While many folks were catching up on all the great releases that came out in 2015, dozens of artists have been hard at work on new albums, many of which were originally expected this year. A handful, including albums by David Bowie, Sia, and Panic! at the Disco, have firm release dates. Other acts, such as Kanye West, U2, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, seem more than likely to grace their adoring fans with new records in the new year. And others more of a gamble, ranging from “chances are good” to what the Magic 8-Ball would call “Don’t Count on It.” Either way here are 25 of the most highly anticipated records musicians of the New Year.
[There are 32 albums on this list. We’ve included the first five. Go to the website to check out the rest, including one by Metallica!]
1. Kanye West – SWISH
Less than six months after Kanye West released the provocative and controversial Yeezus, he announced he was working on his next full-length album, which was reportedly being produced by Rick Rubin and Q-Tip. Since then, he has released three new songs: “Only Time” featured his rock star pal Paul McCartney; “Wolves” included guest spots by Furler and rapper Vic Mensa; and “All Day” showcased McCartney, Theophilus London, and Allan Kingdom. At the time, West said the new album would include “Wolves” and “All Day” and the record would be called So Help Me God. After that, Kanye changed the album title to SWISH, but there was no new news about the record for the rest of the 2015. But there is hope. Either West wants to go into extended Marlon Brando-esque exile, or he’s planning to drop SWISH in the first quarter of 2016. On Dec. 12, he tweeted, “I’m finishing my album and my next collection…” Shortly after, he posted, “No offense to anyone… I’m asking everyone DON’T ASK ME FOR ANYTHING TILL AFTER I’M FINISHED WITH MY ALBUM.” So if you happen to bump into Kanye at your local Costco, don’t even look at him! Treat him with the respect of a wild bear; walk slowly and calmly away in the opposite direction. Then pray to Yeezus or whatever deity you call upon for inspiration that Mr. Kardashian will make good on his latest promise and we’ll all have some rompin’ new tunes before next summer.
2. Rihanna – Anti
If we were placing bets just last month, we would have put down enough cash for a burrito at Chipotle that Rihanna’s eighth album would be one of the first big pop albums released in 2015. After all, she had already dropped four new songs for the record – “FourFiveSeconds” (featuring Kanye West and Sir Paul McCartney), “Bitch Better Have my Money,” “American Oxygen,” and “James Joint.” In addition, RiRi teased the new song “Only If for a Night” in an advertisement for Dior Secret Garden. And at the end of October she partnered with Samsung Galaxy for a reported $25 million to promote the company’s line of products in sponsorship ads that plugged her new album and tour, which will feature opening act Travis Scott and launch in February. Then, out of nowhere, songwriter Sia told a BBC Radio DJ that she recently met with Rihanna to review a batch of new songs for potential inclusion on Anti. “She listened to half of 25 songs I played her because she’s still looking for songs for her new album,” Sia said. “…She took four [songs], but I don’t know if they’ll end up [on the album].” Hmmm, maybe it’s time to start considering Anti as a prime contender for NEXT year’s list of most eagerly anticipated albums.
3. David Bowie – Blackstar
Perhaps the most exciting release in the “sure thing” category for 2016 is David Bowie’s 25th album, Blackstar, which will come out on Jan. 8, the Thin Gray Duke’s 69th birthday. The album was recorded intermittently between early 2014 and 2015 and is reportedly far more experimental than Bowie’s last album The Next Day. Co-produced by Bowie and Tony Visconti at the Magic Shop in New York City, the disc will include the 10-minute long title track, which was used for the opening music of the TV series The Last Panthers. While working on the record with Visconti, Bowie wanted to avoid writing mainstream rock songs, so they listened to avant-jazz, old-school Krautrock, and new, innovative hip-hop. “We loved the fact [that] Kendrick [Lamar] was so open-minded and he didn’t do a straight-up hip-hop record,” Visconti told Rolling Stone. He threw everything on there, and that’s exactly what we wanted to do.“
4. Zayn Malik – Title TBD
What direction is Zayn Malik heading in for 2016? The former One Direction star is plotting a solo career with an entirely self-penned album, and a recent Fader cover story (in which he blasts his former bandmates’ new album) indicates that he’ll be straying from the music 1D fans have come to expect, veering into experimental/hip-hop territory. One track will be called “Befour,” a glib reference to the final One Direction album he sang on, Four, and, perhaps a sly commentary that the hotshot quintet is now down to four members. The new Zayn album will come out on RCA and British producer Naughty Boy will likely be involved in some capacity.
5. Frank Ocean – Boys Don’t Cry
Fans of Frank Ocean have been waiting at least a year for Boys Don’t Cry, the follow-up to 2012’s channel ORANGE. Finally, it looks like there’s hope on the horizon. In an interview with PopCrush, one of the album’s producers, A-Trak, said at least one song, “White Ferrari,” will come out early next year. Hopefully, that will grease the wheels and the rest of the record will follow.
By Jon Wiederhorn, Writer
[There are 32 albums on this list. Go to the website to check out the rest, including one by Metallica!]