POP
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
“The Speed of Things”
Producers: Joshua Epstein, Daniel Zott, Ben West
label: Warner Bros.
Release date: Oct. 8
The artful Detroit duo rolls on as the bastard child of the Flaming Lips and the Beach Boys on its second album. But “The Speed of Things” shows significant growth beyond 2011’s “It’s a Corporate World,” with tighter, more focused songcraft that lets the pair’s playful sonics support rather than star in these 13 tracks. -Gary Graff
ROCK
Lee Ranaldo & the Dust
“Last Night on Earth”
Producers: Lee Ranaldo, Ted Young, Steve Shelley, Alan Licht
label: Matador
Related
Release date: Oct. 8
Written largely on acoustic guitar, this second album from former Sonic Youth guitarist Ranaldo (and a group including SY drummer Steve Shelley) often trades in his old band’s overwhelming rock blowouts for more straight-ahead fare (“Lecce, Leaving”), mellower folk-rock (“Late Descent No. 2”) and the noise of a longtime Grateful Dead fan (“Blackt Out”). -Joe Gross
LATIN
Diego Garcia
“Paradise”
Producer: Jorge Elbrecht
label: Concord Records
Release date: Oct. 8
Garcia’s second full-length as a solo artist zips through the romantic narrative with sweet melodies that throw back to a ’60s vibe. Smooth vocals backed by poetic lyrics also touch on his Latin roots with the catchy “Donde Estas” (Where Are You), giving way to another stellar release. -Justino Aguila
ROCK
Korn
“The Paradigm Shift”
Producer: Don Gilmore
label: Prospect Park
Release date: Oct. 8
Following a dubstep detour in 2011, Korn is back on metal footing, with original guitarist Brian “Head” Welch in tow. The demons the members have faced are felt everywhere: There’s a menacing quality to “Love and Meth” and the old-school Korn thrash of “Prey for Me.” It’s a hard listen in the best sense of the word. -Jill Menze
ROCK
Sleigh Bells
“Bitter Rivals”
Producer: Derek Miller
label: Mom + Pop
Release date: Oct. 8
After an introductory “Hi,” it’s clear we’re being met by Sleigh Bells. The title track from the duo’s third album wastes no time launching into a full-on assault with shredding, noisy electric guitar and abrasive hip-hop beats. It’s almost unrelenting, but singer Alexis Krauss helps balance it out with breathy, sweet vocals (“Love Sick”) next to ’90s pop grooves (“Young Legends”). -Jill Menze
ROCK
Panic! at the Disco
“Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!”
Producer: Butch Walker
label: Fueled by Ramen/Decaydance
Release date: Oct. 8
Panic! at the Disco revisits its glam, synth-driven origins on the band’s flamboyant, glitzy fourth album. From boisterous single “Miss Jackson” to ambient ’80s throwback “Far Too Young to Die,” frontman Brendon Urie explores the places synth and rock meet, generally to compelling effect. -Emily Zelmer