CD Belle & Sebastian mega-mix that you keep revising. The record also adds two guest collaborators to the collective, Carey Mulligan, the young girl from An Education from the Oscars last year, and Norah Jones, who… uh… do I need to introduce Norah Jones? Stevie Jackson also penned a track and Sarah Martin takes over for two numbers, keeping with tradition of having many voices heard throughout their collections. -Phil Cosores
October 12th via Matador

“Write About Love”

The Orb featuring David Gilmour – Metallic Spheres

Even though all the attention David Gilmour received this year has been due to his reunion with Roger Waters, it doesn’t mean there aren’t other projects on the way. The Pink Floyd-guitarist will take a step towards the electronic this fall when he joins The Orb on their upcoming album, Metallic Spheres. Consisting of Alex Paterson and producer Youth, the duo’s 10th album will warrant extra attention for more reasons than just a famous guest star. The record is set to be released not only by the usual means, but also as a “double CD” which features something called a “3D60 mix” that allows for 3D sound. No clue what that means, but it could be cool as long as we don’t need to wear those damn glasses. -Joe Marvilli
October 12th via Columbia

Sufjan Stevens – The Age of Adz

It’s unfortunate that this album has sailed directly into a critical perfect storm. Age Of Adz has both follow-up-itis and the indie blogosphere at work against it. We know it’s “challenging” and “digital” and “has auto-tune” on it. Personally, I’ve listened to it several times and think it’s quite a glorious mess. Pretend you live with Sufjy and you come home one day and he just throws all of his shit everywhere, all over the apartment. He’s sitting on the back porch in a bath-robe drinking an ice-tea out of one of those dual-layer insulated cups and he yells “Clean that shit up!” and you start to do it but then you realized there are brilliant gold shekels hidden between his dirty laundry and spilled boxes of cereal. So, we recommend this album based on its scope, its daunting nature, its confusing attack/capitulation to the status quo of digital music, and cause it’s Sufjan Stevens. He makes good music. -Jeremy Larson
October 12th via Asthmatic Kitty

“Too Much”

Kings of Leon – Come Around Sundown

Undoubtedly, some older Kings of Leon fans spent much of Only by the Night suffering through tracks like “Use Somebody” and “Sex on Fire”. Perhaps in a way to address this and let everyone get back to having some down-home fun, the Followill boys are continuing their world domination campaign with Come Around Sundown. With the rumbling, rootsy-with-a-spin first single, not to mention with ad-libbed lyrics to give it a sense of spontaneity, the band could be seemingly returning to some of their more countrified, and humbler, beginnings. Although, go ahead and continue to play “Sex on Fire”, fellas; the ladies still love that one. -Chris Coplan
October 19th via RCA Records

“Radioactive”

Bryan Ferry – Olympia

If you want to pay homage to someone who inspired you, it’s most customary to just cover one of their songs live or name a song after them or something. But for Flea, Jonny Greenwood, David Gilmour, Mani of Primal Scream, Groove Armada, and the Scissor Sisters, they are showing up and helping a mentor out on his first solo album in years. Not to mention Brian Eno is helping out and the bulk of the original Roxy Music lineup is coming back for the record, and Kate Moss is on the cover! Their first song from the album is a pure gem. A formidable songwriter and glam genesis is back and Olympia demands a listen. -Jeremy Larson
October 26th via Astralwerks

“Promo Video”

Ghostland Obsevatory – Codename: Rondo

While 2008′s Robotique Majestique was nothing to write home about, the inane little title track for Ghostland Observatory’s upcoming fourth album Codename: Rondo promises at least that the Austin duo is exploring new territory. The band is close to icon status in Texas, and is gaining popularity throughout the rest of the States on the strength of its live show. This album might be the one to make or break Ghostland Observatory on the national scene. -Harry Painter
October 26th via Trashy Moped Recordings

“Codename: Rondo”

Kylesa – Spiral Shadow

Despite having been together for almost a decade, Savannah, Ga. metal-giants Kylesa continue to push the envelope of what metal should sound like. Utilizing very non-metal instruments like bells and mellotrons, Kylesa are clearly looking to expand on the sound they explored on last year’s Static Tensions. The new album’s first single ,“Tired Climb”, is a three-and-a-half minute aural assault that will leave your begging for more, and guitarist/vocalist Laura Pleasants said “I want [the album] to be a mind fuck…it’s fucking my mind right now.” If that’s not enough to get you excited, a limited edition Dikipak with 3D artwork and a bonus DVD should get you off your computer and into a record store ASAP. -Ray Roa
October 26th via Season of Mist

Warpaint – The Fool

Los Angeles has swung the eyes of music lovers to their sunny territory this year, with milestone albums from Local Natives, No Age, Best Coast, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Grafitti and Wavves. But it’s the release from Los Angeles’ darlings Warpaint that could top them all. The Fool, out October 26th, features nine cuts, primarily produced and mixed by Tom Biller (Liars, Jon Brion, Sean Lennon). But this is all just an excuse to tour more, right? If first single “Undertow” is any indicator, they might be just as good in studio as on stage. Possibly even better. -Phil Cosores
October 26th via Rough Trade

“Undertow”

Ray Davies – See My Friends

This album has been whispered about it seems for more than a year, with Davies being spotted around artists ranging from Spoon to Metallica. The 14-track effort features classic Kinks songs, covered by other artists, but featuring Davies. Spoon gets the title track, Alex Chilton sees post-humonous material turning-up, and other featured players include Mumford & Sons, The Boss, Bon Jovi and Black Francis. We can’t wait. -Phil Cosores
November 1st via Universal

Brian Eno – Small Craft on a Milk Sea

Brian Eno is a legend, and don’t you forget about it. There’d be no ambient electronic music to veg out to if it weren’t for the Roxy Music veteran. But for this album, the master pulls in some younger talent in the form of two young composers named Leo Abrahams and Jon Hopkins. While Eno has done his share of innovating, he promised that this record would see the trio make spontaneous, organic electronic music, something you wouldn’t expect from such a mechanical genre. Of course, when you’re dealing with a guy like Eno, it’s hard not to expect the unexpected. -Chris Coplan
November 2nd via Warp Records

Elvis Costello – National Ransom

Elvis Costello has been around for so long, and made so much good music, that we almost don’t even have to sell this one to you. But here goes anyway. Recorded in Nashville in early 2010, Costello worked with famed country and western producer T-Bone Burnett. Don’t expect a huge change from Costello, who for the last few albums has been steadily experimenting with country, bluegrass, and Americana music. There, how’s that for a sale pitch? -Chris Coplan
November 2nd via Hear Music

Matt & Kim – Sidewalks

Though it’s only been a year since Grand, it should be no surprise that Matt & Kim’s boundless energy onstage remains when it comes to studio work as well. Sidewalks looks to follow in their breakthrough’s footsteps, offering up the very best bouncy pop possible. Their first single, “Cameras,” combines hip hop beats with sailing synths, making for a funky first single. Expect many more days dancing with your headphones on when the record drops this fall. -Joe Marvilli
November 2nd via Fader Label

“Camera”

Cee-Lo – The Lady Killer

For his first post Gnarls Barkley effort, Cee Lo Green is broadcasting one message loud and clear: “Fuck You“. This initial release may sound a bit vulgar, but tracks like “I Want You” hint at a seductively-smooth 60′s funk sound. And Cee-Lo is backing the album with a pretty big promise, calling The Lady Killer the album of his life. An album capable of putting the infamous wedding dress image to rest, and resurrecting Cee-Lo as 2010′s most definitive vocalist. -Derek Staples
November 9th via Atlantic

“Fuck You”

Kid Cudi – Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager

Despite the album’s delays, we can safely say that the sophomore effort of Kid Cudi is one we’re truly looking forward to. Whether it’s the boatload of tracks either released or leak that feature either Kanye West or, gasp, Mr. Solo Dolo rapping once again or that we’ve slipped and fallen on our heads and truly subscribe to the naive notion that good things come to those who wait, this reportedly party-hardy record is going to be one to jam out to for the end of the year. If it comes on time, that is. -Chris Coplan
November 9th via G.O.O.D Music

“Erase Me” (feat. Kanye West)

Rihanna – Loud

Quick: Without looking, can you guess how many albums Rihanna has released? It’s kind of absurd how quickly the Barbadian singer has risen to the top. Next month, Loud, her next batch of endless radio hits, arrives in stores — her fifth album in six short years as a recording artist. While you can expect her latest LP not to sound like the other pop queens lighting up the charts these days, last month’s release “Only Girl (In the World)” does latch onto the trend of electronic hip-hop that’s been dominating the airwaves. -Harry Painter
November 16th via Def Jam

“Only Girl (In the World)”

Stereolab – Not Music

You’ve got to hand it to Stereolab. Despite the fact that they’ve been on an indefinite hiatus since mid-2009, the band is still putting out a full-length album of unreleased material. Recorded during the sessions for 2008′s Chemical Chords, the 13-track record will feature an Atlas Sound remix as its closing track. Given that their last LP was pretty well-received, it’ll be cool to see what they left on the cutting room floor. Better enjoy while it lasts though. This may be the last we see from Stereolab as a whole for a while. -Joe Marvilli
November 16th via Drag City

Daft Punk – Tron: Legacy Soundtrack

Most of what you’ve heard from Daft Punk’s Tron: Legacy film score hasn’t actually been made by Daft Punk. But the legit stuff that has come out has been mouth-watering. And maybe it’s tunnel vision, but we have to imagine a fairly large percentage of people will watch the film just to hear the new Daft Punk music — it will be the French duo’s first original material in five years, after all. The soundtrack comes out just before Thanksgiving, and will likely dilute the true meaning of the holiday for many a music fan this year. -Harry Painter
November 22nd via Disney

Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

For as much as the Chicago MC has dominated headlines of late, the fact of the matter remains: we don’t really know much about his forthcoming fifth LP. Only in the past 24 hours has the rapper confirmed its title and November 22nd release date. The rest of what we know is this: previously unveiled singles “Power” and “Runaway”, future single “All The Lights”, and album opener “Dark Fantasy” will be included on the tracklist, as will several unnamed songs from his currently ongoing G.O.O.D. Friday campiagn. As for contributors, Madlib, Q-Tip, DJ Premier, and RZA are all said to have had a hand in production, while names like Kid Cudi, Nicki Minaj, Pusha T, and Big Sean could appear in the featuring section. There should also be some crazy ass artwork and a full-length feature film included in the packing as well. Oh, and a collaborative EP with Jay-Z too. Consequence of Kanye, indeed. -Alex Young
November 22nd via Def Jam

“Runaway” (feat. Pusha T)