Before trekking around the swing states of the US as part of the Vote For Change tour in October, Conor Oberst is reportedly holed up in Presto Studio, Nebraska finishing the second of two albums currently planned to be released on the same day in January next year.

According to MTV News, the album currently being worked on is “more digital and poppy”, whereas the already completed record, featuring country star Emmylou Harris doing backing vocals on several tracks, is more classic Bright Eyes territory. However, if you can’t wait for that long to indulge in a binge of new Saddle Creek records, The Faint, Beep Beep and Son, Ambulance should all manage to keep you entertained.

Beep Beep release their debut album, ‘Business Casual’ on 23rd August (DiS witnessed them in action t'other day - think Q And Not U-style dance punk. Nice) followed closely by the release of The Faint’s new album, ‘Wet From Birth’ and single, ‘I Disappear’, released on 13th September and 4th October respectively. Finally, Son, Ambulance follow up their debut offering with new album 'Key' released on 25th October.

The Faint are also returning to the UK to do several dates to coincide with the album’s release:

SEPTEMBER
• 14/9 – Oxford Zodiac
• 15/9 – Brighton Concorde II
• 29/9 – London Islington Academy