5 New Albums To Check Out On September 19

Every week, music fans wait for Friday to get their hands on the week’s new releases. This Friday promises to be a good one, with new albums from Cardi B, Sarah McLachlan, Jesse McCartney, and more. Here is a look at this week’s releases and five you should definitely check out.

Cardi B — Am I The Drama? (Atlantic)

Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B is back with the follow-up to her 2018 smash-hit debut album Invasion of Privacy. Her sophomore effort, Am I The Drama?, is billed as a “bold evolution in her sound and storytelling.” according to Atlantic Records.  The release has been years in the making, with singles like “WAP” (2020) and “Up” (2021)  already having topped the charts. This year, the 32-year-old rapper has released two more Top 10 singles from the album, “Outside” and “Imaginary Playerz.” The album features guest vocals from Lizzo, Selena Gomez, Megan Thee Stallion, and Janet Jackson.

Sarah McLachlan — Better Broken (Concord)

Sarah McLachlan is another Grammy-winner with a new offering this Friday. Better Broken, McLachlan’s tenth studio album, was recorded with producers Tony Berg and Will Maclellan, who both recently worked with Phoebe Bridgers. The album features guitarist Wendy Melvoin (Prince and the Revolution), drummer Matt Chamberlain (Bob Dylan, David Bowie), and pedal-steel guitarist Greg Leisz (Kacey Musgraves, Florence + the Machine). The soul-searching title track, released back in June, delves into the 57-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter’s weathering of life’s constant battles and sets the tone for the whole album.

Jesse McCartney — Weightless EP (Blue Suit)

Pop singer, songwriter, and actor Jesse McCartney’s new EP Weightless also comes out Friday. The former Dream Street frontman is best known for his platinum singles “Beautiful Soul,” “Leavin’,” and “Body Language” in the 2000s. He also saw success as a songwriter, co-writing Leona Lewis’ 2007 smash hit “Bleeding Love.” The bubbly title track came out on August 1 and has fans comparing it to the vibes of his platinum debut album.

Zach Williams — Jesus Loves (Provident Label Group)

Christian rock artist Zach Williams returns this week with his new album Jesus Loves. The Grammy-winning singer has topped various Christian charts five times with singles like “Chainbreaker” and “There Was Jesus” (featuring Dolly Parton). The new album again blends his Bob Seger-like voice, Southern rock sounds, unwavering faith, and penchant for storytelling. The uplifting title track is out now and has reached as high as number three on Christian Airplay and Christian AC charts.

38 Special — Milestone (38 Special Records)

38 Special’s new album certainly is a Milestone. It celebrates the band’s 50th anniversary. As they enter their sixth decade, 38 Special is releasing its first studio album in more than 20 years. Known for hits like “Caught Up in You,” “Second Chance,” “Fantasy Girl,” and “Hold on Loosely,” the rockers have updated their sound without losing their trademark snarling guitars. While frontman Donnie Barnes is the only remaining original member, the band remains devoted to rock and roll and life on the road. The band is currently on tour with Kansas and Jefferson Starship in celebration of their 50-year legacy.

Other Releases

If those albums don’t fit your musical tastes, here are some of the other albums released on September 19.

• Afternoon Bike Ride — Running With Scissors (Friends Of Friends)
• Black Lips — Season Of The Peach (Fire Records)
• Boo Boos — Young Love (Play It Again Sam)
• Briscoe — Heat of July (ATO)
• Chase Rice — Eldora (Dack Janiels Records)
• The Favors — The Dream (Darkroom Records)
• Lawn — God Made the Highway (Exploding In Sound Records)
• Leith Ross — I Can See the Future (Republic Records)
• Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks — Buckingham Nicks (Buckingham Records) (re-issue/remaster)
• Greywind — Severed Heart City (FLG)
• Halima — Sweet Tooth (Drink Sum WTR)
• The Happy Fits — Lovesick (Diamond City)
• I Prevail — Violent Nature (Fearless Records)
• Joan Shelley — Real Warmth (No Quarter)
• Lola Young — I’m Only F**king Myself (Island)
• Los Straitjackets — Somos Los Straitjackets (Yep Roc Records)
• Motion City Soundtrack — The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World (Epitaph)
• Native Sun — Concrete Language (TODO)
• Nine Inch Nails — Tron: Ares (Original Motion Picture) (The Null Corporation/Walt Disney Records)
• Public Opinion — Perpetual Motion Machine EP (SideOneDummy)
• ROME — Gemini EP (5 Music Incorporated)
• The Third Mind — Right Now! (Yep Roc)
• Total Wife — Come Back Down (Julia’s War Recordings)
• Wednesday — Bleeds (Dead Oceans)
• Wilder Maker — The Streets Like Beds Still Warm (Western Vinyl)