Thanks to a combination of new students with freshly taken-out loans burning a hole in their pockets and the prospect of not-too-distant Christmas sales, the autumn months have traditionally been the time for big album releases. And while downloading might have changed the music biz irrevocably, this season is going to be no different.

The main thing putting a glint into the eyes of retailers battling a pincer movement from iTunes and the credit crunch is the return of Oasis. The Brothers Gallagher might have been on the receiving end of Jay-Z’s mockery at this year’s Glastonbury, but their return with single The Shock Of The Lightning (September 29) from new album Dig Out Your Soul (October 6) is sure to be the biggest release of the coming months.

They’re not the only Britpoppers on the return. Richard Ashcroft’s The Verve are back after a nine year hiatus with an as-yet-untitled fourth album (August 18), while former Suede man Brett Anderson offersWilderness (September 1), a meditation on love and loss featuring just his voice, piano and strings.

Other indie big hitters reclaiming the limelight include Glaswegian art rockers Franz Ferdinand in October (date and title tba), and Kaiser Chiefs with their Mark Ronson produced offering (title and release date tba). Las Vegas’s The Killers are also back with their latest (title and release date tba) and Glasto headliners and garage rockers Kings Of Leon also try to nick the crown with Only By The Night (September 22).

But it’s not all about the guitars. The trend of man band revivals (after Take That and Boyzone lit up last year) crosses the pond and plucks out 1980s favourites New Kids On The Block. Will Back To The Block (September 8) live up to the likes of Hang Tough and Step By Step? Only time will tell. There have also been whispers that UK counterparts Bros are gearing up for a reunion. If so they’d better get a move on: The Goss twins turn 40 on September 29.

For those who like their pop with a reality TV stamp of approval, there’s also plenty on offer. After Leona Lewis’s debut album Spirit went to Number One both here and stateside, we have an abundance of other hopefuls putting out material this year. Britain’s Got Talent finalist Andrew Johnston, who reduced judges to tears with his rendition of Pie Jesu, releases his as-yet-untitled album on Simon Cowell’s Syco label (August 11). Last year’s X Factor winner Leon Jackson is expected to release his debut offering (September tbc), after it’s been put back several times, and Connie Fisher, who earned the right to star in The Sound Of Music after winning How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, concentrates on her music career with From Connie With Love (September 1 tbc). Top of the pile though is Will Young, who has carved a career that makes us forget he ever won Pop Idol back in 2002. He’s back with Let It Go (September 29) and will be touring his album in the winter, wrapping up in London at The Roundhouse (December 12).

R&B and hip-hop is also beginning to rise up again with Missy Elliott getting her freak on once more for Block Party (September 8), soul sensation John Legend, who turns 30 on December 28, releasing an as-yet-untitled album (September 29), and our very own Roots Manuvafusing trademark hip-hop and dancehall for Slime And Reason (September 1).

Proving there’s something for everyone lurking in the release schedules, several stars of yesteryear are also making a comeback. Queen return with The Cosmos Rocks (October 6), their first studio album since Freddie Mercury’s death, and with former Free frontman Paul Rodgers picking up the vacant mic stand. They’ll hit London with their latest offering, playing The O2 Arena (October 13, November 7) and Wembley Arena (November 8). Elsewhere Suggs and his nutty boys offer us their ska tones once more for Madness’ The Liberty Of Norton Folgate in September (date tba) - the same month that former Beach Boy Brian Wilson shows he’s not yet finished and sticks out That Lucky Old Sun. Just to prove it’s not only the boys having fun, Cyndi Lauper releases Bring Ya To The Brink (September 15) and she’ll showcase the album at Shepherds Bush Empire (October 14).

So whether your choice is rock or pop, old or new, iTunes or HMV, when it comes to music this autumn it’s business as usual .