5 of the Most Anticipated Albums We Can't Wait to Hear this Fall

Fall is one of the most exciting times of the year when it comes to music. It's often the time when big name artists release new albums; though little is confirmed this year due to the ongoing pandemic. Still, as we know, some pop stars love a surprise release (we're looking at you Beyonce and Taylor) while others announce new projects just a week ahead of its release (thanks, Kacey Musgraves!).

With just a few months left in the year, we expect some huge artists to drop albums. The list below features just five albums we're looking forward to checking out this fall, which also includes offerings from smaller acts as well.

Lana Del Rey - "Blue Banisters"
Release: Oct. 22

Lana Del Rey has confirmed that her second album of 2021 "Blue Banisters" will be out on October 22. In March, she followed up her critically acclaimed album "Norman Fucking Rockwell!" with "Chemtrails Over the Country Club;" what she called her Midwest album. Del Rey has shared a number of tracks from "Blue Banisters," including the title track, as well as "Text Book, "Wildflower Wildfire" and "Arcadia." While she worked with producer Jack Antonoff (Taylor Swift, Lorde, The Chicks) on both "NFW!" and "Chemtrails," her upcoming LP won't feature the Bleachers front man. Instead, she's teaming up with an array of producers, including Mike Dean (Kanye West, Jay-Z, Madonna).

Wet - "Letter Blue"
Release: Oct. 22

Brooklyn-based indie band Wet announced earlier this year that their third album "Letter Blue" is due out in October. It's the group's first album on an independent label (AWAL) after releasing their first two LPs via Colombia. And, as Paste magazine points out, the new album will feature founding guitarist Marty Sulkow – "four years after leaving the band due to conflicts over artistic direction." So far, Wet – which also features Kelly Zutrau and Joe Valle – has shared a number of tracks from "Letter Blue," including "Larabar," one of the best songs of the year. It's a ballad that twists it sound effects and R&B flourishes. Other singles like "Clementine" and "On Your Side" are similar in minimal structure but are quite intricate, indicating that "Letter Blue" will be one of the most interesting albums of 2021.

Taylor Swift - "Red (Taylor's Version)"
Release: Nov. 19

Taylor Swift announced that her next re-recording in her ongoing project to re-record her first x albums will be the fan-favorite album "Red. Properly called "Red (Taylor's Version)," Swift revealed that way back in June, teasing fans several months ahead of time. Like her previous re-recorded album of "Fearless," Swift's new version of her 2012 album will come with several extra songs and outtakes, resulting in a 30-track LP. Among the exciting extra songs is a 10 minute version of "All Too Well," one of Swift's best songs in her catalog.

Adele - "TBA"
Release: TBA

Adele hasn't released new music since 2015 with "25." Though she's popped up every-now-and-then on social media and even hosted "Saturday Night Live," no new song or hint at an album has materialized. But this week, rumor has it that the superstar is set to release something this week. Whether that's true or not, it's likely Adele's new music will arrive this year. And with no lead up, Adele's new album could sound like something we don't expect.

The Weeknd - "TBA"
Release: TBA

Not long after releasing his chart-topping bop-filled album "After Hours," the Weeknd is already on track to release a new LP. In August, he shared his yet unnamed fifth album's lead single "Take My Breath." Not shifting gears too much from his 2020 synth and dance inspired album, this latest song is another synthwave banger that finds him reteaming with producer extraordinaire Max Martin and Oscar Holter. Even if the Weeknd's new album is similar to "After Hours," it seems as though the signer has found a sounds he's interested to explore and push.