Pop

Highlights of fall pop CD releases, with capsules by Casey Dolan and Richard Cromelin.

Tuesday

Justin Timberlake

“FutureSex/LoveSounds” (Jive)

Bidding to establish himself as the new Prince, Timberlake unabashedly explores sexuality and sensuality in maximum funk mode.

The Mars Volta

“Amputechture” (Universal Motown)

The new face of what used to be labeled “prog-rock.”

Bob Seger

“Face the Promise” (Capitol)

Rock’s blue-collar poet returns with his first album in 11 years.

Los Lobos

“The Town and the City” (Mammoth/Hollywood)

The Los Angeles institution finds profound sadness and irrepressible resolve as it surveys life on society’s margins.

**

Sept. 19

Chingy

“Hoodstar” (Capitol)

The bestselling debut rap artist of 2003 returns with a set ranging from crunk to party to a touch of soul.

DJ Shadow

“The Outsider” (Island)

After a decade-plus of varied psychedelic mixes and sound collages, the producer-musician, above, focuses on Bay Area hip-hop.

Elton John

“The Captain & the Kid” (Rocket/Universal)

John and lyricist Bernie Taupin concoct a sequel to 1975’s “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.”

Fergie

“The Duchess” (Will.i.am/A&M;/Interscope)

Solo outing from the woman who helped transform the Black Eyed Peas from cult rap group into massive hitmakers.

**

Sept. 26

Scissor Sisters

“Ta-dah” (Universal/Motown)

The New York outfit came a long way on cheery demeanor and Bee Gees and Elton rewrites. Now it’s time to show where they can take it.

Ludacris

“Release Therapy” (Disturbing Tha Peace)

The Atlanta rapper aims to show a different, serious side (“Release”), along with the expected cut-loose tunes (“Therapy”).

Paul Westerberg

“Open Season: Featuring the Songs of Paul Westerberg” (Lost Highway)

The wayward genius finds one of his strongest grooves in years as the creator of songs for the upcoming animated film.

Jerry Lee Lewis

“Last Man Standing” (Shangri-La Entertainment)

Only a figure as mythic as Lewis could hold his own with a roster that includes Jimmy Page, Bruce Springsteen, Keith Richards and Neil Young, to name just a few.

Alan Jackson

“Like Red on a Rose” (Arista)

The country stalwart tries something a little different, putting himself in the hands of producer Alison Krauss.

Janet Jackson

“20 Years Old” (Virgin)

After the disappointing showing of 2004’s “Damita Jo,” this could be the last gasp of the long-running Jackson dynasty.

**

Oct. 3

Beck

“The Information” (Geffen)

The smartest chameleon alive is happily paired once again with producer Nigel Godrich, and the new album will enjoy a rich production of haunting sounds and hip-hop funkiness.

Evanescence

“The Open Door” (Wind-Up)

The Little Rock band’s debut, “The Fallen,” was huge, but how will the 2003 departure of founding member Ben Moody affect the follow-up?

The Killers

“Sam’s Town” (Island)

The new single “When You Were Young” has picked up where “Mr. Brightside,” “Somebody Told Me,” et al., left off for the Las Vegas rock band, above.

**

Oct. 10

Lloyd Banks

“The Rotten Apple” (G-Unit/Interscope)

The G-Unit mainstay has Eminem and 50 Cent, among others, on hand as he follows the big debut hit “The Hunger for More.”

**

Oct. 17

Lady Sovereign

“Public Warning” (Def Jam)

One of the most tongue-twisting of rappers, she is one of the foundations of grime, the U.K.’s distinctive brand of hip-hop.

Vince Gill

“These Days” (MCA Nashville)

A four-CD set, each disc highlighting country, rock ‘n’ roll, bluegrass or jazz-pop.

Diddy

“Press Play” (Bad Boy/Warner)

The multitasking, multiple-monikered impresario slips into R&B; mode on his first album in five years.

**

Oct. 24

The Who

“Endless Wire” (Universal Republic)

The band’s first new studio recording in 23 years, including a mini rock opera.

My Chemical Romance

“The Black Parade” (Reprise)

The Jersey boys are back, poised to expand the audience they attracted with the gothy emo of 2004’s “Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge.”

John Legend

“Once Again” (Columbia)

Kanye West gave him an early boost, but Legend quickly fulfilled his promise and became the leading man of American R&B.;

**

November TBA

Snoop Dogg

“Blue Carpet Treatment” (Geffen)

Snoop returns to his original gangsta sound of the early ‘90s, with production from Dr. Dre, Timbaland and Pharrell.

**

Nov. 7

The Game

“The Doctor’s Advocate” (Geffen)

The Compton rapper keeps a multitude of feuds on the fire as he follows up his hot debut, “The Documentary.”

Lucinda Williams

“The Knowing” (Lost Highway)

The long-awaited return of one of America’s premier country-informed singer-songwriters.

**

Nov. 14

Taylor Hicks

Title TBA (19 Recordings/Arista)

The annual release of the “American Idol” winner’s debut album this time features a classic rocker.

**

Nov. 21

Tom Waits

“Orphans, Brawlers and Bastards” (Anti-)

Three discs, 30 new songs, 24 unreleased and/or rare tracks and a 94-page booklet adds up to Christmas a month early for devotees of the revered musician, above.

**

Dec. 12

Akon

“Konvicted” (Universal Motown)

Eminem guests on the rapper’s new album, a varied set that includes a tribute to his homeland, Senegal.