After a summer that saw the pop domination of BTS and Olivia Rodrigo, the long-awaited return of concerts, and a season-ending showdown between Kanye West and Drake, there is much more music to be pumped about this fall.
Here, the must-hear albums and must-see shows that are getting ready to rock your world.
Kacey Musgraves
“star-crossed,” Sept. 10
After her last LP, 2018’s “Golden Hour,” won the coveted Album of the Year Grammy, the country-pop star is thinking bigger with its follow-up: She’s simultaneously releasing a “star-crossed” film that will stream exclusively on Paramount+.
Lil Nas X
“Montero,” Sept. 17
Strangely enough, this is the first full-lengther by the rapper, who — despite already having two No. 1 hits, “Old Town Road” and “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” — had only previously released the 2019 EP “7.” And in addition to Lil Nas X’s new single “Industry Baby” with Jack Harlow, his debut LP features collaborations with Miley Cyrus, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat and even Elton John.
Maluma
Madison Square Garden, Oct. 1, www.msg.com for tickets
The Colombian sensation already headlined the Garden in 2019, and he’ll be bringing more reggaeton heat to the big house with his “Papi Juancho” Tour — named after his 2020 LP and his quarantine alter ego.
Harry Styles
Madison Square Garden, Oct. 3, 4, 16, 30 & 31, www.msg.com
The “Watermelon Sugar” stud kicked off his Love on Tour trek last weekend in Las Vegas, so you can be sure that he’ll be firmly in his hip-swerving concert groove when he hits the Garden for five shows next month.
Coldplay
“Music of the Spheres,” Oct. 15
The ninth album from Chris Martin’s blokes has mega-producer Max Martin at the helm, and the set has already been previewed by “Higher Power,” the fist-pumping first single, and “Coloratura,” a 10-minute-plus epic that closes the LP.
H.E.R., Maxwell and more
Barclays Center, Oct. 21 & 22, www.barclayscenter.com
Grammy-winning R&B songstress H.E.R. curated the Lights On Festival, which she will headline with neo-soul man Maxwell. Ari Lennox, Bryson Tiller, Chloe Bailey, Skip Marley and ’90s girl group SWV are also on the soulful lineup.
Ed Sheeran
“=,” Oct. 29
Having taken a well-deserved break, the singer-songwriter smoothly returned to his hitmaking ways with “Bad Habits” this summer. And there is surely more pop magic where that came from on “=” (pronounced “Equals”) — which, just in case you haven’t been keeping track, follows 2011’s “+,” 2014’s “x” and 2017’s “÷.”
Diana Ross
“Thank You,” Nov. 5
Miss Ross hasn’t released a studio album of original material since the last millennium, dropping “Every Day Is a New Day” back in 1999. But this 77-year-old legend put her quarantine to good use by recording this comeback LP at her home studio. And judging by new single “If the World Just Danced,” it’s a rousing return.
Abba
“Voyage,” Nov. 5
Joining Ross on the comeback trail is the Swedish pop royalty whose music inspired “Mamma Mia!” Forty years after their last studio album, 1981’s “The Visitors,” Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid have already dropped two new songs: “I Still Have Faith in You” and “Don’t Shut Me Down.”
Billy Joel
Madison Square Garden, Nov. 5 & Dec. 20, www.msg.com
In a sign that live music is truly coming back to life in New York, the Piano Man will resume his Garden residency, which, after beginning in 2014, last saw him tickling those ivories Feb. 20, 2020. Welcome home, Billy.
