Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman Karen O will be releasing her debut solo record, Crush Songs, on September 9 via Cult Records. This aptly named infatuation-centric first foray into the solo realm will be available in multiple formats, including a special vinyl edition release that incorporates Karen’s own drawings, handwritten lyrics and a personal note … The Ryan Adams-produced sophomore effort from multi-talented British producer, musician and visionary Ethan Johns will be available stateside on August 12. A full-fledged concept album, The Reckoning (Three Crows) follows a fictional character, James Younger, through the 1850s American frontier … Alt-rock veterans Alejandro Escovedo, Ivan Julian, Nicholas Tremulis and Linda Pitmon have teamed up to form the Fauntleroys, and recently announced the September 16 release of their six-track debut, Below The Pink Pony. Reportedly the antithesis of a supergroup, the Fauntleroys played their first shows together at tis year’s SXSW, and plan to take the band on the road once the album drops via Plowboy Records … Weatherhouse, Radiohead drummer Phillip Selway’s second LP, is set for issue on October 7 in the U.S. on Bella Union. Selway, along with collaborating artists Adem Ilhan and Quinta, will be accompanying a special run of shows with the Rambert Dance Company in Southbank in early July … The Best Of The Specials has been set for a September 9 release from Parlophone. This 20-song hit collection tracks British ska-punkers the Specials’ prolific career and distintive sound, and will be available both on CD and digitally … For the first time in more than a decade, Grammy Award-winning Midge Ure will be releasing a new album. The 10 track Fragile will be available August 18 via eOne Music, and followed up by a United States tour in August and September … Julian Casablancas + The Voidz’ debut album, Tyranny, will be issued September 23 on Casablancas’ own Cult Records. The group’s fall U.S. tour kicks off in Philadelphia on October 16 … Cult folk artist Vashti Bunyan has announced the release of her first studio album since 2005, Heartleap, on October 7 via DiCristina. This third studio effort on will be followed up by a U.K. fall tour … Failure, the groundbreaking debut from power-pop rockers the Posies, is set for reissue on CD and vinyl on August 19 via Omnivore Recordings. Tour dates are to be announced shortly after the reissue’s release.
—Noah Silvestry
