Here are the best albums dropping this November. The Mercury Prize might have been last month, but there’s some real corkers set for this month, too.
Alicia Keys – Santa Baby, 4 November
Is it that time of the year already? Alicia Keys certainly reckons it is, with the 15-time GRAMMY winner releasing her first ever holiday album. The lead single, ‘December Back 2 June’, released last week in, er, October, is out now. As far as Christmas tunes go, it’s a bit of a banger.
Connie Constance – Miss Power, 4 November
Watford singer-songwriter with one of the most joyously alliterative names in music, Connie Constance, is dropping her second album. 12-track Miss Power follows 2019’s English Rose, and follows an impressive year for the singer, who’s supported both Patti Smith and Nova Twins.
Drake & 21 Savage – Her Loss, 4 November
We’ve had to wait a little longer than originally planned for Drake and 21 Savage’s highly-anticipated collaborative album, Her Loss – but in truth that’s only made us want it more. Apparently, the delay was due to one of Drake’s production team contracting COVID. But honestly, nevermind: October’s loss is November’s gain. And we don’t have to wait much longer now.
First Aid Kit – Palomino, 4 November
Swedish folk duo singers Johanna and Klara Söderberg, aka First Aid Kit, will be dropping their fifth LP this November. Their track ‘Angel’, released earlier this year, was their first new music in three years and has been followed by three singles since, which form the glorious first taste to Palomino.
Black Eyed Peas – ELEVATION, 11 November
So they might not be without Fergie, who departed in 2017 to focus on “being a mom” (which is more than fair enough), and they might even now be slightly cringe, but a Black Eyed Peas release is still worth shouting about. Their new single, ‘Simply The Best’, in collaboration with Brazilian pop superstar Anitta and Dominican rapper El Alfa already reminds us of their dancefloor-filling ways – and gives us a flavour of their ninth studio album.
Bruce Springsteen – Only The Strong Survive, 11 November
The veteran on this list, Bruce Springsteen will be releasing his 21st (yes, 21st) studio album this month. The Boss, who made a superb surprise addition to Paul McCartney’s headline Glasto set earlier this year, has said he wanted to make an album that does justice to “the great American songbook of the Sixties and Seventies”. As such, this is an album of covers.
Lila Drew – All the Places I Could Be, 11 November
A self-described “pop cynic who makes pop music”, London-born and LA-raised Lila Drew is releasing her debut album this month. Written primarily between the ages of 18 and 20, it’s billed as a coming-of-age record about trying to not take yourself too seriously during times of exploration and uncertainty. It’s so far been teased by intriguing tracks ‘Bad Juice’ and ‘Lila’s Theme’.
Louis Tomlinson – Faith In The Future, 11 November
Another on this list where I can hear the groans of the snobs. He might not have hit the heights of One Direction golden boy Harry Styles, but he’s still got something about him – and is by no means the worse of the bunch (ahem, Liam). Plus his releases ahead of the album, ‘Bigger Than Me’ and ‘Out Of My System’ wouldn’t be immediately switched off by most people – and he held his own indie festival earlier this year. Faith In The Future deserves even a cursory listen.
Nas – King’s Disease III, 11 November
Nas and Hit-Boy are following their 2021 collaborative project Magic with the third instalment of King’s Disease. At the release party for last year’s King’s Disease II, Hit-Boy delivered a thinly-veiled diss at his former collaborator Kanye West. I wonder what he might have to say now – he certainly has more ammo.
Offset – BLAME IT ON SET, 11 November
Quavo and Takeoff might have had their moment in the spotlight last month, with their collaborative album, but now Offset gets his – and it shines on him and him alone. The Atlanta rapper’s sophomore solo album has actually been described as just the start of his “personal” new chapter. If lead single ‘54321’ (which was produced by Baby Keem) is anything to go by, it’s triumphant.
Roddy Ricch – Feed Tha Streets III, 18 November
Another on the list to offer the third instalment of their series, Roddy Ricch’s next album comes four years after the previous in the Feed The Streets range. With its cover art depicting a Thanksgiving style setup, expect a Ricch feast for the ears.
Dolly Parton – Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits, 18 November
Spanning from 1971 through 2020, this greatest hits compilation also features new liner notes from respected author and journalist Robert K. Oermann – who has already collaborated with Parton on her 2020 book, Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics. It makes for an ideal Christmas gift for any country music fan – if you need to start thinking early.
Röyksopp – Profound Mysteries III, 18 November
The third and final instalment of the Norwegian electronic duo’s Profound Mysteries series, this 10-track record features collaborations with Alison Goldfrapp, fellow Norski Susanne Sundfør and more.
Weyes Blood – And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow, 18 November
The follow-up to Weyes Blood’s (aka Natalie Mering’s) acclaimed 2019 album Titanic Rising, comes And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow – a folk album that’s as celestial as its creator. Don’t take that from me. Ahead of the album, Mering has said: “We’re in a fully functional shit show. My heart is a glow stick that’s been cracked, lighting up my chest in an explosion of earnestness.” Bring on the album, I say.
Stormzy – This Is What I Mean, 25 November
Talk about saving the best till last. This one’s a huge album – and without a doubt one of the most anticipated of the year. Stormzy already made an impress comeback announcement, with his beautiful, bold ‘Mel Made Me Do It’ (and accompanying, José Mourinho-featuring video). If that, and further loved-up single ‘Hide & Seek’ are anything to go by, it’ll be an album that lives up to its considerable hype.
