September is shaping up to be an incredible month for music.
We’ve got debut albums from two of the UK’s most hyped young artists, new material from alt-rock legends, some intriguing London jazz and plenty more besides.
What’s more, many of the artists set to release new records this month are also due to play live in London soon — we’ve included all the confirmed dates below.
Here are 10 albums that need to be on your radar in September.
The London gigs you need to know about in September
Bat for Lashes — Lost Girls (September 6)
Natasha Khan returns with her first Bat For Lashes record in three years. It was initially conceived as a film soundtrack and counts 80s pop and vampire movies among its influences.
Post Malone — Hollywood’s Bleeding (September 6)
Post Malone has always been more than just a rapper and looks set to expand his palette on this new album. Circles, the third single released from it, sees him dip his toes into dream pop waters.
Mahalia — Love and Compromise (September 6)
It’s been a long time coming, but Mahalia is finally about to drop her debut album, building on years of hype and drip-fed music. It might just make her R&B’s next star.
Where to see them live: Roundhouse, November 25
Charli XCX — Charli (September 13)
Charli XCX is calling in a few favours from pop music’s finest on her latest album — expect cameos from the likes of Troye Sivan, Christine and the Queens, Lizzo, Haim and Clairo.
Where to see them live: O2 Academy Brixton, October 31
Jenny Hval — The Practice of Love (September 13)
Inspired by the 1985 Norwegian film of the same name, Jenny Hval returns with more esoteric pop music on this latest release. Check out the synth-heavy singles Ashes to Ashes and High Alice for a taste of things to come.
Where to see them live: Milton Court Concert Hall, September 29
Pixies — Beneath the Eyrie (September 13)
The alt-rock game-changers return with the third album of their second coming, following on from 2014’s Indie Cindy and Head Carrier in 2016.
Where to see them live: Alexandra Palace, September 20
Sam Fender — Hypersonic Missiles (September 13)
It’s rare for an artist to get quite so huge without releasing an album, but Sam Fender — the Springsteen-channeling guitarist from North Shields — has done just that. Expect things to continue skywards when this full-length debut drops.
Where to see them live: O2 Academy Brixton, December 10 and 11
Liam Gallagher — Why Me? Why Not (September 20)
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The former Oasis and Beady Eye frontman is enjoying a renewed vigour as a solo artist, and follows up his chart-topping debut album with this release. The title is inspired by two paintings by John Lennon.
Where to see them live: The O2, November 28 and 29
Joe Armon-Jones — Turn to Clear View (September 20)
One of the most prolific members of the London jazz scene, Joe Armon-Jones is always popping up on stage to play keys at other people’s gigs, but steps back into the limelight with his second album.
Where to see them live: EartH, September 11
Kanye West — Jesus is King (September 27)
Nothing has been officially confirmed yet, but if this post from Kim Kardashian West is to be believed, it looks as if a new Kanye album — called Jesus is King — will arrive on September 27. As is always the case with Ye, expect a few twists and turns between now and then.