The most anticipated fall album releases: Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson and more

<h4>Taylor Swift</h4> <p><strong>Reputation</strong></p></p> <p>There was a time when headlines routinely seemed to be about Taylor and her ever-changing love life. Being in the centre of that media cauldron – and the ensuing celebrity feuds that dogged her – is reflected on the cover of the pop superstar’s sixth studio album and its vengeful first single. “I got smarter, I got harder,” Taylor sings on “Look What You Made Me Do,” before promising to be “the actress starring in your bad dreams.” A darker side is also apparent in “Ready for It?,” a lustful song full of throbbing electronic and dance-hall influences. Yes, the old Taylor is gone. Welcome to the new Taylor – tougher and more grown-up. (Nov. 10)</p>
<h4>Carla Bruni</h4> <p><strong>French Touch </strong></p> <p>A piano version of Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy the Silence” is one of 11 surprising covers by France’s former first lady. Produced by David Foster, the collection includes some intriguing song choices that raise some questions, including: is the star’s rendition of Tammy Wynette’s classic “Stand by Your Man” a tribute to her ex-president husband, Nicolas Sarkozy, and is her slinky take on the Rolling Stones’ “Miss You” a nod to her former paramour Mick Jagger? (Oct. 6)</p>
<h4>Barenaked Ladies</h4> <p><strong>Fake Nudes </strong></p> <p>With the band’s 30th anniversary on the horizon, the Ladies’ latest album has a celebratory feel, captured in the optimistic first single “Lookin’ Up.” “We live in a world that tends to emphasize the negative,” says frontman Ed Robertson. “I think it’s important to try and have a broader perspective.” With guests including Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy and Great Big Sea’s Alan Doyle, the new album promises to be a giddy affair. (Nov. 17)</p>
<h4>Billy Ray Cyrus</h4> <p><strong>Set the Record Straight </strong></p> <p>The man behind “Achy Breaky Heart” retools some of his best-known songs with an all-star cast of artists. Bryan Adams joins Billy Ray on “Hey Elvis,” Aerosmith’s Joe Perry contributes to “Tulsa Time,” and George Jones and Loretta Lynn add their Nashville pedigree to “Country Music Has the Blues.” Other highlights on the 15-track collection include a pair of remixes and duets with Shelby Lynne (“Thin Line”) and Billy Ray’s famous daughter Miley (“Stand”). (Nov. 10)</p>
<h4>Pink</h4> <p><strong>Beautiful Trauma </strong></p> <p>She’s back with her first album since 2012’s The Truth About Love. To get the party restarted, the Grammy-winning, singer born Alecia Moore, kicks it off with “What About Us,” a plea for compassion in turbulent times that starts out as a ballad before building to a defiant dance anthem. “Sticks and stones, they may break these bones,” sings Pink,“but then I’ll be ready – it’s the start of us.” (Oct. 13)</p>
<h4>Dhani Harrison</h4> <p><strong>IN/PARALLEL</strong></p> <p>The son of George Harrison has taken after his adventurous ex-Beatle father, working with experimental bands Fistful of Mercy and Thenewno2, while collaborating with the likes of Prince and Pearl Jam. Now Dhani, 39, is releasing his solo debut album, featuring such potent numbers as the Eastern-tinged “Never Know,” the orchestral “Admiral of Upside Down” and “All About Waiting,” a cautionary tale about societal change that mixes swirling psychedelia with driving electronica. (Oct. 6)</p>
<h4>Boyz II Men</h4> <p><strong>Under the Streetlight </strong></p> <p>The celebrated R&amp;B trio from Philadelphia pays homage to its doo-wop roots on this album that founding member Nathan Morris calls a “passion project.” The Boyz put their sweet vocal spin on such classics as “Stay,” “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” and “I Only Have Eyes for You” and team up with Brian McKnight on “Tears on My Pillow” and Take 6 on “A Thousand Miles Away.” It all adds up to harmony heaven. (Oct. 20)</p>
<h4>Kelly Clarkson</h4> <p><strong>Meaning of Life </strong></p> <p>Sometimes a change of record labels can make the world of difference to an artist. In Kelly’s case, it’s transformative. The “Miss Independent” singer says her last record contract was like an “arranged marriage,” while her new one has provided creative freedom that led to this powerful new soul album. “Love So Soft” sounds like an exuberant cross between Adele’s “Send My Love (To Your New Lover)” and Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk,” while “Move You” is a slow and shimmering expression of love. “Texas women do it bigger,” Kelly sings proudly on “Whole Lotta Woman,” proving the 35-year-old Texan superstar has never been happier or more confident. (Oct. 27)</p>
<h4>U2</h4> <p><strong>Songs of Experience </strong></p> <p>“The wickedness in the world, we just let it perforate the [new] album,” said Bono, who still promises a personal collection of songs, not a “polemic.” That’s certainly the case with “You’re the Best Thing About Me,” a catchy follow-up track to “The Blackout,” with its apocalyptic lyrics. When the latter song was posted on U2’s Facebook page, it was accompanied with the hopeful message: “In the darkness where we learn to see.” (Dec. 1)</p> <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images</p>
<h4>Various Artists</h4> <p><strong>The Life &amp; Songs of Kris Kristofferson </strong></p> <p>Nashville turned out in full force to honour him at his 80th birthday last year. Now, the songwriting legend is the subject of this sumptuous CD/DVD package that features tribute performances from Alison Krauss, Martina McBride and others. Highlights include Reba McEntire performing his “Me and Bobby McGee” and Lady Antebellum covering “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” while Willie Nelson joins Kris on his epic “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.” (Oct. 27)</p>
<h4>The Tenors</h4> <p><strong>Christmas Together </strong></p> <p>The harmony-rich voices of Victor Micallef, Clifton Murray and Fraser Walters blend as smoothly as rum and eggnog on these Yuletide selections. Canada’s classical-pop trio serves up “Santa’s Wish,” written to the tune of “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing,” and such seasonal favourites as “Little Drummer Boy” and a rousing a cappella version of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” sung with country star Johnny Reid. (Oct. 13) </p>
<h4>Elvis Presley</h4> <p><strong>Christmas with Elvis and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra </strong></p> <p>Marking the 60th anniversary of Elvis’ Christmas Album, this collection combines selections from that album and others from Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas and reimagines them with backing from the famed orchestra. While it’s always a joy to hear the King swing away on the playful “Santa Bring My Baby Back (to Me),” the real treat is the string-backed version of his classic “Blue Christmas.” (Oct. 6) </p>
<h4>98 Degrees</h4> <p><strong>Let It Snow </strong></p> <p>It’s been 20 years since the Los Angeles boy band made its debut – and almost as long since the group’s first holiday album, the bestselling This Christmas. This time, brothers Nick and Drew Lachey, Justin Jeffre and Jeff Timmons tackle less familiar holiday staples like “Mary, Did You Know?” and “What Christmas Means to Me” while offering one original composition, the sparkling, finger-popping “This Gift.” (Oct. 13) </p>
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