The Rolling Stones’ ‘Hackney Diamonds’ and 10 More Fall Albums We Can’t Wait to Hear

The Stones are back! Along with Willie Nelson, the Pretenders, Keanu Reeves, Dolly Parton and more

Edna Gundersen,

AARP

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En español

Published September 05, 2023

darius rucker holding a microphone onstage, mick jagger of the rolling stones singing into a microphone during a performance onstage and dolly parton pointing her finger in the air

(Left to right) Darius Rucker, Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones and Dolly Parton

NDZ/Star Max/GC Images; Javier Bragado/Redferns; Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Besides the big news, the Rolling Stones’ imminent album of new music, this fall’s bounty of new albums hopscotches from bluegrass and country to pop, instrumental jazz and rock. And people are in a buying mood: Sales of CDs, vinyl and cassettes were up 13.3 percent from 2022 in the first half of the year, and for the first time ever, the industry surpassed 1 trillion streams in three months. But what to listen to? We spotlight 11 essential albums for grownup music fans (and also check out the 14 fall music tours you can’t afford to miss).

The Rolling Stones, Hackney Diamonds

When: The details will be revealed Sept. 6 at 9:25 a.m. Eastern time in Jimmy Fallon’s interview with Mick Jagger, 80, Keith Richards, 79, and Ron Wood, 76, on YouTube.

What to expect: It’s the Stones’ first album of new songs in 18 years, and their first after the death of drummer Charlie Watts in 2021. The band teased the album with the release of part of one tune, “Angry” (also known as “Don’t Get Angry With Me”). Richards told Rolling Stone the album will feature Watts’ last Stones recordings, and it is widely anticipated that Paul McCartney, 81, plays on the album. Check this page for updates!

Willie Nelson, Bluegrass

When: Sept. 15

What to expect: Willie Nelson, 90 and busier than ever, takes his first deep dive into bluegrass on his 151st album. On this 12-track collection produced by longtime collaborator Buddy Cannon, Nelson and his bluegrass ensemble interpret a dozen personal and fan favorites from the country outlaw’s catalog, including “On the Road Again,” “Bloody Mary Morning” and “Yesterday’s Wine.” All were written by Nelson except “Good Hearted Woman,” which he wrote with Waylon Jennings.

Catch his Outlaw Music Festival tour: Sept. 8-Oct. 18

**The Pretenders, Relentless (Rhino)**

When: Sept. 15

What to expect: Cowritten by singer-guitarist Chrissie Hynde, 71, and guitarist James Walbourne, the album’s 12 tracks include the sweeping ballad “I Think About You Daily,” featuring Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood, 51, who composed and conducted strings. And fans of her old band will want to hear the single “A Love” — Hynde calls it “the most traditional Pretenders-sounding song on the album, in the vein of ‘Kid’ or ‘Talk of the Town’ or any of the midtempo ones over the years.”

Herb Alpert, Wish Upon a Star

When: Sept. 15

What to expect: Legendary Tijuana Brass trumpeter Herb Alpert, 88, casts a wide net across music history with spirited horn interpretations of everything from the Beatles’ “And I Love Her” to the Frank Sinatra chestnut “Poinciana” to Pinocchio’s theme “When You Wish Upon a Star.” He covers Jerry Reed’s “East Bound and Down” and Elvis Presley’s hit “(Marie’s the Name) His Latest Flame.” Alpert also takes on “Father and Son” by Cat Stevens and “We’ve Only Just Begun” by the Carpenters, artists who were signed to his storied A&M label.

Catch Herb Alpert on tour: Sept. 16-Jan. 31

Kylie Minogue, Tension

When: Sept. 22

What to expect: After dabbling in country pop on 2018’s Golden and dance on 2020’s Disco, Kylie Minogue, 55, delivers a broad, eclectic set of joyful electropop. “Unlike my last two albums, there wasn’t a theme,” she said in May. “It was about finding the heart or the fun or the fantasy of that moment. I would say it’s a blend of personal reflection, club abandon and melancholic high.” Seven of the 11 tracks were produced and written with her longtime collaborators, Biff Stannard and Duck Blackwell.

Wilco, Cousin

When: Sept. 29

What to expect: The indie rock band takes a decidedly modern turn, thanks in part to Welsh artist Cate Le Bon, who encouraged Wilco to take risks. She brought in saxophone, drum machines and budget-brand Japanese guitars, lending a fresh sound to a band already known for stretching boundaries. It’s the first time Wilco has enlisted an outside producer since 2007’s Sky Blue Sky. Le Bon said, “They’re so mercurial, and there’s this thread of authenticity that flows through everything they do.”

Catch Wilco on tour: Sept. 25-Oct. 27

Darius Rucker, Carolyn’s Boy

When: Oct. 6

What to expect: Rucker’s first solo album in six years is named after his late mother, a nurse who died before he rose to fame in country music. On the Today show, the singer, 57, called Carolyn’s Boy an “homage to the greatest woman I’ve ever known.” The 14 tracks include his chart-topping “Beers and Sunshine,” current single “Fires Don’t Start Themselves” and “Ol’ Church Hymn,” a collaboration with Chapel Hart. Ed Sheeran is a cowriter on the song “Sara.”

Catch Rucker’s Starting Fires Tour: through Oct. 14

Rick Astley, Are We There Yet?

When: Oct. 6

What to expect: The veteran British singer, 57, inescapably bound to 1987 megahit and 21st-century meme video “Never Gonna Give You Up,” releases the third album that he’s written, recorded, performed and produced in his London home studio. As for the album’s title, “that phrase has multiple meanings,” he’s explained. “Are we there yet in my musical ambitions? Am I done with my career? Have we arrived? Or are we still traveling?” This collection of blue-eyed soul was inspired by his devotion to such greats as Bill Withers, Al Green and Marvin Gaye. The 12 tracks include upbeat single “Dippin My Feet” and stark piano ballad “Blue Sky,” a reflection on the stillness brought by the lockdown.

Dogstar, Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees

When: Oct. 6

What to expect: After a long hiatus, the Los Angeles indie rock band returns with its first album in two decades, introduced by the single “Everything Turns Around,” a buoyant slice of midtempo power pop. The trio, boosted by the celebrity profile of its singer-bassist, actor Keanu Reeves, 58, released debut Our Little Visionary in 1996 and sophomore album Happy Ending in 2000, and disbanded in 2002.

Reba McEntire, Not That Fancy

When: Oct. 6

What to expect: McEntire, 68, serves up stripped-down, acoustic versions of several big country hits, including “Somebody Should Leave,” “How Blue,” “One Promise Too Late” and “The Last One to Know.” She teams with Dolly Parton, 77, on “Does He Love You” and Brooks & Dunn on “If You See Him, If You See Her.” The 14-track compilation also boasts a new song, “Seven Minutes in Heaven.” The album is a companion to her book Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots, also out Oct. 6.

Dolly Parton, Rockstar

When: Nov. 17

What to expect: Stunned at her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year, the country superstar initially declined the honor, then decided to record her first rock album to justify the award. The 30-track Rockstar finds Parton collaborating with a host of rock luminaries, including John Fogerty, 78, Ann Wilson, 73, Sheryl Crow, 61, Pink, Stevie Nicks, 75, and goddaughter Miley Cyrus. Paul McCartney, 81, and Ringo Starr, 83, join her on the Beatles’ “Let It Be.” She and Sting, 71, duet on the Police classic “Every Breath You Take.” Debbie Harry, 78, joins her to revive Blondie’s “Heart of Glass.” Elton John, 76, lends his vocals to “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.” And Parton goes it alone on Prince’s “Purple Rain” and her own “World on Fire.”