2012 Album Preview: 15 Albums We’re Looking Forward To
There’s a lot to look forward to in the new year: four different seasons, 12 months of videos bringing our favorite songs to life, a wealth of fresh sounds. But, while we get an onslaught of clips every day, there are certain CDs we’re really looking forward as well. From electro-pop geniuses to hip-hop mainstays, and even a few superstars, here are fifteen records we can’t wait to hear:
Lana Del Rey, Born To Die — January 31
Easily one of the most anticipated albums to drop this winter since “Video Games” spread across the internet faster than news of Beyonce’s baby, Del Rey’s debut is just that — hype in a jewel case. With an explosive new video for “Born To Die” and a buzzy momentum that simply won’t quit, the controversial, husky-voiced singer has half the indie world up in arms and the other half grasping for tickets to upcoming US tour dates. We’re unsure of what exactly to expect from the puffy-lipped artist formerly known as Lizzy Grant, but if it’s anything like the sexed-up rebel persona she’s adopted along with her pseudonym, it’ll be the only thing the internet talks about this month.
Sleigh Bells, Reign of Terror — February 21
For a band that’s been touted as the “next big thing” so many times it’s teetering on the edge of mega fame, the duo‘s follow up to 2010′s Treats is highly anticipated for more than just new tracks. Since they first became Pitchfork darlings back in 2009, they’ve collaborated with MIA, played nearly every festival, and soundtracked that Windows Phone commercial you’ve heard a million times. But, they haven’t completely crossed into the mainstream. New singles “Born To Lose” and “Comeback Kid” have their trademark mix of haunting melodies and jackhammer beats, proving that if any of their high energy sounds are going to propel them forward, it’ll be these.
The Smashing Pumpkins, Oceania — early 2012
Given that the band publicly announced in 2008 they would no longer be making full-length records, it’s intriguing that their upcoming release Oceania, is being referred to as an “album within an album.” As part of a 44-track concept album Teargarden by Kaleidyscope that’s slated to be released online one track at a time, Oceania is also apparently the band’s best in 17 years. Don’t take our word for it — Billy Corgan himself said it was their strongest release since 1995′s iconic Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness. Whether they’re The Smashing Pumpkins by name, by lineup or by music is still up in the air, but if Corgan’s putting it up on a pedestal already, this one’s likely to blow us all away.
Bruce Springsteen, Wrecking Ball — March 6
The fierce pounding of Max Weinberg’s drums on the recently released “We Take Care of Our Own” proves that the E Street Band is ready to jump back in the game. It’s been three years since Working On A Dream, and Springsteen is now operating without his right hand man, Clarence Clemons. But, the group’s sound is still fully intact on this anthem of brotherhood. Other titles on the disc include “Wrecking Ball” and “Land Of Hope and Dreams,” songs the Boss has roared through during recent live shows. Manager Jon Landau has said the album has a “social overtones,” and the Hollywood Reporter says that loops and hip-hop textures line some of the new music as well.
The Shins, Port Of Morrow — March 20
In the five years since The Shins put out their beloved Wincing The Night Away, James Mercer has been more than busy. With time spent as Danger Mouse’s partner in Broken Bells and appearing as an extra on Portlandia, it’s exciting to see how his his extra-curricular experiences will inform his main band. Considering that he covered “all songwriting duties, lead vocals, guitar, lap steel, percussion and glockenspiel” on Port Of Morrow, those new-found influences are bound to run deep.
The Hunger Games Soundtrack — March 20
Taylor Swift, Arcade Fire, The Decemberists. Need we say more? This compilation honoring the upcoming fight-do-the-death film was produced by T Bone Burnett, and is already on its way to already becoming a success. “Safe And Sound,” a collaboration between Swift and up-and-coming folksters The Civil Wars, shot straight to #1 on iTunes within 24 hours of its release. If you don’t think those names make the soundtrack seem star-studded enough, there’s tons more on the way, in addition to one unexpected cameo on the disc: the movie’s star, Jennifer Lawrence, who lent her voice to some of the film’s music.
Adam Lambert, Trespassing — March 20th
The glam’s been gone for too long, and there’s only one person who can bring it back. As one of the most memorable American Idol performers — he single handedly made the 2009 American Music Awards newsworthy, after all — Lambert’s new single “Better Than I Know Myself” makes us miss that musical theatre-nourished voice more than ever before. We can’t wait to see what the over-the-top star has up his glittery sleeve.
Elle Varner, Perfectly Imperfect — March 27th
We’ve had the soulful singer’s video for “Only Wanna Give It To You” on repeat pretty much since we’ve first heard it, and not just because the newcomer’s got a cameo by J. Cole on her debut release. The songstress has a stunning voice that we’re itching to hear more of, and we’re not the only ones. The New York University graduate was voted “Most Likely To Get Signed” and “Most Likely To Win A Grammy” by her Clive Davis Program of Recorded Music colleagues. Looks like she’s got one down, and one to go.
Miike Snow, Happy To You — March 27th
The Swedish producer-songwriter supergroup burst onto the scene three years ago with the infectious dance jam “Animal,” and followed it up with a full-length so killer it’s still being spun. That’s why we’ve got ants in our pants for this upcoming release, which appears to be shrouded in mystery. The band told their Facebook friends they wouldn’t be dropping track titles or much more solid information about the disc, which leaves us with…not much. There’s an album title, a sharp new song called “Devil’s Work,” and a mysterious new video to boot, but with that being all we’ve got to go on ’til the mid-March release, it looks like the excitement for what hour-long dance party the disc could hold isn’t subsiding any time soon.
Dev, The Night The Sun Came Up — March 27
From massive success with “In The Dark” and a stint as VEVO’s Lift artist, to giving birth to her first child, 2011 was a whirlwind for Dev. So we’re more than happy to give her some time while we wait and see what she’s got planned for her first full-length, The Night The Sun Came Up. We’ve seen her shake her rump, watched her get frisky with pairs of anonymous hands, and even heard her new collaboration with Enrique Iglesias, so whatever party-starters are lined up are likely to blow us away.
R. Kelly, Write Me Back — March
The rapper scored Grammy noms and critical acclaim for his last album, Love Letter. This March’s follow-up, Write Me Back should be just as persuasive. It’s unclear if its first single “When A Man Lies” means the disc has a cheating theme, but one thing’s certain: anything the superstar touches pretty much turns to gold. And, with 32 new chapters of “Trapped In The Closet” in the works and an R. Kelly cruise on the way this fall, we’re going to see a lot of him in 2012.
Nicki Minaj Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded — April 3
After the killer visual trip of Nicki’s “Stupid Hoe,” the fever for her follow-up to Pink Friday is building. It’s going to be hard to top the hit-producing hive of action that was her debut disc, but Minaj has become hip-hop royalty in a very short time, and her florid blend of raunchy humor and visual mischief always gets the party started. The album, named after Minaj’s alter ego Roman Zolanski, will be full of fresh material, and with a lead-off track like this, there’s bound to be some magic in store.
Chris Brown, Fortune — April
Stepping out with the R&B anthem “Strip” last winter, it seemed like Chris Brown’s forthcoming album was set to be a collection of slow-jam ballads. But, judging from “Turn Up The Music,” the second track off Fortune that dropped earlier this week, this record might be nothing short of an hour-long dance party. From the fist-pumping ball of energy that is Breezy’s latest single as well as the confirmed rumors he’ll be dabbling in dubstep, there’s enough to look forward to besides factoring in the alleged cameos. Nas is set to make an appearance, and Asher Roth, Wiz Khalifa, Kid Sister, David Guetta and will.i.am are all said to be guesting on the disc. Quite the lineup!
A$AP Rocky, Untitled — Spring
The Harlem-based rapper had been honing his craft for years, but shot straight to the spotlight at the end of last summer with “Peso.” The response was so huge that it was immediately added to New York’s iconic Hot97 radio station. After signing a $3 million dollar record deal and dropping an acclaimed mixtape LiveLoveA$AP last October, you’d think the budding superstar would want to take a break before his proper release, but that’s far from the case. Just this month, he announced A$VPMUZIK, a collaboration album with quick-handed producer aarabMUZIK that’s currently being worked on. Ends up there might be more than just his debut to look forward to this year.
Madonna, MDNA — Spring
Madge is a pro at keeping a secret, and not much has been divulged about the latest album since 2008’s Hard Candy. But, what we do know is that she’s back with producer William Orbit, the sound architect for her last great disc, Ray of Light. Whether that means we’ll be getting an update of the swooping poptronica they built together is anyone’s guess. The singer does like to make stylistic leaps every few years, right? The lead track, “Give Me All Your Love,” is said to find her tapping M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj as guests. There’s speculation that we’ll be seeing the triumvirate — or at least Nicki — in action at Madonna’s Feb 5 Super Bowl half-time performance, but for that, we’ll also have to wait and see.
R. Kelly, Write Me Back — March
The rapper scored Grammy noms and critical acclaim for his last album, Love Letter. This March’s follow-up, Write Me Back should be just as persuasive. It’s unclear if its first single “When A Man Lies” means the disc has a cheating theme, but one thing’s certain: anything the superstar touches pretty much turns to gold. And, with 32 new chapters of “Trapped In The Closet” in the works and an R. Kelly cruise on the way this fall, we’re going to see a lot of him in 2012.
Now, THIS is alist. Not like that other flop one claiming that Adam's was one of the least anticipated. If that's true then why are there dozens of articles from well known websites citing Trespassing as one of the most anticipated?
I think that these represent what people are looking forward. Obviously there is a few more but as far as albums that have been absolutely confirmed, this list is really diverse and fair.
Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded — April 3
After the killer visual trip of Nicki’s “Stupid Hoe,” the fever for her follow-up to Pink Friday is building. It’s going to be hard to top the hit-producing hive of action that was her debut disc, but Minaj has become hip-hop royalty in a very short time, and her florid blend of raunchy humor and visual mischief always gets the party started. The album, named after Minaj’s alter ego Roman Zolanski, will be full of fresh material, and with a lead-off track like this, there’s bound to be some magic in store.
I'm seriously wondering why Carrie is not making any lists. She probably has one of the MOST anticipated albums of the year yet everyone's acting like nobody is looking forward to it.
After the killer visual trip of Nicki’s “Stupid Hoe,” the fever for her follow-up to Pink Friday is building. It’s going to be hard to top the hit-producing hive of action that was her debut disc, but Minaj has become hip-hop royalty in a very short time, and her florid blend of raunchy humor and visual mischief always gets the party started. The album, named after Minaj’s alter ego Roman Zolanski, will be full of fresh material, and with a lead-off track like this, there’s bound to be some magic in store
