Janelle Monae, The Weeknd Release Albums; Drake Hits ‘Late Night With Jimmy Fallon’ On Friday

Welcome to Buzzworthy’s “The Week In Pop,” where we round up new album releases, talk show musical guests, TV performances by your favorite pop stars, and more (so you don’t have to).

This week, Janelle Monáe unleashes her 19-song (!) sophomore album, The Electric Lady (check out Buzzworthy’s track-by-track review), MTV Artist To Watch The Weeknd makes his full-length debut with Kiss Land, and Madonna releases MDNA World Tour on CD and DVD. Also, Tonight Alive drops The Other Side, Kaskade streets Atmosphere, and Arctic Monkeys release AM.

To kick off your weekend right on Friday, catch Mel B (aka, the Spice Girls‘ Scary Spice and “America’s Got Talent” judge) on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” and don’t miss Drake on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” later that evening.

Janelle Monae releases 'The Electric Lady' this week!

NEW ALBUM RELEASES

+ Janelle MonáeThe Electric Lady: Monáe’s sophomore album serves as the next chapter in the story of alter-ego android/ singer Cindi Mayweather, the sci-fi cyborg hero first introduced on her debut EP, Metropolis. Set in the dystopian world alluded to in her “Dance Apocalyptic” video, the album buoys Monáe’s intoxicating vocals with R&B, funk, cinematic forays, and searing guitars. Highlights include “Give Em What They Love” with Prince, “Q.U.E.E.N.” featuring Erykah Badu, the Miguel-assisted “Primetime,” and the title track with Solange.

+ The Weeknd, Kiss Land: There’s a provocative, chilling detachment in the words of Abel Tesfaye (aka, The Weeknd), where disillusionment with women, sex, and fame abound. Paired with the fragile tone of his soulful singing — which often sounds like he’s just barely keeping it together before letting his voice soar on tracks like “Love In The Sky” — it’s a potent mix. Watch the videos for “Belong To The World” and  “Kiss Land.”

+ Madonna, MDNA World Tour: In case you missed Madonna’s most recent tour (or simply want to revisit it), the concert footage will be released as a live digital album, as well as on DVD and Blue Ray, tomorrow. Get a taste of the Madge-esty with her live “Vogue” music video recorded on the tour.

Check out more new album releases, upcoming TV appearances, and performances after the jump.

+ Tonight Alive, The Other Side: Buzz On alums Tonight Alive’s second album finds the Australian pop-punk quintet honing their sound, with a mix of post-hardcore, pop, and rock. Watch the video for “Lonely Girl,” and listen to “The Fire,” which frontwoman Jenna McDougall revealed was her favorite during her track-by-track breakdown.

Kaskade, Atmosphere: On his eighth studio album, EDM artist Ryan Raddon (aka, Kaskade) added his own vocals to the title track, “Atmosphere” — his first time ever doing so. He told MTV News: “I was a little shy about that, a little nervous just cause I’ve never done it before but it’s been awesome, now I play the song at shows and to see everyone singing along and seeing how it resonates with my audience is very rewarding.”

+ Arctic MonkeysAM: For their fifth effort, Arctic Monkeys enlisted Queens Of The Stone Age‘s Josh Homme, Elvis Costello‘s drummer Pete Thomas, and The Coral‘s ex-guitarist Bill Ryder Jones as collaborators. Check out the sexy strut of lead single “Do I Wanna Know?” and the uncannily accurate ode to booty calls (not that we’d know anything about that) entitled “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”

TV APPEARANCES AND PERFORMANCES

Monday, Sept. 9
“Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” — Goldfrapp
“The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” — Backstreet Boys
“Good Morning America” — Lady Gaga

Tuesday, Sept. 10
“Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” — Volcano Choir
“Conan” — Local Natives
“Live! With Kelly And Michael” — Sean Kingston
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” — Kelly Rowland

Wednesday, Sept. 11
“Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” — MGMT
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” — Celine Dion

Thursday, Sept. 12
“The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” — OneRepublic
“Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” — Alt-J
“Conan” — Wavves

Friday, Sept. 13
“The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” — Buena Vista Social Club
“Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” — Drake
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” — Mel B

Photo credit: Atlantic Records

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