MUMBAI: The Independence week provided the listeners an unexpected surprise from the most popular metal band, two new singles from Bon Iver, a unique visual treat from Frank Ocean and a collaboration between two songwriters.

The return of Metallica

In an unexpected development, possibly the most commercially successful metal band ‘Metallica’ announced yesterday its plans of releasing the upcoming double album ‘Hardwired… To Self-Destruct’. The double album will release on 18 November. The announcement of the double album was not the only exciting development to come through, as the band released the single ‘Hardwired’ off the album on all streaming platforms, including YouTube. After a forgettable album effort with Lou Reed titled ‘Lulu’, Metallica would surely hope the faithful find a pretty metal reason to defend the band and its music that has lately passed through a lot of scrutiny. And in all fairness, the new single might convince the critics that the good ol’ Metallica is finally back. On the album, drummer Lars Ulrich said, "It definitely sounds like Metallica. It's probably a little less frenetic than the last record. The last one [producer] Rick Rubin really encouraged us to for the first time be inspired by our past. It was the first time we sort of looked in the rearview mirror. This time around it's a little bit of a different thing."

Listen to the track -

Winning from Wisconsin

The highly anticipated Bon Iver album finally made its way to its fans through the release of two new singles. Titled ’22, A Million’, the third studio album comprises of new music after five years, ending its brief hiatus. The band released ‘22’ and ’10 d E A T h b R E a s T’ and the two singles personify everything that Bon Iver is an example of. Experimenting with sounds while maintaining the original sound has been an attribute that the nine-year long band usually receives the credit for, and the intro to both songs justify the claim. ’22, A Million’ would not act as a sequel to its last album ‘Bon Iver, Bon Iver’, and the sounds of the latest two releases suggest the massive shift in the band’s influences and approaches. However, at the end of the day, the band manages to create the famous Bon Iver vibe and essentially proved why brief hiatuses are vital for any music act.

Listen to the single ’22 (Over S??n ) here -

Nobody but Michael Buble

Joining the list of this week’s releases is another Canadian-born singer/songwriter – Michael Buble. The 40-year-old will release his ninth studio album ‘Nobody But Me’ on 21 October, and similar to every album promotion by almost every artist ever, the singer released the single ‘Nobody But Me’ on 18 August. Featuring Black Thought (of The Roots), the single acts as a sneak peek to what the album beholds for Buble’s fans all over the world. It’s a typical Buble song, one that will not disappoint his loyal listeners, and the collaboration with Black Thought does steer the sound with a refreshing welcoming wave.

Hear ‘Nobody But Me’ now

A Visual Treat

Frank Ocean finally released new material, through Apple Music, titled ‘Endless’. The video livestream on Ocean’s website features the songwriter in the video creating a structure while the music continues to play throughout. Only Apple subscribers can have the access to the video and the new song. The visual album is not to be confused with the highly anticipated Ocean album ‘Boys Don’t Cry’, reported to be released this weekend. The 28-year-old songwriter’s ‘Endless’ becomes his third studio album, and first in four years. The track-list to Endless include ‘Alabama’, ‘Mine’, ‘U-N-I-T-Y’, ‘Commes Des Garcons’, ‘Wither’, ‘Hublots’, ‘In Here Somewhere’, ‘Slide On Me’, ‘Sideways’, ‘Florida’, ‘Death Wish (ASR)’, ‘Rushes’, ‘Rushes To’, ‘Higgs’.