New this week: Luke Bryan, Barbra Streisand, Collective Soul, and more

Wendy Geller
·Writer, Yahoo Entertainment

Searching for something to listen to this weekend? Yahoo Music has you covered with a rundown of some of this week’s biggest and buzzing releases, from artists including Luke Bryan, Barbra Streisand, Collective Soul, and more. Check back every Friday for a fresh list of albums to help fuel your weekend playlists.

Luke Bryan: What Makes You Country (Capitol Nashville). Bryan, who by now everyone knows is making his debut as a judge on American Idol next year, is reliably wonderful at delivering upbeat, down-home twang action. On his sixth album, he keeps the beers flowing and the fists pumping with a variety of undiluted country tunes.

Barbra Streisand: Barbra: The Music … The Mem’ries … The Magic! (Live in Concert) (Columbia). This live set was recorded in Miami on the last stop of Streisand’s 13-city 2016 tour; fans will delight in the fact this includes the entire concert, as well as all of her dialogue.

Collective Soul: Collective Soul Live (Suretone). This is the band’s first official live album in its 25-year history, containing all their hits, such as “Shine” and “The World I Know.”

K. Michelle: Kimberly: The People I Used To Know (Atlantic). This album takes listeners on a confessional journey introducing different people who have influenced the singer’s life. Chris Brown and Jeremih show up to assist.

Shovels & Rope: Busted Jukebox Volume 2 (New West). The critically acclaimed duo continues its series of cool-friend collaborations with this new release, this time recruiting Brandi Carlile, Rhett Miller, Hayes Carll, Nicole Atkins, John Moreland, Matthew Logan Vasquez, and John Fullbright to the task.

Danny Elfman: Justice League (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (WaterTower Music). Elfman helms the score for the DC superhero movie, cleverly referencing thematic elements from past superhero films. The soundtrack also includes a Beatles cover from guitar hero Gary Clark Jr.

Walker Hayes: Boom (Monument). New Nashville sensation Hayes — who did the bulk of the writing on this record — proves to be a clever songsmith, delivering an infectious blend of country and hip-hop with a ton of swagger.

Jim James: Tribute to 2 (ATO). The My Morning Jacket frontman delivers a solo album featuring covers of songs made famous by the Beach Boys, Sonny & Cher, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, and Emerson Lake & Palmer.

Chris Thile: Thanks for Listening (Nonesuch). This set includes a variety of new studio recordings of songs written for performance on A Prairie Home Companion, which Thile has hosted since October 2016.

Robert Finley: Goin’ Platinum! (Easy Eye Sound/Nonesuch). The soul/blues singer delivers a new set co-written and produced by the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach. It includes a stellar lineup of musical guests such as Duane Eddy, the Preservation Hall horn players, keyboardist Bobby Woods, and drummer Gene Chrisman.