Alex Warren returns with second album WILDCHILD – and he’s got quite the act to follow. You’ll Be Alright, Kid hit Number 1 in July 2025, while FEVER DREAM reached Number 3. Named for his late father’s childhood nickname, WILDCHILD explores grief, love and healing. Can Alex keep that perfect Albums Chart strike rate?
The Prince vault opens again for Timeless, collecting 10 rare and unreleased recordings from 1977-2016. With five UK Number 1 albums, 22 Top 10s and 34 Top 40s, could it earn the icon a sixth chart-topper?
Manchester five-piece The Guest List – Cai Alty, Tom Quigley, Leio Hunter, Sid Wallace and Angus Gilchrist – make their first Official Albums Chart bid with Something Real. Recorded with Matias Tellez in Bergen, it tackles mental health, masculinity and climate anxiety. They play Reading on release day, then Leeds the following day.
Pulp capture their comeback on Live!, recorded across two shows at The O2 in June 2025 – the same week More became their third UK Number 1. With six Top 10s, they mark release day by doing exactly what it says on the tin: playing Manchester’s Wythenshawe Park with Self Esteem.
Bananarama turn back the clock with a 40th-anniversary reissue of True Confessions. Originally peaking at Number 46, the album – home to defining hit Venus – returns remastered with B-sides, rarities, unreleased mixes and reworkings from Richard X, The Alias, Luke Mornay and more.
The Warning return with fifth studio album Everything’s Falling, a new chapter for the Monterrey sister trio that captures a period of growth, self-discovery and resilience. Calling it “a snapshot of where we are in our lives right now,” the band channel those experiences into their trademark explosive rock sound.
Alabama Shakes are back after more than a decade with third album I Must Be Dreaming, pushing further into psychedelic soul. Boys & Girls peaked at Number 3 and Sound & Color at Number 6 – could a third Top 10 follow?
Interpol deliver eighth LP This Mirror Weighs A Ton, expanding their atmospheric sound with strings, woodwind and acoustic guitar. With four UK Top 10 albums, led by Number 2-peaking Our Love To Admire, they tour with Bloc Party later this year, including two dates at London’s Olympia.
NCT 127 mark a decade since debut with BLINGY – The 7th Album, their first since 2024’s WALK. Fusing distorted synths, hard-hitting drums and dubstep, can it become their second UK Top 40 album after 2021’s Sticker – The 3rd Album (40)?
Asher White goes experimental pop on Love Aggregates, while Beastie Boys’ Mike D makes his solo debut with Thank You. Elsewhere, Erykah Badu and The Alchemist join forces, Sara Bareilles returns with Good Grief, Dinosaur Jr. unveil There Near and Lancey Foux drops THE TIME OF OUR LIVES.
Also out this week: Train’s Mad Dog in the Fog, flowerovlove’s debut MINI SKIRT WARRIOR, Rod Wave’s Don’t Look Down, Russian Circles’ Nine, Saul Williams’ Leap Life, Cocktail Sippers’ Joy Ride and Kind Villain’s Downward Spiral.
Now, let’s talk singles.
New Music Friday singles 🎶
Olivia Rodrigo gets political on serena joy, a fiery protest song named after The Handmaid’s Tale character, taking aim at complacency in the face of oppression. Written with Dan Nigro during sessions for Number 1 album you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, a portion of its net proceeds will support the Daisy Chain Fields Fund.
On October 2, Johnny Marr releases fifth solo album The Age Of Everything. New single It’s Time rails against cynicism and corruption as Marr looks to extend a run of five solo UK Top 10 albums.
Blossoms call on long-time friend and collaborator Declan McKenna for the wonderfully bonkers team-up Additional Driver, inspired by Tom Ogden’s minor car bump outside Manchester’s Apollo. Sixth album Songs From The Wedding Cake follows October 2.
Manchester DJ-producer Josh Baker caps a milestone summer with surprise four-track EP Breaking Point, landing via his YOU&ME imprint as he heads into a huge weekend of sets at Reading & Leeds and Creamfields. Its hypnotic title track has already become a standout of his YOU&ME Ibiza residency.
Dance heads can also expect a brand-new link-up from Charlotte Plank and NOTION, with the duo dressing things up in head-to-toe Burberry.
Smoky new single Insignificant Other finds Queens of the Stone Age loose and unguarded ahead of ninth album Perfecth, out October 30. Its predecessor In Times New Roman… reached Number 2.
Before she hits the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom, Delta Goodrem is on fighting form with Warrior. Eighth album Pure arrives November 6.
Ever wondered what The Beatles’ Day Tripper sounded like before that riff? The previously unheard Songwriting Work Tape catches John Lennon and Paul McCartney piecing together The Fab Four’s ninth UK Number 1 at Lennon’s Surrey home. The expanded Rubber Soul Special Edition lands October 2.
Ipswich four-piece AFTERDRIVE add some sparkle to your playlist with new single Jewellery, ahead of debut EP Dress To Drive on October 9 and a headline UK tour this autumn.
Riley Green keeps things classic country on That’s Just Me, the title track from his fourth album, out September 18. It follows his UK breakthrough with the Ella Langley duet you look like you love me earlier this year.
Pop pioneer MNEK returns with second album BULLDOZER!! on September 18. Before that, the Number 1 hitmaker flexes his pop muscles on MUSCLE MARYS…
OneRepublic count the cost on Pay That Toll, reflecting on taking risks, moving too fast and the price we ultimately pay for our choices.
Bradley Simpson shakes off The Panic Years with aptly titled solo release The Shakes, already road-tested during his summer shows.
On the poppier end of the spectrum, JHart goes Full Fantasy, Cascada declare I Feel Alive and Sophie Grey takes to the Air, while SHAB aims high with Best Of All Time. Jael offers The Air Belongs To Us, Catching Cairo returns with What A Waste and Parson James joins forces with Emeli Sandé and Troy Miller on Love Right Here.
Guitars take over as dodie doubles up with Fruit In The Sun and HE CAN DO A PUSH-UP, Bryan Adams drops The Ballad of Terry Fox, Dylan John Thomas serves up Come And Get It and Angus & Julia Stone head to The Cherry Farm.
Elsewhere, Stanley Welch previews December double-album project Songs About Women and Songs About Women – The Musical with Future Of My Heart. cowboyy share melancholy (chain), as Neighbour Club offer up Only Fractions ahead of debut EP Snail Mail. Kamran Khan also returns with 2 Late.
Egyptian-Canadian artist Maz B goes Coast To Coast, Willow Avalon covers Carly Simon’s iconic You’re So Vein, country singer Jordan Davis gets into a Mess, South London rapper Cristale enters the Quantum Loop and Dylan Gossett unveils Clothesline.
New songs, albums and DVDs released this week – August 28 2026: