Opinion: Best albums of September

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For the first three weeks of September, I was reeling.

The first eight months of this year featured a gantlet of outstanding albums, but September got off to a painfully slow start.

Luckily, the last week of September was a different story, as numerous standout albums dropped.

All in all, September turned out to be yet another great month for music, just as the previous eight months have been. Here are three essential albums from this month.

Rodeo by Travi$ Scott (Released September 4 via Grand Hustle/Epic)

Easily my pick for surprisingly great album of the year thus far because on paper I did not think I would like this album at all. Rodeo features a litany of artists who I am not a particular fan of such as Future, 2 Chainz, Young Thug and even Justin Bieber. Yet, over Scott’s incredibly creative, artful and intricate spin on trap and southern-style instrumentals, these artists, while not presenting the most thought-provoking lyricism, shine and make positive contributions.

Every Open Eye by CHVRCHES (Released September 25 via Virgin/Glassnote)

I casually enjoyed CHVRCHES debut album back in 2013, but on Every Open Eye they really took their synth-pop style to the next level. While they are not doing anything particularly creative or innovative, the production on this album is explosive, punchy and a ton of fun. Lauren Mayberry’s high-pitched vocals are ear grabbing and I love how the playful and fun sound of this album is juxtaposed with a very heartbreaking tale in the lyrics. Definitely one of the catchier and emotionally potent pop albums I’ve heard this year.

Have You in My Wilderness by Julia Holter (Released September 25 via Domino)

The most upfront album in Holter’s already great discography, Have You in My Wilderness is easily the highlight of this month and will definitely make an appearance on my Top 10 list at the end of this year. And even though this is Holter’s most direct album in terms of her presentation of her personality, Holter still maintains a very soothing, relaxing vocal delivery over the most heavenly and pristine instrumentation I’ve heard all year. Listening to this album is like falling asleep on a cloud as the sun is beaming in your face. The tales are personal, Holter’s vocals are chilling and there are a number of curve balls that make this one of the more interesting baroque pop albums I’ve heard in a while.

The opinion of our writers/bloggers are not a reflection of the opinion of the Tennessee Journalist as a whole.

Featured Image by Tom Øverlie, obtained via Creativecommons.org

Edited by Jessica Carr