Just like that, we’re at the tail end of the year. Kendrick, Taylor, Harry, Beyonce, Drake, The Weeknd—needless to say it’s been a wild year for music with a ton of stellar releases…but it’s not over just yet. November looks to end the year off with a bang and carry us into the tender vibes of the holiday season. Let’s countdown the new releases that we have to look forward to for the rest of 2022.

Nov 4

Joji – ‘Smithereens’

• If there was an award for the craziest career trajectory, it would undoubtedly go to Joji. From Filthy Frank to Pink Guy to one of the most popular sad-boy songwriters of our generation, Joji is an enigma that historians will be trying to crack for centuries. Smithereens is his latest offering, following up 2020’s smash-hit Nectar, and features the beautiful ballad “Glimpse of Us” along with “Yukon (Interlude)”. If “Glimpse Of Us” hints at anything, it’s that Joji is at the peak of his songwriting game and that the rest of the brief 9-track record should be jam-packed with emotional melodies and cathartic bars.

Drake & 21 Savage – ‘Her Loss’

• Two of rap’s biggest and brightest stars are teaming up for Her Loss, out this week on OVO Sound. This is the first collaborative record Drake has released since 2015’s What A Time To Be Alive with Future, and looks to continue the chemistry and heat delivered on “Jimmy Cooks” from Honestly, Nevermind. There are not many better collaborations in rap as consistently great as 21 and Drake, and Her Loss seeks to cement their status as the dynamic duo for today’s generation. With Noah “40” Shebib on production, the record should pack the punch that Drake fans have been waiting for.

Phoenix – ‘Alpha Zulu’

• French synth-pop band Phoenix is back with Alpha Zulu, their first record since 2017’s Ti Amo. As one of the bands that defined the 2010s with their anthemic record Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, Phoenix has had trouble getting back to the sound that put them on the map. Their latest single “Winter Solstice” and title-track “Alpha Zulu” prove they’re as playfully experimental as ever, while “Tonight” (featuring Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig) is a nostalgic throwback to their earlier work. Alpha Zulu is poised to be the record that Phoenix fans have been waiting for and is the band at their very best.

Dermot Kennedy – ‘Sonder’

• Irish pop superstar Dermot Kennedy releases his long-awaited sophomore record Sonder, featuring hit singles “Better Days” and “Something To Someone”. With production from Sour extraordinaires, Dan Nigro and Ryan Linvill, the record is positioned to be the liveliest UK-pop record of the year. “Dreamer” showcases Dermot’s unmatched songwriting along with his ability to write hooks that’ll have sold-out arenas screaming along. If you’re a fan of UK pop stars like James Bay, Tom Grennan, or Ed Sheeran, definitely add Sonder to your November playlists.

Metro Boomin – ‘Heroes and Villains’

• At only 29 years of age, Metro Boomin has quickly become one of the hottest producers in rap and hip-hop. From working with Future, Drake, Kanye, Travis Scott, The Weeknd, and 21 Savage to name a few, Metro Boomin has produced some of the biggest projects in the last decade. Heroes and Villains is the follow-up album to his 2018 solo debut, Not All Heroes Wear Capes, and showcases Metro’s continued evolution from a producer to a solo artist. Sure to have a stacked feature list, Heroes and Villains is one of the last major rap releases of the year. Be prepared for some absolute heat on this record.

First Aid Kit – ‘Palomino’

• Swedish folk-pop duo, First Aid Kit, is back with Palomino, their first record since 2018’s Heroes. Inspired by Kate Bush, Fleetwood Mac, and Tom Petty among other ‘80s pop-rock icons, Palomino marks the first time the sister duo has written with outside collaborators. “Out of My Head” shows how grandiose their sound has become, while the tender songwriting on “Turning Onto You” shows that the duo hasn’t totally departed from their folk roots. Palomino is the perfect record to help us transition into the colder winter months and is First Aid Kit showing off just how vibrantly boisterous they can be.

Mount Kimbie – ‘MK 3.5: Die Cuts | City Planning’

• The trailblazing electronic duo Mount Kimbie returns with their first record in five years, MK 3.5: Die Cuts | City Planning. Mount Kimbie have been busy, as they’ve produced for artists like James Blake, slowthai, King Krule, and Jay-Z over the last few years. Looking to showcase their always-evolving sound, this new record is a double album where each member has contributed their own half. One half looks to be Dom Maker focusing on his rap production with a handful of features, while the other is Kai Campos throwing it back to their older IDM tracks. Surely one of the most experimental projects of the year, this is a record any hardcore music fan will not want to miss.

Nov 11

Nas – ‘Kings Disease III’

• One of rap’s most legendary artists returns this month with Kings Disease III, the follow-up to Kings Disease II released last year. As one of the kings of the New York rap scene for nearly 30 years, Nas doesn’t really have anything to prove to anyone. That doesn’t stop him from releasing consistently great projects, and Kings Disease III looks to be another brilliant addition to his revelatory discography. As his fifteenth album, Kings Disease III continues Nas and Hit-Boy’s collaboration and picks up right where its predecessor left off. Be sure to have this on your radar this month—Nas’s storytelling is always something to be excited about.

Christine and the Queens – ‘Redcar les adorables étoiles’

• French singer-songwriter and synth-pop artist Christine and the Queens is back with his third studio album, Redcar les adorables etoiles. It’s already been a big year for Christine, as he’s featured on Charli XCX’s “New Shapes” and OVO Shake’s “Body”, and Redcar is another step forward for one of music’s forward-thinking artists. This is his first record since 2018’s Chris and is mostly self-produced like Christine’s prior projects. The lead single “Je te vois enfin” is another punchy synth-pop offering reminiscent of Christine’s biggest tracks and is the perfect sampling from this vibrant new record. 

Bruce Springsteen – ‘Only The Strong Survive’

• As many rock icons have slowly transitioned into retirement, Bruce Springsteen is still proving that his energy for music truly never fades. Only The Strong Survive is his 21st studio album that has a slight twist—it’s a covers album. Known for his many iterations of classic songs over his career, Bruce has finally decided to dive into the R&B and soul songbook that he grew up on. From the Temptations and the Four Tops to Frank Wilson and Tyrone Davis, Only The Strong Survive is full of legendary soul songs performed by Bruce and many of his storied recording collaborators.

Louis Tomlinson – ‘Faith in the Future’

• The oft-forgotten One Direction member, Louis Tomlinson, releases his second studio record this month, titled Faith in the Future. While Louis’ career hasn’t lived up to those of his fellow ex-1D members, it’s not because of the music. His 2020 debut Walls had some heat on it, and Faith in the Future showcases why Louis has the potential to be a global superstar like his 1D counterparts. The lead single “Bigger Than Me” is reminiscent of Shawn Mendes’ “In My Blood”, and is destined to be screamed in arenas around the world. Check this one out this month—I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Nov 17

Brockhampton – ‘The Family’

• Is there a group that encapsulates the last five years of youth culture better than Brockhampton? From completely dominating 2017 with the Saturation trilogy, to releasing some of the most introspective bangers on Iridescence and Ginger, to dropping a brilliant throwback record with Roadrunner, there’s no group that has taken over a genre like Brockhampton. But all good things must come to an end—The Family is Brockhampton’s farewell record. Not much else is known about The Family, but fans are prepared with tissues in hand to say goodbye to one of the most beloved acts of the last five years.

Nov 18

Weyes Blood – ‘And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow’

• We all know how hard it is to follow up a perfect record. Titanic Rising from 2019 put Weyes Blood on the map in all the right ways, And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow looks to be a continuation of her hot streak. The lead single “It’s Not Just Me, It’s Everybody” is one of the standout stirring tracks of the year, while “Grapevine” showcases Natalie Merrings’s excellent songwriting. Sure to be on many “Best of 2022” lists, And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow is a must-listen for every curious music fan. If you’re a fan of Angel Olsen, Perfume Genius, or Cate Le Bon, definitely keep this record on your radar.

Honey Dijon – ‘Black Girl Magic’

• 2022 has already been a massive year for Honey Dijon. While she’s been slowly building her audience over the last ten years, she was a major influence and producer on a record you may have heard of—Beyoncé’s Renaissance. With production credits on “Cozy” and “Alien Superstar”, along with a remix of “Break My Soul”, Honey Dijon has officially become a DJ to watch. Black Girl Magic is her latest record and is a collection of her stellar house beats combined with intriguing features. While she’s been a super influential figure for years, her time has finally come to break out on a mainstream level. Ready to reintroduce herself to the world, Honey Dijon is an artist everyone should be keeping an eye on.

Roddy Ricch – ‘Feed tha Streets III’

• “The Box” and “High Fashion” rapper Roddy Ricch is back with the third entry into his mixtape series Feed Tha Streets III. Feeding the streets just in time for American Thanksgiving with appropriately-themed artwork to match, Roddy Ricch returns to the sound that fans fell in love with earlier on in his career. While listeners may have been disappointed by his previous record, Live Life Fast, they should be excited to see Roddy return to his mixtape vibe after featuring on some of the year’s biggest tracks like Post Malone’s “Cooped Up” and A Boogie’s “B.R.O.”. The latest single from the record, “Aston Martin Truck”, has us hyped for more braggadocious bars over exceptional production.

Nickelback – ‘Get Rollin’

• Canadian rockers Nickelback return with their tenth studio album this month, Get Rollin’ featuring their hit single “San Quentin”. While we all know that Nickelback is one of the more divisive bands of the last two decades, it’s hard to downplay just how massive they still are. They’re the 11th best-selling musical act of all time, and this new record proves that they’re as loud and rowdy as they’ve ever been. Chad Kroeger sounds raspy as always, especially as he reminisces over a classic country music chord progression on “Those Days”. There are no convincing Nickelback haters to check this one out, but hardcore fans should be in for a treat.

Neil Young & Crazy Horse – ‘World Record’

• There’s no stopping Neil Young. Putting out consistently excellent records for nearly 60 years is a legendary feat, and Young is back to show us that his prolificity isn’t waning anytime soon. Reuniting with storied collaborator Crazy Horse, World Record is Young reminiscing about the things that are most important to him—the future of planet Earth, the environment, and cars. Produced by Rick Rubin, World Record shows Young moving in an experimental yet familiar direction. Whether you’re a Neil Young purist or not, definitely check this one out – specifically on vinyl as Young is releasing this as a high-quality double LP.

Nov 25

Stormzy – ‘This Is What I Mean’

• The king of the British grime scene is back with This Is What I Mean, his first record since 2019’s Heavy Is The Head. While the three-year gap seems long, it’s proved to be worthwhile as it gave Stormzy the opportunity to work with his favorite producers and artists. Written mainly during a retreat to England’s Osea Island, the 12-track album should be overflowing with political statements and observances that reflect the lunacy of the last few years in the UK. While no features have been announced yet, some collaborators include Jacob Collier and Kassa, as Stormzy stated in an interview with UK hip-hop station Capital XTRA. As the spokesperson for the youth generation in the UK, Stormzy will undoubtedly deliver with This Is What I Mean—be ready for this one.

Dec 2

NOFX – ‘Double Album’

• NOFX, one of the greatest pioneers of pop punk, is calling it quits after nearly 40 years. Impacting bands from the early aughts like Blink-182, Green Day, and Sum 41, NOFX has inspired an entire generation of punk-rockers who ushered in the current movement of pop-punk. Double Album is their final release, which aptly follows up 2021’s Single Album showing that their goofy sense of humor hasn’t waned throughout their four-decade-long career. If you’re a pop-punk fan and haven’t heard of NOFX, use this as an opportunity to dive into the music of true pioneers of the genre, while simultaneously waving goodbye in the process.

Dec 9

Mount Westmore – ‘Bad MFs’

• Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, E-40, and Too $hort are the self-proclaimed kings of west-coast rap, and they’re here to prove it with their collaborative group effort under the moniker Mount Westmore which cleverly playing off the Mount Rushmore term used to define the four greatest in a category. The rap supergroup initially dropped this record via blockchain earlier this summer, but are finally releasing it to everyone else at the tail-end of the year. Titled Bad MFs, the record sees the four pillars of West Coast rap combining their unique flows and bars throughout the 14-track run. With no other features, this record is a dream come true for old-school hip-hop heads, and will likely add fuel to the new-school vs. old-school debate. Whatever side of that debate you side with, this record will surely be a rap highlight of 2022, and definitely begs your attention.

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie – ‘Me Vs. Myself’

• There are not many mainstream rappers as prolific as Boogie. Originally scheduled to release on November 4th, Boogie saw the Drake and 21 Savage collaborative album and said Honestly, Nevermind humorously announcing his decision on social media. On his fourth studio album Me vs. Myself, the New York rapper gets introspective as he returns to his alternation between his rap persona “Boogie” and his real self Artist Dubose. While this approach has been done on his debut record Artist and follow-up The Bigger Artist, this record looks to take Boogie to new heights. With features from Torey Lanez, Roddy Rich, Kodak Black, and Lil Durk among others, Me Vs. Myself is Boogie at his most ambitious.

Dec 21

MIKE – ‘Beware of the Monkey’

• If there’s an artist who I think people should pay attention to, it’s New York rapper MIKE. One of the most genuine rappers in the genre, MIKE’s music always feels like hanging with one of your close friends. Subtly emotional without an ounce of melodrama, MIKE always delivers the goods. Beware of the Monkey is his latest record, and features the stunning single “Nuthin I Can Do Is Wrng” which showcases his unmatched sampling skills and luminous lyricism. If you’re a fan of Earl Sweatshirt or Mach-Hommy, check this record out—MIKE might just be your new favorite rapper.

Weezer – ‘SZNZ: Winter’

• 90’s rockers Weezer conclude their SZNZ collection of EPs with their Winter edition, which is sure to be full of holiday vibes. Their previous three SZNZ releases were super fun, and this should be the conclusion that’ll leave die-hard Weezer fans hyped for whatever their next full-length project is. If you haven’t heard their previous EPs, the whole collection will be released together with SZNZ: Winter, so you’ll have the chance to listen to them all in succession. Rivers Cuomo and the gang are known to try wild experiments with their music, and this collection of EPs shows just how far they’ll go.