5 big albums to check out in August

Some very exciting albums are being released this month

Are you enjoying the summer? Have you run out of songs to soundtrack those sunny days, or are you looking for something new?

Summertime is traditionally a quieter time of the year for releases as bands and artists instead concentrate on touring and playing festivals - but there's still some big albums on the way in August.

THE KILLERS – 'Pressure Machine' [August 6^th]

Just a year after their last release, Brandon Flowers and co. unveil their seventh album. 'Pressure Machine' is a concept album of-sorts, with songs, stories and characters based around Flowers' childhood in the town of Nephi, Utah. It's said to be a different prospect to their usual indie-rock fare; colour us intrigued.

LORDE – 'Solar Power' [August 20^th]

It's been a lonnnnng wait for Lorde fans, but the follow-up to 2017's 'Melodrama' is finally here. The Kiwi pop star's third album was produced by Jack Antonoff (who also co-wrote most of the songs) and features twelve new tracks, including the previously-released title track and 'Stoned at the Nail Salon'.

MARTHA WAINWRIGHT – 'Love Will Be Reborn' [August 20^th]

Martha Wainwright fans have been champing at the bit for quite a while now, eager to hear new material; it's been five years since 'Goodnight City' was released. It's also her first since her divorce from Brad Albetta, who was also her producer and bassist in her band. In more recent times, she has established a live music venue/creative hub/cafe called Ursa in Montreal, and this album was made in the building's basement.

VILLAGERS – 'Fever Dreams' [August 20^th]

Would you believe us if we told you that this is probably Villagers' best album so far? Conor O'Brien has set the bar pretty high with his discography to date, but the songs on 'Fever Dreams' have a new sense of depth, clarity, purpose and creativity that we didn't even realise was missing from his material. These are simply great, great songs on a tracklist that works from beginning to end, taking your hand and pulling you through a woozy, rich-sounding, imaginative landscape that explores new depths for the Dubliner and his band.

CHVRCHES – 'Screen Violence' [August 27^th]

They've already released a couple of singles from this album, one of which featured none other than Cure frontman Robert Smith. Will the Scottish trio's fourth album live up to expectations? Their previous records suggest that they're well capable of making daring and provocative electropop albums, and that title - which feeds into some of the album's themes – promises something for fans to really sink their teeth into.