New This Week: Miley Cyrus, Shania Twain, Demi Lovato, and more
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, including Miley Cyrus, Shania Twain, Demi Lovato, and more. Check back every Friday for a fresh list of albums to help fuel your weekend playlists.
Miley Cyrus: Younger Now (RCA). Cyrus is well known for her crazy antics on 2013’s Bangerz, as well as her freaky experiments with the Flaming Lips, but now it seems that she may have settled down a bit. The ballad “Malibu” ushers in a softer Cyrus, and the retro title track and guest shot from her godmother, Dolly Parton, on “Rainbowland” add to her calmer vibe.
Shania Twain: NOW (Mercury Nashville). The queen of country-pop makes a much-anticipated return to music with her first new studio album in 15 years. She wrote every track on the record, including the first single, the breezy, carefree “Life’s About to Get Good.”
Demi Lovato: Tell Me You Love Me (Island/Hollywood). The former Disney princess is back showing off a strong, confident vibe. She’s an expert at bringing the drama, emotion, and theatricality on this album, which features collabs with several notable songwriters and producers, including DJ Mustard.
Lucinda Williams: This Sweet Old World (Highway 20/Thirty Tigers). This is a re-recording of Williams’s 1992 album of the same name, re-sequenced with four bonus tracks.
Pearl Jam: Let’s Play Two (Pearl Jam/Republic). This live soundtrack is a partner to the film that simultaneously celebrates the veteran band’s shows at legendary Wrigley Field, as well as the Chicago Cubs’ historic 2016 world championship.
Wolf Alice: Visions of a Life (Dirty Hit/RCA). The sophomore album from this Grammy-nominated British rock quartet is a fitting vehicle to show off singer-guitarist Ellie Rosewell’s shimmering, edgy talent.
David Crosby: Sky Trails (BMG Rights Management). The latest work from Crosby includes a special treat: songs co-written with Michael McDonald and Joni Mitchell.
Belinda Carlisle: Wilder Shores (Edsel). The former Go-Go utilizes her foray into Kundalini yoga to create a chant-inspired album. The record ends with a piano-led version of Carlisle’s No. 1 solo hit, “Heaven Is a Place on Earth.”
Neil Finn: Out of Silence (Lester). The Split Enz/Crowded House member decided to broadcast the recording of his album live via Facebook over four days, and mix it while it ran. This is the result of his interesting live-streaming experiement.
Jessica Lea Mayfield: Sorry Is Gone (ATO). The folk-rocker takes her life back on this 11-track set produced by John Agnello (Kurt Vile, Sonic Youth), her first solo album since the acclaimed 2014 set Make My Head Sing.
Primus: The Desaturating Seven (Prawn Song/ATO). This marks Primus’s ninth studio album and first original set since 1995. The theme of the record is inspired by a 1970s children’s book that frontman/bassist Les Claypool liked to read to his kids when they were growing up.
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis: Superscope (Sunday Best Recordings). The London siblings offer up a passionate, fire-filled, and springy set of bluesy, soul-filled pop.
Nik Turner: Life in Space (Purple Pyramid/Cleopatra). The always experimental and creative Hawkwind co-founder Turner’s latest album takes listeners on a trip, accompanied by guest appearances by his fellow Hawkwind alumni.
Herb Alpert: The Christmas Wish (Herb Alpert Presents). Alpert’s first holiday album in nearly 50 years was recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, and is a fittingly grandiose production utilizing a 10-piece rhythm section, a 45-piece orchestra, and a 32-member choir.
Black Stone Cherry: Back to Blues (Mascot). This six-song EP features blues-classics originally written and/or performed by legendary musicians such as Willie Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Booker T. Jones, Albert King, and Freddy King.
Johnny Mathis: Johnny Mathis Sings the Great New American Songbook (Columbia). The venerable vocalist teams up with producers Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Clive Davis for this collection, which includes a powerful cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” A guest appearance from Kenny G is another welcome highlight.
UFO: The Salentino Cuts (Cleopatra). This marks the British rock legends’ first all-covers album, featuring versions of unexpected choices such as “Ain’t No Sunshine,” John Mellencamp’s “Paper in Fire,” ZZ Top’s “Just Got Paid,” and more.
Dave Koz & Friends: 20th Anniversary Christmas (Concord). True to the title, Koz certainly packs a lot of friends on this disc — enlisting the talents of David Benoit, Rick Braun, Peter White, Jeffrey Osborne, Javier Colon, Kenny Lattimore, Selina Albright, Gabriel Orengo, and the West European Symphony Orchestra.
Chris Rea: Road Songs for Lovers (The End/BMG Rights Management). Guitar slinger Chris Rea’s eagerly anticipated new album is the perfect vehicle for his distinctive, husky vocals, and inspired licks.
Jag Panzer: The Deviant Chord (Steamhammer/SPV). The power metal band returns with 10 new songs that deliver exactly what you’d expect (and therefore, exactly what will make their extensive fanbase happy).
