Summer has officially wound down, and even though it’s technically fall, things are about to heat up on the music charts, ’cause the promiscuous girls and boys of summer are making way for the heavy hitters – and some relative rookies.

FutureSex/LoveSound is Justin Timberlake’s second solo CD, and there are a lot of good songs to be found on it. It seems Timberlake has traded his Michael Jackson influences on Justified to instead channel Prince on this sophomore effort. “Damn, Girl” features will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas, and the song sounds like something The Purple One would have recorded in the 1980s. “Until the End of Time” follows suit in that arena. The title track, with its catchy bass line, has a sexual vibe running through it. “What Goes Around…/…Comes Around” is an obvious sequel to “Cry Me a River” in many respects, and “My Love” is an infectious little ditty. The rest of the songs fluctuate between hip-hop and dance, but all have a common thread holding them together: Justin as a player. (Out now)

Beyoncé’s B-Day dropped on her actual birthday, Sept. 5. And “dropped” is the operative word here. There are only three tracks that are catchy: The first single, “Déjà Vu,” (with Jay-Z) had to grow on me, “Suga Mama” is an example of Beyoncé done right with its old-school funk hooks, and “Greenlight” is a mostly bouncy song. “Get Me Bodied” is listenable, but “Upgrade U” (with Jay-Z again) needs something more than is brought to the table. The same goes for “Freakum Dress” (great title, mediocre song) and “Kitty Kat,” where Beyoncé sings “I’m not feeling it” on the chorus, and I had the same impression. Hopefully, her latest single, “Ring the Alarm,” can be fixed in the mix by a DJ. And speaking of mixes, it seems like a lot of these songs are half-baked concoctions that could have used a lot more time in the oven. This is one B’Day cake that just didn’t go down right. (Out now)

Will Fergie of Black Eyed Peas have Gwen Stefani’s luck with her solo effort, The Dutchess? Well, if the way her “London Bridge” (which had the second highest leap in the history of the Billboard Hot 100) is any indication, Miss Lovely Lady Lumps may have a huge hit on her hands. And seeing as she collaborated with Pea will.i.am on two tracks, the probability that she doesn’t stray too far from her group effort seems strong. (Out now)

The Scissor Sisters hit it big stateside and even bigger in the U.K. with their 2004 self-titled effort. Now, Jake Shears, Babydaddy, Ana Matronic, Del Marquis and Paddy Boom are back with Ta-Dah and a very strong first single, “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’” which they collaborated on with Elton John. John also contributed to the track, “Intermission,” and another English sir, Paul McCartney, is the subject of a song, which is appropriate as the CD is slated to be a combination of ’60s psychedelia and glam rock. (Out now)

It’s been two years since the low sales of Janet Jackson’s Damita Jo were blamed on her Nipplegate incident. So when word leaked that her boyfriend, producer Jermaine Dupri, was lending a hand to 20 Y.O., the buzz was that Miss Jackson was going to make a comeback, much like Mariah Carey did thanks to Jackson’s man Dupri. Then, the first single, “Call on Me,” a collaboration with Nelly, hit the airwaves, and the tide of hope quickly retreated from the shore. The single peaked at No. 25. Thankfully, the second single, “So Excited,” featuring Khia, is much better than “Call on Me.” And the rumored third single, “Enjoy,” has a little bit of vintage Miss Jackson sound, ala “That’s the Way Love Goes.” You’d be hard pressed to believe that 20 years (thus the title of the new CD) have passed since Control hit big, and girl looks good. (Out now)

Rounding out our fall music extravaganza is Jessica Simpson, who’s had a tough year, and this is reflected in the title of her new CD, A Public Affair. Her first single, the title track, sounds like a hybrid of Madonna’s “Holiday” and Diana Ross’ “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” and I have to admit I like its back-in-the-day feel. Another ’80s-inspired track has actual roots in that decade: “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” was first done by Dead or Alive, and while her sex-kitten vocalizations can’t hold a candle to Pete Burns’ passion on the original track, it’s not a bad attempt and would make for a great club mix. “Let Him Fly” and “I Belong to Me” chronicle more weighty issues: her split with Nick Lachey.