New Album Releases June

Get ready for Beyoncé, who leads June's list of new releases, which also features the latest from Bon Iver, Arctic Monkeys and (finally) Sophie Ellis-Bextor (as well as a new album from her husband's band).

Beyoncé - 4 (June 24). This is the biggest album slated for summer so far, the fourth release from one of the world's biggest female pop stars. Last time out, she gave us a concept album of sorts, a two-disc set divided into calmer pop ballads and livelier upbeat songs. I Am...Sasha Fierce was another tremendous success for the former Destiny's Child frontwoman, nabbing her many Grammy nominations and three monster-sized global hits ("If I Were a Boy," "Single Ladies" and "Halo"). For this album, there's just one disc, but based on what I'm reading, it will be much more musically varied than Sasha, with Beyoncé naming influences like Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Lauryn Hill--signaling perhaps more retro and hip-hop sounds--as well as Nigerian musician Fela Kuti. So far I've heard three songs from the album and they're all quite different. First up was "Run the World (Girls)," which had an explosive rhythm but failed to connect well with the public. Second single "Best Thing I Never Had," which I've only heard once but liked. And then there's "1+1," the album's first track, a guitar-backed ballad in the vein of "If I Were a Boy" available from iTunes as a preview track.

Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Bon Iver (June 21). Bon Iver's 2008 debut For Emma, Forever Ago, isn't the sort of thing I'd usually be attracted to. It's woodsy folk/rock recorded in rural Wisconsin doesn't seem like music for pop fans. Yet Bon Iver's gorgeous melodies are quite compelling and, although I didn't get this album until late last year, I've definitely fallen under its spell. And I'm not the only one. Bon Iver attracted the attention of Kanye West, who featured the band on several songs from last year's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, most notably on "Lost in the World," which heavily samples Bon Iver's "The Woods." This albums first single, "Calgary," includes synthesizers, which is a big departure from the sound of For Emma. Definitely interested in hearing what they do this time.

Arctic Monkeys - Suck It and See (June 6). Based on what was being written in the British press, Arctic Monkeys arrived in late 2005 as the saviors of alternative rock music. Of course, nobody can live up to that kind of hype, but their 2006 debut and its 2007 follow-up were both satisfying sets of short, explosive songs. By the time they released their third album in 2009 though, they'd lost much of their luster. With this fourth album, it sounds like they may be taking a new direction. At least that's my impression from its first single, "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair," which sounds totally different, with louder, deeper guitars and a more measured approach. The album is produced by James Ford, who produced their last two albums.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Make a Scene (June 5). It's been 4 years since Ellis-Bextor's last album, Trip the Light Fantastic. Since then there's been much uncertainty about what we'd get from her next. At one point there was going to be a greatest hits set, then a new album, which got pushed back, and changed its name, etc. Finally it looks like we're going to get this album, Make a Scene, which has already been released in Russia. It features new single "Starlight" plus the several tracks Ellis-Bextor has put out the last few years, "Bittersweet," "Not Giving Up on Love" and "Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer)." The production lineup features big names like Calvin Harris, Freemasons and Richard X, and Cathy Dennis co-wrote two of the album's tracks.

My Morning Jacket - Circuital (May 31). American rock band releases its sixth album, the follow-up to the acclaimed 2008 disc, Evil Urges.

All Time Low - Dirty Work (June 6). American punk-rock group releases its fourth album.

Nerina Pallot - Year of the Wolf (June 12). British singer-songwriter releases her fourth album.

Owl City - All Things Bright and Beautiful (June 14). After breaking through big with the single "Fireflies" from their last album, Owl City returns with his third album of electropop.

The Feeling - Together We Are Made (June 19). British band releases its third album.

Lil Wayne - Tha Carter IV (June 21). Lil Wayne's 2008 album Tha Carter III was a massive hit, scoring the #1 single "Lollipop" and earning a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. Since then, he's put out the comparatively underwhelming "rock" album, Rebirth, and last year's I Am Not a Human Being. So this could be a return to form, although it's yet to generate a hit single.

Vanessa Carlton - Rabbits on the Run (June 21). Remember "A Thousand Miles" from 2002? That was from Carlton's first album--this is her fourth.

Weird Al Yankovic - Alpocalypse (June 21). The king of pop music parody releases his 13th album, his first in 5 years. This time he takes on Lady Gaga ("Perform This Way," "Polka Face"), T.I., White Stripes and Taylor Swift, among others.

Limp Bizkit - Gold Cobra (June 28). Sixth album.

Singles Serving

Judas - Lady Gaga. Clearly the big new single of the week. Lady Gaga returns with the second helping from her upcoming album, Born This Way. It's edgier than "Born This Way," although still very much in her usual vein of electro-dance pop. This "Bad Romance" only a bit dirtier ("Fame hooker, prostitute wench, vomits her mind"). Definitely another winner.

Turning Tables - Glee Cast feat. Gwyneth Paltrow. Gwyneth Paltrow tackles an album track from Adele's 21 and manages to pull the song off quite well. It makes me hope Adele releases this as a single soon. Such a beautiful song. It is odd that I think Gwyneth sounds a bit like Chris Colfer?

Unorthodox - Wretch 32 feat. Example. Wretch 32 is the year's hottest new British rapper. He hit #5 earlier this year with "Traktor" and returns with this superior single. It doesn't move the Earth, but it's enjoyable enough upbeat hip-hop track with a little taste of reggae melody underpinning it.

Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair - Arctic Monkeys. Remember when Arctic Monkeys delivered tight little explosive bombs masquerading as rock songs? Well, they don't do that anymore. Not that this is a bad song--the deep bass guitar growl recalls '90s-style alternative--but they aren't as much fun anymore. This is the first single from their upcoming fourth album.

Telling the World - Taio Cruz. This song is pretty cheesy, but I actually kind of enjoy it. Taio Cruz backed with piano and soaring synth-based melodies is a winning enough combination. Then the chimes come in...and you know you're in for the kind of song that works well in advertisements. It is, after all, from the soundtrack to the film Rio. Enjoy it for what it is.

Stop and Stare - Fenech-Soler. Fenech-Soler is a British electropop group from Northhamptonshire (isn't that a great name for a place to be from?). Not a bad bit of dance pop. Still, it's a genre that's been worked over of late, and while enjoyable, this isn't adding anything new to the conversation.

Album Review: Arctic Monkeys - Humbug (3.5/5)

Maturity can create some interesting choices for bands. The Arctic Monkeys--Britain's most successful post-punk band--were just 20 years old when they released their massively successful debut Whatever You Think I Am, That's What I'm Not in 2006. That work, and it's similar 2007 follow-up Favourite Worst Nightmare, were characterized by short songs bursting with energy and attitude.

Humbug takes a new direction, trading in that raw youthful energy for a moodier sound delivered at a slower pace. It's an appropriate step for a band now in their mid '20s, and exploring new sounds, but is it as much fun? Yes and no. While I wasn't a fan at first, I grew to enjoy the band's little rants about life and love--or rather the lack thereof. So don't go looking for a "Brianstorm" or a "I Bet that You Look Good on the Dancefloor" because you won't find much of that here.

"My Propeller" quickly establishes this new sound with a dark mood, driven by a strong emphasis on the bass melody and a hushed vocal delivered at a rather slow pace. A rat-tat-tat of drums and guitar punch things up nicely for the chorus. "Crying Lightning's" bass line is also quite promiment. I'm really not sure what the song is about. In the past, I had trouble understanding lead singer Alex Turner, due to his rapid-fire delivery and thick accent. Now that's he's singing clearly and slowly, I still can't make out what he's saying, even with the lyrics sheet in front of me. ("your pastimes consisted of the strange, the twisted and deranged and I hate that little game you had called ‘crying lightning.’" Huh????)

"Secret Door," the album's first ballad, has a romantic '60s quality to it, but still retains a bit of an eerie sound. It's lack of an obvious chorus also make it feel like a stream of emotion, rather than a premeditated poem.

Much has been written about "Cornerstone," surely a future single. It's the album's most lovely melody--a break from the generally darker tone--and it's kind of a sad story too about a guy who can't forget the memory of a former flame and therefore tries to project her onto other girls. It's sandwiched between sinister "Fire and the Thud," which ups the reverb and reigns in the guitar, and "Dance Little Liar," which burns slowly before shifting to a final act dance beat and guitar solo. These are rather moody song, but satisfying nonetheless.

"Pretty Visitors" is closer to the old Arctic Monkeys--rapid-fire drumming, loud half-spoken vocal from Turner--but also features creepy organ music throughout. It's an odd one for sure. As is the softer final track "The Jeweller's Hands."

Credit for the band's new direction goes, in part, to producer Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age. Interesting though, that all three tracks produced by James Ford (who also produced Favourite Worst Nightmare) are among my favorites. I'm glad the band is willing to experiment, but I like them best when they show a little warmth.

Best: Cornerstone, My Propeller, Crying Lightning, Secret Door, Fire and the Thud

Best of 2000s: Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (4/5)

After Coldplay, The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand, and The Killers, Arctic Monkeys was the last major new "find" of this decade's rock scene. Each of these bands, for a time, held a very special almost untouchable place in the spotlight, loved by critics and fans with buzz every other band would kill for. As such, it's still too early to tell what they're fate will be, but signs are pointing to continued success. Frontman Alex Turner has already gone off and formed a side band--The Last Shadow Puppets--a la Jack White. And their second album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, was just as beloved as this 2006 debut (some like me, actually liked it even better). At first, I wasn't sold on them, but over time I've actually grown fond of their rough-around-the-edges rock. Their short over-before-you-know-it songs alternate between being about social issues and just partying, typical guy stuff. Musically, it's quite tight, with rapid-fire guitars alternating between your ears on opening track "The View from the Afternoon" and good bass and guitar interplay on "I Bet that You Look Good on the Dancefloor," their first #1 hit. The energy pours forth from almost every song--"Riot Van," "Mardy Bum" and "A Certain Romance" are somewhat mellower moments, but even they have plenty of pep.

Best: When the Sun Goes Down, I Bet that You Look Good on the Dancefloor, The View from the Afternoon, Mardy Bum, Fake Tales of San Francisco, A Certain Romance

Arctic Monkeys "Crying Lightning"

A nice little surprise greeted me this morning on iTunes' new music Tuesday: A new single from the Arctic Monkeys - "Crying Lightning." It's the first single from their forthcoming third album Humbug, due out in late August (that's the cover there up top). I'm pretty impressed with it. I like the dark sound.