Adele
Iggy Azalea
Who: Australian rapper/model/twerking expert Iggy Azalea.
What: Her long-delayed debut album, The New Classic.
When: March.
What We Know: The 23-year-old described her debut LP as "fairly electronic, moombahton mixed with hip hop." That description—along with singles "Work" and "Change Your Life" featuring mentor T.I.—means we're anticipating a record filled with twerkable anthems.
Charli XCX
Lana Del Rey
Who: Pouty-mouthed songstress/H&M model Lana Del Rey.
What: Her sophomore full-length LP Ultra-Violence.
When: TBD.
What We Know: Only the title. At a screening of her short film Tropico, she told her audience of LDR fans, "I really just wanted us all to be together so I could try and visually close out my chapter before I release the new record, Ultra-Violence." Details were sparse about whether a new record would even come—Nylon inquired about her album prospects in October, to which LDR replied, "When people ask me about it, I just have to be honest; I really don't know"—but after breaking onto mainstream radio with a dance remix of "Summertime Sadness," Lana looks poised for a huge 2014.
Hilary Duff
Who: Pop sensation Hilary Duff, making a comeback
What: Her follow up to her 2007 album Dignity
When: TBD.
What We Know: Hilary has been in and out of the studio since late September. It is said Billy Mann is the main producer on the album. She has worked with producers like Billy Mann, David Quinones, Tearce Kizzo, Lindy Robbins, Ian Kirkpatrick, Luciana Caporaso, Nick Clow, Cave Kings, Mitchy Collins and Christian Medice and more. The album is said to have an indie vibe with a EDM influence.
Get excited.
Frank Ocean
Who: The most likeable member of Odd Future, Frank Ocean
What: His second full-length studio album, the follow-up to his Grammy award-winning Channel Orange.
When: Summer 2014.
What We Know: After pulling out of a mini Australian tour after tearing a vocal cord last summer, Frank Ocean has had a lot of down time to work on new material. He's also kept relatively quiet after his parking lot scuffle with Chris Brown, but he did tell Tumblr that fans can expect new music "when summer comes around again." We're waiting...
Pharrell
Who: Age-defying rapper/producer/fashion designer extraordinaire Pharrell Williams.
What: His first solo studio album since his 2006 debut, In My Mind.
When: TBD.
What We Know: Fresh off a monster year dancing to "Blurred Lines" and "Get Lucky," Pharrell's ready for his return to center stage as a singer/rapper. Revealing to Fuse News that he hasn't given up rapping, the 40-year-old N.E.R.D frontman signed a deal with Columbia Records to drop his sophomore studio LP sometime in 2014. His Despicable Me 2 soundtrack single, "Happy," will be on the tracklist, but that's about all we know so far.
Rihanna
Robyn
Kanye West
Who: Yeezus himself, Kanye West.
What: His as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2013's smash Yeezus.
When: TBD.
What We Know: Fans would probably have been satisfied if Kanye took the next five years off considering the success and critical appeal of his 2013 release, Yeezus. But Yeezy is right back at it, working again with Yeezus producer Rick Rubin and longtime collaborator Q-Tip. He told Rolling Stone that fans can expect another short album: "I think my next album is going to be eight songs. It's just reducing down the amount of information that you need."
Taylor Swift
Who: Recently-turned 24-year-old pop-country superstar/serial monogamist Taylor Swift.
What: Her fifth studio LP, title still TBD aka follow-up to her Grammy-nominated 2012 album, Red.
When: TBD.
What We Know: Swift's album will feature tracks similar to One Chance soundtrack gem "Sweeter Than Fiction," the Jack Antonoff collab that earned the singer a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song. Aussie singer-songwriter Sia, who's known for her hit songwriting and featured vocals on hip hop and EDM singles, might be pulled in for an anticipated collaboration. Swift told Entertainment Weekly that the album will still feel distinctly Taylor but with, hopefully, a more matured perspective on relationships. Look out for new material as early as this month!
One Direction
Who: Liam, Louis, Harry, Niall and Zayn—aka British heartthrobs One Direction.
What: The boys' fourth album in four years, as per their five-year contract with SyCo/Columbia Records.
When: Late 2014.
What We Know: Not much yet, but if the musical transformation they made on 2013's Midnight Memories (not to mention the physical transformation—when did these guys get so many tattoos?) is any indication, 1D are bound to delve deeper into the cheeky rock 'n roll territory they've been dipping their toes into.
Demi Lovato
Shakira
Kylie Minogue
Who: Aussie pop goddess Kylie Minogue.
What: Her 12th album to date and the follow-up to 2010's Aphrodite, which spawned four No. 1s on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart.
When: Spring 2014.
What We Know: Even though we said "WTF?" when the singer signed to Jay Z's Roc Nation label, buzz single "Skirt" was a thrilling combination of gritty house beats and euphoric pop melodies. With Pharrell as a confirmed producer and Jay Z as a confirmed collaborator, we're looking forward to Kylie's foray into pop-meets-hip-hop land. Just this week, the star was photographed shooting a music video for what is presumed to be the LP's lead single, rumored to be titled "Into the Blue" after multiple tweets from Minogue using the hashtag #IntoTheBlue.
Nicki Minaj
Who: The first lady of hip-hop, Nicki Minaj.
What: The follow-up to 2012's platinum Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.
When: TBD.
What We Know: We don’t know too much so far, but Nicki recently told Power 105.1 (via NME) that she has begun recording new material. "It's very different from anything I've done, which I'm surprised about. I'm not feeling like I did this. I feel like this is next level." She also told MTV that's she’s working with brand-new collaborators, though she wouldn't mention any names. But she did say "2014 definitely!"
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