As the nights draw in, Tony Clayton-Lea grabs his jumper and looks forward to the season's rock and pop releases. Michael Dervan and Siobhán Long preview classical and trad highlights
MARC ALMOND My Life
Former Soft Cell singer Almond releases a reflective covers record. Songs include the Dusty Springfield hit I Close My Eyes and Count to Ten (a duet with St Etienne's Sarah Cracknell), David Bowie's London Boys and Antony and the Johnsons' River of Sorrow. Late September
BABYBIRD Between My Ears There's Nothing
Best known for his hit single You're Gorgeous, Stephen Jones/Babybird is back after a six-year absence with a record that proves he still finds life, love and the whole enchilada a bitter pill to swallow. September 21
BADLY DRAWN BOY Born in the UK
The bearded, tea-cosy-hatted bard of north England returns on a major label (EMI) with a record whose title directly refers to a well-documented admiration for Bruce Springsteen. Whether the music is suitably Springsteen-esque remains to be heard. October 16
BE GOOD TANYAS Hello Love
The Canadian trio once again provide rootsy music that could easily be described as haunting, rustic, ambient goth-folk - this new album certainly goes a long way to being one of the best of its kind this year. October 6
BONNIE "PRINCE" BILLY The Letting Go
More dust bowl reveries from one of the most singular voices (translation: an acquired taste) in twisted Americana. September 22
SHAWN COLVIN These Four Walls
One of contemporary US folk-rock's most observant voices, Colvin's new album - her first since 2001's Whole New You - continues her quest to put witty reflections and tough tales to a soundtrack of seductive pop hooks. September 15
CATHAL COUGHLAN Foburg
The fourth album by the former Fatima Mansions and Microdisney singer consists of 14 new songs that illustrate - and we quote "an unreliable narrative of architectural plastic surgery". We're blissfully happy to tell you that the record recalls Coughlan's work with Fatima Mansions and that of his first solo album, 1997's Grand Necropolitan. September 22
CHRIS DE BURGH The Storyman
De Burgh's new album is, as the title implies, a throwback to his narrative-driven days. Backed on several tracks by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the album also features duets with Egyptian singer Hani Hussein and winner of BBC's Busker of the Year competition, Kristyna Myles. September 29
DJ SHADOW The Outsider
Advance word on this is that it doesn't reach the dizzy heights of Josh Davis's 1996 debut album, Endtroducing. More hip-hop based than anything else, it also includes forays into psychedelia and soul. Production is said to be (as usual) immaculate. September 18
DURUTTI COLUMN Bloodline
Manchester's Vinni Reilly teams up with his cousin's daughter (Helen Farley-Jones) to create unconventional Portishead-like vibes. Mid-October
FERGIE The Duchess
Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie draws inspiration from her crystal meth days to forge ahead with an album that could see her cop a load of Gwen Stefani-type solo success. The material is quite eclectic - it includes a reggae-influenced song, Mary Jane Shoes, and a club banger by the title of Fergielicious. Late September
TIM FINN Imaginary Kingdom
Brother of Neil and one-time member of Split Enz (whose stand-alone Best Of, The Collection, is released October 9th), Tim Finn releases yet another strong collection of melodic, considered pop songs. October 16
THE FRAMES The Cost
A new album from one of the most popular Irish bands of the past 10 years is always something of an event. Will this be the one to finally cross over? September 22
FRANZ FERDINAND Title TBC
Suckers for punishment, Scotland's Franz Ferdinand plan to release album number three before the end of the year. Expect a somewhat more Americanised sound, as lead singer and songwriter Alex Kapranos has been listening quite a lot to the likes of Amerie and Kanye West. Late 2006
ALBERT HAMMOND JR Yours to Keep
The Stokes' guitarist is the first of the band to release a solo album - not a good sign for the lifespan of the New York hep cats. Songs include Call an Ambulance, Everyone Gets a Star and Scared. Intelligent pop, by all accounts. Mid-October
YUSUF ISLAM Title TBC
Formerly known as Cat Stevens, Yusuf Islam releases his first album of pop songs in almost 30 years. Early reports of the record sounding like Teaser and the Firecat (Stevens/Islam's signature bedsit singer-songwriter album from 1971) have been discounted. Mid-October
BERT JANSCH The Black Swan
The grandfather of Brit folk releases a new record at a time when interest in psych-folk/nu-folk (whatever) is at an all-time high. Special guests include Devendra Banhart, Beth Orton and members of Mazzy Star and Espers. September 18
GEORGE JONES & MERLE HAGGARD Kicking Out the Footlights. Again
County music old-timers duet on five of each other's songs. It's the first time they've recorded together for more than 25 years. Mid-October
ELTON JOHN The Captain and the Kid
In which England's best loved songwriter to an audience of a certain age and gender disposition revisits his much-loved 1975 album, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboys. A sequel of sorts. September 18
THE KILLERS Sam's Town
The follow-up to 2004's Hot Fuss is one of the most anticipated records of the year, and judging by what we've heard so far it's a corker. Tracks include the Springsteen-esque My List, and a bona fide Killers anthem, Why Do I keep Counting? September 29
COURTNEY LOVE The Rehab Demos
Following stints in a secure rehab facility and then being held under house arrest for several months, it seems Courtney Love has had time to think and write. The album, Love's second solo work, does exactly what it says on the tin. Helping hands include old mucker Billy Corgan and songwriter-for-hire Linda Perry. Track titles include Stand Up Motherfucker and How Dirty Girls Get Clean. Nice you have you back, Love. Early November
ELEANOR MCEVOY Out There
Highly regarded Irish singer-songwriter releases a new album that highlights, in McEvoy's usually astute manner, the nature of wealth and the vagaries of love, life and art. September 8
MADNESS Title TBC
The Nutty Boys come out of the wilderness with the first batch of original Madness songs for more than seven years. The game plan is top-notch pop songs that visit London locations and characters. A return to the band's glory days? Stranger things have happened. Mid-October
MEAT LOAF Bat Out of Hell III - The Monster is Loose
Almost 30 years after the first one (20 million copies sold and counting), Meat Loaf unleashes the third in the BOoH series. Word on the dirty boulevards is that it's as heavy as sin - guitars courtesy of members of Mötley Crüe, Marilyn Manson, and a special guest axe appearance from Queen's Brian May. "Jaws will fall open," sayeth Meat. We'll see. Late October
JOANNA NEWSOM Ys
The queen of faerie psych-folk pushes out the boat with this new album, which sees her record her highly individual songs with a 30-piece orchestra. Steve Albini, Jim O'Rourke and Van Dyke Parks lend helping hands in the production, mixing and recording departments. September 29
OASIS Stop the Clocks
Not a Greatest Hits but, according to Noel Gallagher, a "definitive collection" featuring tracks hand-picked by the band. Tracks include Champagne Supernova, Cigarettes & Alcohol and Some Might Say. November 20
THE RAPTURE Pieces of the People We Love
New York post-punk revivalists snag Gnarls Barkley-helper Danger Mouse to kick them into shape. Says frontman Luke Jenner, "this is the most far-out thing we've done. We are now a lean, muscular funk unit." September 18
FIONN REGAN The End of History
Irish singer-songwriter already picking up the plaudits for his debut album, which places him somewhere between Nick Drake fans and Damien Rice acolytes. October 6
SCISSOR SISTERS Ta-dah
As if to say "Voila!, there you go mofos", the campest band on campus return with a second album that blends floor fillers with pop killers. Influences are brashly on parade - Elton John, Michael Jackson, George Michael, Bee Gees, 1970s disco and 1980s soft rock. Like, yowsah! September 15
SIMPLE KID Sk2
Cork electro/sampler singer and songwriter returns with another batch of askew pop songs. What we've heard so far we like. A lot. September 29
SPARKLEHORSE Dreamt for Light Years In the Belly of a Mountain
With co-producers Dave Fridman and Danger Mouse at work here, it's a safe bet to say that Mark Linkous's new record (five years in gestation) is a surefire oddity that will please the man's patient fans. Tom Waits guests on one song. Late September
STING Labyrinth - Songs of John Dowland
Sting throws the proverbial cat among the pigeons by recording works of Elizabethan composer John Dowland (1563-1626). Sting calls them "pop songs written at the turn of the 17th century". Track titles include The Most High and Mighty Christianus the Fourth, King of Denmark, His Galliard. Odds bodkins, m'Lady - let's see Tony Fenton get his chops around that one. October 13
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE Future Sex/Love Sounds
Cameron Diaz's bestest friend aims for Christmas chart glory with a record that includes duets with Nelly Furtado, Mario, Timbaland and India Arie. September 11
TRIVIUM The Crusade
Metal's latest contenders release a new album as they prepare to embark on a world tour with Iron Maiden. Flailing hair and air guitar solos a specialty. October 9
THE WHO Who2
It's been 23 years since the last Who album (1983's It's Hard), so this is not so much incredibly belated as highly anticipated. "They're got that Townshend magic," says Roger Daltrey of the songs. Fingers crossed. October 23
ROBBIE WILLIAMS Rudebox 74
The increasingly prolific Williams pours water over the recent Take That reunion with another mix'n'match of smarty-pants, tongue-in-cheek pop and whatever other style you're having yourself. Success on a plate and doesn't he know it. Late October
PATRICK WOLF The Magic Position
London-based singer-songwriter Wolf has Cork connections, which is probably why he's stranger than most (and we mean that in a good way). His new album continues his terrifically idiosyncratic ways with music that has been described as more Kate Bush than Kate Bush herself. Just in time for Halloween - excellent! Late October
• Also due between September and December are new albums from: Christine Aguilera, All Saints, Cradle of Filth, Deftones, Depeche Mode, Janet Jackson, Jet, Juliette Lewis and the Licks, Damien Jurado, Talib Kweli, Magic Numbers, Mars Volta, Joni Mitchell, Moby, My Chemical Romance, Bonnie Raitt, Steve Reich, Cliff Richard, Lionel Richie, Max Richter, Richard Swift, Jeff Tweedy, Keith Urban and Paul Weller.
Classical
OSVALDO GOLIJOV'S AINADAMAR
Ainadamar (Fountain of Tears), the Lorca-inspired opera by Osvaldo Golijov, who likes to blend Latin-American, klezmer and other flavours, makes its way onto disc with a cast headed by Dawn Upshaw. Deutsche Grammophon, September
GUSTAVO DUDAMEL CONDUCTS BEETHOVEN
Venezuelan Gustavo Dudamel, who conducted his first orchestral concert at 13, is now, in his mid-twenties, one of the hottest names around. His DG debut features Beethoven's Fifth and Seventh Symphonies with the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela. Deutsche Grammophon, September
HOLST'S PLANETS
Pluto may no longer be the planet it was, but Simon Rattle includes Colin Matthews's recent addition to Holst's The Planets in his new Berlin Philharmonic recording, along with specially-commissioned "asteroids" by Kaija Saariaho, Matthias Pintscher, Mark-Anthony Turnage and Brett Dean. EMI Classics, September
HANDEL'S MESSIAH
Dublin contralto Patricia Bardon features among the soloists in baroque specialist René Jacobs's new Messiah (a version of 1750) with the Freiburger Barockorchester. Harmonia Mundi, October
ANDREW MANZE DIRECTS CPE BACH
Andrew Manze, one of the most mercurial of period-instruments performers, turns his attention to four symphonies and a cello concerto (with Alison McGillivray) by CPE Bach, one of the most fascinatingly mercurial of 18th-century composers. Harmonia Mundi, October
KAGEL'S SZENARIO, DUODRAMEN, LITURGIEN
The engaging, unsettling music of Argentinian-born, Cologne-resident, jester-like Mauricio Kagel makes a first appearance on Naxos with the composer himself conducting. Naxos, December
- Michael Dervan
Trad
SHARON SHANNON & FRIENDS Double Live CD and DVD
Following her sold-out national tour in April, Sharon Shannon and her wily band captured the highs of the current line-up (including guests Damien Dempsey, Declan O'Rourke, Mundy, Roesy and Dessie O'Halloran) in Dolan's Warehouse, Limerick. September 22
ZOË CONWAY The Horse's Tail
Louth fiddler - whose solo debut raised pulses and eyebrows in one fell swoop - releases her long-awaited second CD, with a live DVD promised shortly afterwards. October 9
THE WEST OCEAN STRING QUARTET The Guiding Moon
Managing effortlessly to meld tradition and innovation like nothing on earth, the West Ocean String Quartet are set to release their second CD. October
TULLA CÉILÍ BAND Title TBC
Celebrating 60 years in existence, the mother and father of all céilí bands is set to release their latest CD on Claddagh Records. December
SEAMUS ENNIS Ceol, Scéalta agus Amhráin
A collection gleaned from the Gael Linn archives. September 8
- Siobhán Long
