Years are divided into seasons, and each one is three months. The latest, fall, just started!
As far as L.A. music, it's shaping up to be a winner. Big things are expected from veterans and rookies alike. Here are our picks for five you should look out for.
5. Dom Kennedy
Get Home Safely
Due Date: October 1
You may be forgiven for sleeping on Dom Kennedy; he's an independent dude who sometimes lacks visibility. But has there ever been a better time for talented rappers to establish themselves outside the major system? That's what this L.A. beat bully has been doing with his batch of (mostly) celebrated mixtapes for a minute. The journey continues on Get Home Safely, and our expectations are high.
See also: Our Dom Kennedy feature profile
4. Best Coast
Fade Away
Due Date: October 22
Twosome Best Coast — featuring singer Bethany Consentino and multi-instrumentalist Bobb Bruno — are L.A. in the way we all want to be. If all of their new 7-song EP, Fade Away is as good as its single “I Don't Know How,” then we're all-in.
See also: The Branding of Best Coast
3. Mazzy Star
Seasons of Your Day
Due Date: September 24
Known best for their '90s hit “Fade Into You,” Mazzy Star is quite underrated, and lots of people don't realize that singer Hope Sandoval was one of L.A.'s first Latin alternative artists. In any case, Seasons of Your Day is the act's first album since 1996. (!)
2. Jonwayne
Rap Album One
Due Date: October 29
Rapper/producer Jonwayne is the man, and we're psyched for his Rap Album One, whose cover features a cracker. Lead single “Reflection” has a jazzy sample and a stream of Jay Electronica-like rhymes in the front. Hard to see how this could miss.
See also: Jonwayne Is On Some Good Philosophical Shit
1. Haim
Days Are Gone
Due Date: September 30
We know what to expect from Haim (rhymes with “time”): power-pop anthems, complex harmonies, and plenty of “heys!” (Ask anyone who picked up last summer's Forever EP.) They've made an art of winking to '80s grooves. Their boss melodies suck you in and wash you over in synth-rock waves. It's all kinda terrifyingly gorgeous.
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