Fall Albums We Can't Wait to Hear

Five long years after their Danger Mouse-assisted Pieces of the People We Love, the New York dance-punk maestros are back; early tracks like ”How Deep Is Your Love?” signal an excellently jittery return. Sept.6

Memo to Dr. Dre, whose long-promised album we’ve been waiting on for 12(!) years: This is country legend Strait’s 39th album, and the title track (co-written by his son, Bubba) is his 89th single. Sept. 6

Debbie Harry & Co. reconvene for their ninth disc, bringing along some fresh production blood courtesy of studio hands who also helmed hits for the Killers and Paramore. Sept. 13

The pint-size Broadway star and beloved Glee guest goes a little bit country, singing songs penned by Diane Warren — lead single ”I Want Somebody (Bitch About)” — and Dolly Parton, among others. Sept. 13

At 85, the legendary crooner’s still got it. The follow-up to his 2007 Grammy winner features Lady Gaga, John Mayer, Aretha Franklin, Carrie Underwood, and more (including, sadly, Amy Winehouse?s final recording before her death in July). Sept. 20

Proving there’s life after Disney, the teen queen recently scored big with her defiant post-rehab single ”Skyscraper.” Her all-star production team here includes Timbaland, Ryan Tedder, Rock Mafia, and Missy Elliott. Sept. 20

The trio’s first album in eight years (which is several decades in pop-punk time) comes two years after they got back together, and marks their first adventure in self-production. Sept. 27

Original bassist Michael Steele has departed, but the girl-rock icons’ eternal flame still burns; they’re back with their first release in seven years. The initial single, ”I’ll Never Be Through With You,” floats on pretty harmonies and slide guitar. Sept.27

The seventh full-length from Iceland’s most beloved sprite melds the future (it will be available via a series of iPad apps) with the past (the leaked tracks suggest Björk has dusted off her copies of her own ’90s benchmarks Debut and Post). Sept. 27

The sequel to Blige’s heartache-chronicling 1994 disc finds the soul singer in a happier place. Still, expect to hear some pain and struggle over cuts produced by Kanye West and Swizz Beatz among others. Oct. 4

Thanks in part to a ubiquitous, candy-colored Apple ad, the Canadian songstress ”1234”’d her way into a major pop culture moment with 2007 breakout The Reminder. Her latest batch of delicate indie-pop mood swings is a little less buoyant, but it’s lovely nonetheless. Oct. 4

The American Idol victor spreads his preternaturally resonant voice across his first full-length, recorded while on the Idols Live! Tour and produced by Mark Bright (Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts). Oct. 4

She may have lost to Scotty, but Idol‘s 10th-season runner-up has her own thing going; she’s teamed up with producer Byron Gallimore (Tim McGraw, Faith Hill) to make her debut country strong. Oct. 11

Recorded in Nashville with producer Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Alice in Chains), this gothic rock set — the Arkansas outfit’s first in five years — ?offers a more aggressive turn for them, both musically and lyrically. Oct. 11

The JoBro stands alone! His Chris Brown-penned lead single, breakup cut ”See No More,” is a slow burner. But with Rob Knox and Danja producing, Jonas promises that this dance-oriented disc will make fans forget his pop-rock past. Oct. 11

Chris Martin once joked that bands should call it quits once everybody turns 33, but the now-34-year-old frontman soldiers on. Pronounced MY-lo ZE-lo-to, their follow-up to 2008’s multiplatinum Grammy winner Viva La Vida features the already-beloved single ”Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall” and, once again, production help from avant-rock icon Brian Eno. The Oct. 25 release will also come in a limited-edition ”pop-up” version featuring excerpts from the band’s studio diary.

The Canadian crooner’s aptly titled holiday album includes ”Blue Christmas,” ”All I Want for Christmas Is You,” a duet with Shania Twain on ”White Christmas,” and a new original track. Oct. 25

The (yep!) fourth album from the fiery country star features guest spots by many of Lambert’s friends and heroes, including her husband, Blake Shelton, but brash lead single ”Baggage Claim” proves the lady has not been tamed by wedded bliss. Nov. 1

After multiple false starts and an endless parade of singles, the Pussycat Doll?turned?solo artist and X Factor judge finally has her Killer slate set, featuring input from Snoop Dogg and Lady Gaga beat master RedOne. Nov. 15

The sauve London hitmaker (”Break Your Heart,” ”Dynamite”) returns to shake more Top 40 booties. Dr. Luke, David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia, and RedOne bring their considerable production skills to the party. Nov. TBA

The Brit siren’s much-anticipated sophomore album was produced by Paul Epworth (Adele), who recently tweeted that it ”sounds live in ways and like a machine in others, with sensitivity and power from both the music and Flo’s voice.” In other words, as eclectic as Florence herself. Nov. TBA

Would you expect any less from La Glambert than guylinered, big-lunged belters with titles like ”Outlaws of Love”? Look for that and more on the follow-up to the eighth-season Idol silver medalist’s brash 2009 debut, For Your Entertainment. Nov. TBA

Überproducer Mutt Lange twiddled the knobs on the Canadian powerhouse’s 2008 release Dark Horse, but they’ll take the reigns themselves for their seventh album, recorded primarily at frontman Chad Kroeger’s studio in Vancouver. Nov. TBA

We loved last year’s hit-packed Loud, so we were psyched when Ryan Seacrest announced her new fall album on his radio show in June. It turns out things aren?t quite that simple — the singer’s own tweets (”The #LOUDera continues with more new music to add to ur collection!!!”) hint that the ”new” disc may in fact be a Loud expansion, à la Lady Gaga’s The Fame and The Fame Monster. But her reps confirm that she’s been busy recording fresh material while on the road, so stay tuned.