THIS SEASON’S MUST HEAR LPS INCLUDE LIVE OPTIONS THAT PLACE LISTENERS IN THE ARTISTS’ AUDIENCE JUST THE TICKET TO EXPERIENCE BEING THERE AT UNFORGETTABLE PERFORMANCES

BY LAURA D.C. KOLNOSKI

LIVE AROUND THE WORLD QUEEN
Release Date: October 2
Queen is releasing their first live album with Adam Lambert front and center. The compilation of concert highlights draws from over 200 shows. Performances from Rio, Lisbon, Japan, and North America, as well as the Fire Fight Australia show in February, where they replicated their famous 1985 Live Aid set right before the worldwide COVID 19 lockdown, highlight the album’s 20 tracks. Revel in Queen classics like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “We Will Rock You,” and more.

TBD BLACKPINK
Release Date: Oct. 2
Blackpink, the top charting female South Korean quartet, is releasing its debut album on YG Entertainment through Inters cope Records. The first single, “How You Like That,” set a YouTube record of 86.3 million views in the first 24 hours. They also appeared on Lady Gaga’s song, “Sour Candy,” from her latest album Chromatica. Variety called the tune “a summer burner.” The three minute track from the dynamic performers, the first K pop girl group to appear at the Coachella Music Festival, combines lyrics in both Korean and English. The name of Blackpink’s album had not been released at press time, but a “surprise feature” was teased to ramp up anticipation.

THE RARITIES MARIAH CAREY
Release Date: October 2
Previously unreleased demos and B sides, as well as a new single featuring Lauryn Hill created with Jermaine Dupri entitled “Save the Day,” are among the pre-holiday surprises Mariah Carey has for fans.

Reportedly containing a whopping 32 tracks, The Rarities celebrates the 30th anniversary of the star’s self-titled debut album. Contents are expected to include Carey’s live performances of “Emotions,” “Always Be My Baby,” “Hero,” and more from her 1996 Tokyo Dome concert.

HEY CLOCKFACE ELVIS COSTELLO
Release Date: October 30
Recorded in various locations including Paris, Helsinki, and New York, Hey Clock face features 14 selections, most written by Costello, with titles like “No Flag,” “We Are All Cowards Now,” and “Hey Clock face/How Can You Face Me?” “I wanted the record to be vivid, whether the songs demanded playing that was loud and jagged or intimate and beautiful,” said Costello. The New York sessions took place during quarantine. “I sang live on the studio floor, directing from the vocal booth. We cut nine songs in two days. Almost everything the musicians played was a spontaneous response to the song I was singing.”

WEEKEND IN LONDON GEORGE BENSEN
Release Date: November 13
In need of some cool jazz? Chill out with a master of the genre, Grammy winning giant of jazz George Benson. Recorded at London’s prestigious, super intimate 250 capacity Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, where the legend first appeared in the 1970s, this live LP features beloved tunes like “Turn Your Love Around,” “Love X Love,” “In Your Eyes,” and other classics.