After a summer all about music singles, the album is back in a big way in September. We have selected new records by Ariel Pink, LCD Soundsystem and Miley Cyrus but we're also excited about offerings from The Horrors, Rostam, The National, Gucci Mane and Wolf Alice.
As the nights draw in, you can treat yourself to new series of some top TV shows or head to the cinema for some pretty decent fare (including – shiver – It). And, if you can leave the house again after that horror reboot, there are some incredible art shows, the most exciting of which must be Basquiat at the Barbican.
Basquiat: Boom for Real, Barbican, from 21st September
It's so exciting to have the first ever large-scale Basquiat exhibition in London. The New York artist – who died of a heroin overdose at the age of 27 in 1988 – has gone from underground downtown artist during his lifetime to this May setting a new record high for any American artist at auction, with a painting selling for $110.5m (£85m). The exhibition will feature more than 100 works from international museums and private collections (Jay-Z and Johnny Depp are collectors, as was David Bowie).
Ariel Pink, Dedicated To Bobby Jameson, released 15th September
Every time I poured myself an Aperol this summer, I immediately put on "Another Weekend", the first single from Ariel Pink's new record. I must have listened to it at least, well, who's counting? With this taster being my drinking partner for the last couple months, I look forward to what the rest of Ariel Pink's album has to offer to establish whether we might be able to go steady.
It, in cinemas 8th September
I saw the trailer for this Stephen King reboot a couple of weeks ago and literally everyone in the cinema had their hands over their eyes and was doing that nervous laughter thing. I’ve never really understood why so many people are terrified of clowns – I suspect enlightenment is just around the corner (or down the storm drain…).
LCD Soundsystem, American Dream, 1st September
Listening to “All My Friends” from the seminal Sound of Silver always conjures up the dying hours of a house party – that not-quite-real space just before dawn, when the sky’s beginning to lighten and everything goes a bit hazy. I will never, ever stop loving that album. Now there’s new material and my expectations are sky-high. James Murphy, please don’t let me down.
God’s Own Country, in cinemas 1st September
Francis Lee's debut tells the contemporary tale of Johnny, a young sheep farmer working in rural England. When a beautiful Romanian worker temporarily joins the farm, Johnny's humdrum and lonely life is shaken up. From the trailer alone, you can see this is going to be a standout British film, full of palpable tension and touching sensitivity.
Lorde, Melodrama UK Tour, from 26th September
Lorde's touring her second album, which I've had on repeat since I first heard it. I am indescribably excited to sing along, pint in hand, to every. Single. Track. From energy-building opener "Green Light" to the Kate Bush-esque "Writer In The Dark" and the euphoric final song "Perfect Places". God I love her. Listen to the album, now.
Gucci Mane, Mr. Davis, released 15th September
Radric Delantic Davis – aka Gucci Mane, aka one of the pioneers of trap music – is dropping his 11th(!) studio album on 15th September and I’m counting down the days. The self-titled Mr. Davis also features the likes of The Weeknd, A$AP Rocky, Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign. *Fans self*
Re:imagine: Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy , 17th September
Kanye’s masterful fifth album, released in 2010, is frequently ranked as his best studio album and I still find myself listening to it on the reg – often ahead of The Life of Pablo, which I also adore. So I’m both excited and intrigued to hear what it sounds like played by a 16-piece orchestra this month.
Designated Survivor Season 2, Netflix, 28th September
It's the TV show that's the definition of the term "guilty pleasure". It stars Kiefer Sutherland as the mild-mannered government secretary suddenly named president of the United States after a bombing kills everyone at the State Of The Union address. Kiefer for president IRL, we say.
Mother! in cinemas 15th September
Director Darren Aronofsky's latest film looks all kinds of creepy. It stars Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Michelle Pfeiffer and Ed Harris, and any plot spoilers have been super hushed-up. Aronofsky says: “It is closer to Black Swan in spirit than anything I have done in a while.”
British Fast5s All-Stars Championship, O2 Arena, 23rd September 5-10pm
It's been a fantastic summer for sport, starting with the Women's Euros through to the World Athletics Champs last month. I'll be heading to the Netball Fast5s for a furiously fast-paced version of the game we all know too well from school. Tickets from £20 and live coverage on Sky Sports Arena from 5.30pm.
Rachel Whiteread, Tate Britain, from 12th September
For the monthly dose of inspiration, sculpture is landing firmly on the map, courtesy of Rachel Whiteread at Tate Britain. The first female winner of the Turner Prize (1993) brings life to the insides of everyday objects, casting them using industrial materials.
Miley Cyrus, Younger Now, released 29th September
"Change is a thing you can count on" proclaims a rejuvenated Miley on her latest single. Certainly in the four years since Bangerz, the singer seems to have done a complete 360, trading in her wrecking ball and twerking in favour of a softer aesthetic and sound which harks back to her Hannah Montana days. A bold move for one of the most controversial pop stars of our time.
American Horror Story: Cult, starts 8th September on Fox UK
Over the course of six seasons, Glee producer Ryan Murphy's endlessly inventive and quirky horror anthology has established itself as a yearly TV highlight. Fans eagerly wait to see which cast members will be returning and which famous faces will pick up guest roles, with past star turns from Maroon 5's Adam Levine and Lady Gaga. The seventh season, subtitled Cult, is set against the intriguing backdrop of the 2016 US election.
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