September Release Roundup

While the weather has started getting a bit colder and the nights shorter - September has been one of the strongest months this year for releases. Here are some highlighted singles, EP’s and albums that came out over the past month.

Stormzy - Mel Made Me Do It

The word masterpiece isn’t to be used lightly, but in spite of it being out for less than a fortnight, Stormzy’s ‘Mel Made Me Do It’ is being hailed as one of the best UK music videos ever. With a seemingly limitless budget (despite YouTube stopping the video halfway through with annoying ads) on graphics, locations, and star studded cameos; the 10 minute production embodies all that Stormzy aims to represent, and has done so throughout his career. The track begins with him talking about his past struggles, before switching to a more braggadocio display that sheds light on all of his current successes. This is not as an insubstantial ego rub, mind, but as a display of appreciation for the audiences and the team that helped him reach the pedestal which he is on today.

The track then ends on a powerful monologue which gives a contemporary overview of the sheer effect that Stormzy, alongside his close community of cultural figures have had on society within race, and within the development of progressive mindsets. It’s a must watch video.

Courting - Guitar Music

One of the cleverest, boundary pushing albums of the year belongs to Liverpool’s Courting, whose endless train of sarcasm and existence outside of any box has found itself into the tangible format that is ‘Guitar Music’.

Their earlier work prior to the album, which funnily enough is more Guitar Music-y than anything on there, earned them their initial praises and platform via wit, charm, and a great ear for a catchy hook. For the album however, they have ripped up their blueprint to experiment with otherworldly soundscapes and a general glitchiness in sound throughout. In true Courting fashion, the writing is as entertaining as ever, as frontman Sean flits between sarcasm, social critique, and an overall distinctiveness in his interpretations of the modern world.

‘Guitar Music’ may still have a chance to reach the charts at the time of writing, so if anyone who may be reading this has a bit of spends left over - do them a favour and throw it their way. Failing that, you can stream the album now on all major platforms.

Loyle Carner - Nobody Knows (Ladas Road)

Loyle Carner’s next single from what is one of the most anticipated UK albums of the year is ‘Nobody Knows (Ladas Road)’. In the new material, the air of innocence that was present in his early work has been obliterated and replaced by a certain grit and anger, representing a more matured and weathered artist in Carner, as he continues his development into one of the UK’s most powerful rappers when it comes to matters closest to him. Family, race, identity and societal issues are laid out by Carner’s delivery which is emotional and to the bone with every lyric. The production itself is a lot rawer and heavy hitting too, which owes testament to producer kwes, who Carner worked on the album with.

The forthcoming album ‘Hugo’ is due on October 21st.

Ron Gallo - Entitled Man

Philadelphia’s Ron Gallo has signed with a label again to release his next body of work, which was announced this month alongside the track ‘Entitled Man’. The fierce independence of Gallo can only give testament to the quality of the label ‘Kill Rockstars’ to which he is signed, who promote an admirable artist friendly ethos.

The track itself is a return to Ron’s garage-rock roots following an era of hip hop/lo-fi productions. It’s great to hear him revisiting the style that drew listeners towards him in the first place, and from as soon as the opening riff kicks in it is clear that he’s blowing off steam which has been brewing for some time. Said steam is directed towards figures in positions of power, and their expectancy of things to go their way just because of a title they may possess. It’s a necessary track, which heightens anticipation of what is around the corner for Ron Gallo and his band.

Loose Articles - Chaos EP

Manchester’s Loose Articles’ first release under new label ‘Alcopop! Records’, is the EP ‘Chaos’.

Consisting of four tracks, including the namesake track ‘Chaos’, the re-released ‘Kick Like a Girl’ in celebration of England Women’s football success, ode to Halifax pub ‘Dirty Dicks Food & Ale Emporium’ and possible metaphor for society ‘Eggshells’; the EP is, in their own words “a satirical examination of the hazards of modern life—keyboard warriors, the death of the independent pub, sexist footy fans, and the hopelessness that the woman in the street often feels in the face of impending doom. Whilst politicians fly their private jets to climate change conferences only to sit around scratching their collective heads as to why it’s so warm in February, all that’s left to do is head to the nearest beer garden and watch the world burn.”

Sleater Kinney & Courtney Barnett - Words and Guitar

The essential alternative outfit Sleater Kinney are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their album ‘Dig Me Out’ by enlisting the help of a number of artists to produce cover versions of songs from the album. For the track ‘Words and Guitar’ they invited none other than Courtney Barnett to contribute her interpretation of the track. It’s a great marrying of the two artists; where the original is thrashy and chaotic, this version is more concise and measured, as Barnett takes a signature laidback approach to the vocals to give a unique spin on the song, doing it more than justice.

The full album is due on October 21st featuring covers from the likes of St. Vincent, Wilco and Self Esteem.

The Silver Bars - So It Goes

The Silver Bars are a growing alternative five piece from Barrow, UK who have been consistently releasing singles while playing to packed out venues since 2019. Their latest single ‘So It Goes’ is one of their most impressive yet. The immediate energy of the track doesn’t let up throughout; as fun, original lyricism sits atop watertight instrumentation that does very well to keep pace amidst the ramped up BPM.

It’s a very cleverly composed track that is hopefully just the beginning of things to come for The Silver Bars.

Billy Nomates - balance is gone

This month, electro-punk sensation Billy Nomates announced that her second album ‘CACTI’ is set to be released in January 2023, following her 2020 debut which was a lockdown highlight for many. In light of the album news, she released the first single from the album ‘balance is gone’.

Continuing with her now coined style of angsty, lyrically sardonic melodies over relentlessly driven bass lines and hypnotic synth work, ‘balance is gone’ is a welcome addition to her catalogue. If you were searching for some stylistic newness in this fresh era for Billy Nomates, it would appear that a guitar takes more presence as opposed to the synth/bass leads of previous work. Whether this slight change in instrumentation will be a common theme throughout ‘CACTI’ remains to be seen - but rest assured it will be a great release to kick things off with in 2023.

Fred again… - Bleu (better with time)

After years of cutting his teeth behind the scenes as an esteemed producer/songwriter for the likes of Ed Sheeran, George Ezra and AJ Tracey, Fred again’s work began to gain as much popularity as his peers in 2021. Through coining a style that makes use of random, amateur recorded sounds over euphoric dance beats and melancholic instrumentation, he has toured the world to perform for his fanbase which has quickly amassed into the multi millions.

The third album by Fred again… ‘Actual Life 3’ is due for release on October 28th via Atlantic Records.

Did we miss any great releases from September? Let us know on social media (@auxdotapp) if we missed any of your favourites or just tell us what you think of our selection! Thanks for reading.