September 12

Ed Sheeran – ‘Play’

Ed Sheeran is back in full pop mode with Play, his eighth studio album dropping September 12, 2025. The first in a five-part concept series inspired by media buttons, Play sees Sheeran teaming up with Blake Slatkin, Ilya, Cirkut, and longtime collaborator Johnny McDaid for a glossy, genre-spanning collection. Lead single “Azizam” blends English, Punjabi, and Persian into a global love song, “Old Phone” leans into bittersweet nostalgia, “Sapphire” shines with a co-write from Arijit Singh, and “A Little More” brings back Sheeran’s signature balladry with cinematic flair. Equal parts adventurous and familiar, Play marks the beginning of Sheeran’s next era; bigger, bolder, and ready to hit repeat.

twenty one pilots – ‘Breach’

Twenty One Pilots are closing the book on a decade of lore with Breach, their eighth studio album, arriving September 12, 2025. Serving as the final installment in the narrative arc that began with Blurryface and wound through Trench, Scaled and Icy, and Clancy, the record promises to tie up the cryptic storylines that have kept fans decoding clues for years. The rollout has been classic TØP: Easter eggs, morse code teases, and cliffhangers carried over from Clancy. Lead single “The Contract” set the tone with tense, urgent energy, followed by the explosive “Drum Show,” while opening track “City Walls” is set to arrive with a music video Joseph has described as “the end of the lore.” Dark, theatrical, and heavy with meaning, Breach feels less like just another album and more like the grand finale to one of alt-pop’s most ambitious sagas.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor – ‘Perimenopop’

Sophie Ellis-Bextor is back with Perimenopop, her eighth studio album and first for Decca Records, landing September 12, 2025. After three decades of genre-hopping, Sophie leans fully into the glittery heart of her career: pop. Written as a celebration of joy, age, and the freedom of creating without compromise, Perimenopop is bold, playful, and unapologetically fun. At 46, Sophie says she feels more excited about music than ever, and with collaborations old and new fueling the record, it’s set to be a radiant, empowering soundtrack for anyone who believes growing older just means more adventures (and more disco lights).

September 19

Cardi B – ‘AM I THE DRAMA?’

Seven years after Invasion of Privacy, Cardi B is finally back with her long-awaited second album Am I the Drama?, dropping September 19, 2025 via Atlantic Records. Packed with 23 tracks, the project blends her viral smashes “WAP” and “Up” with new heat like the lead single “Outside” and the swaggering follow-up “Imaginary Playerz.” True to its title, the album leans into Cardi’s larger-than-life persona, drawing inspiration from both real-life chaos and a meme from RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. With Hitchcock-inspired visuals featuring ominous black birds, Cardi is making sure the rollout is as theatrical as the music itself. 

Chase Rice – ‘ELDORA’

Chase Rice is gearing up for his next chapter with Eldora, a new album currently in the works and set to follow his recent projects I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell and Go Down Singin’. Having left his Bro-Country days far behind, Rice has embraced a rawer, more authentic sound that leans into storytelling and heart rather than radio flash. On the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast, he shared that Eldora continues that evolution, born out of his desire to be “known well, not well-known.” Fans can also expect some exciting collaborations, with writing sessions lined up with Flatland Cavalry’s Cleto Cordero and even a dream collab with the legendary Jamey Johnson.

The Favors – ‘The Dream’

Ashe and Finneas are officially joining forces as The Favors, and their debut album The Dream lands September 19, 2025 via Darkroom Records. Born from years of friendship and their beloved 2021 collab “Till Forever Falls Apart,” the record blends the warmth and groove of ’70s pop with sharp, modern songwriting and lush harmonies. Drawing inspiration from legends like Fleetwood Mac and The Beatles, The Dream feels both timeless and brand new, the kind of album that captures chemistry you can’t fake. For two artists who’ve already carved out unique solo careers, this supergroup project feels like a natural evolution — and a dreamy one at that.

Lola Young – ‘I’m Only F**king Myself’

Lola Young is back with her third album I’m Only F**king Myself, dropping September 19, 2025 via Island Records/Day One, and she’s leaning fully into raw honesty and cheeky provocation. The follow-up to last year’s breakout This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway, the record already boasts singles like “One Thing,” the biting “Not Like That Anymore,” and the moody “d£aler.” True to form, Lola’s keeping things unfiltered — from the bold title to the eyebrow-raising cover art featuring a blow-up doll of herself. With her viral hit “Messy” still fresh in everyone’s mind and a North American tour on the horizon, this new project cements Lola as one of pop’s most fearless and unapologetic voices.

September 26

Doja Cat – ‘Vie’

Doja Cat is pressing play on a new era with Vie, her fifth studio album arriving September 26, 2025 via Kemosabe and RCA. After the darker detours of Scarlet and Scarlet 2: CLAUDE, Vie marks her return to glossy pop with an ‘80s-inspired twist, leaning into themes of love, romance, and sex across disco, R&B, rap, and shimmering synth-pop. Recorded partly at Miraval Studios in France, the project boasts an impressive lineup of collaborators including Jack Antonoff, Blood Orange, Yeti Beats, and Rogét Chahayed, while lead single “Jealous Type” has already set the tone with neon-soaked nostalgia. Translating to “life” in French, Vie feels like Doja’s rebirth, vibrant, romantic, and ready for the dance floor.

Zara Larsson – ‘Midnight Sun’

Zara Larsson is stepping into a new light with Midnight Sun, her fifth studio album arriving September 26, 2025 via Sommer House and Epic Records. Inspired by the glow of Swedish summers, the 10-track project pairs sleek pop production with deeply personal songwriting about ambition, identity, and self-reflection. With collaborators like longtime partner MNEK, Margo XS, Zhone, and Helena Gao, the album is already shining through its singles “Pretty Ugly,” the radiant title track, and the infectious “Crush.” To top it off, Zara is taking Midnight Sun on the road with a European tour kicking off in October, making this her boldest and most self-assured era yet.