The end is nigh – well, the end of 2014, anyway.
It’s that time of the year again. No, I’m not talking about finishing the dreaded leftover turkey.
Although 2015 will undoubtedly produce a turkey or two, it will also provide us with some quality music. From Madonna to Mark Ronson, Kendrick to Kanye, here you will find information on upcoming albums worth salivating over. Just don’t drool in public, please.
1. Panda Bear – Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper (January, 2015)
Unlike your typical panda bear, this one is not easily recognized by large, distinctive black patches around its eyes, over the ears, and across its round body. Noah Benjamin Lennox, the experimental musician and founding member of the band Animal Collective, will release his fifth studio album on January 13th. A man capable of translating experimental sounds into mainstream, affable music, Lennox has managed to craft some truly beautiful tracks. Carrying a mix of heavy reverb and psychedelic synths, expect ‘Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper’ to bring some sunshine into the gloomiest month of the year.
2. Mark Ronson – Uptown Special (January, 2015)
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He’s been busy working on the follow-up to ‘Record Collection,’ his 2010 breakthrough, for a few years now, but Mark Ronson is back. If ‘Uptown Special’ is anything like his debut album, it will feature the kind of genre-swerving sounds for which the British producer and songwriter is renowned. Co-writing and co-producing with Jeff Bhasker, a man who has worked with Drake and Alicia Keys, Ronson recently dropped the first single. ‘Uptown Funk,’ featuring Bruno Mars, is a tasty blend of horn-fuelled, sexed-up euphoria and Prince-inspired pop. With guest vocals from Stevie Wonder and Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, ‘Uptown Special’ is sure to be as suave as Ronson himself.
3. Kendrick Lamar – TBA
Two years on from ‘good kid, m.A.A.d city,’ his breakout debut record, Kendrick Lamar released ‘i,’ the first single from an upcoming sophomore album (release date and name both TBA). Displaying just why he is one of the most complete rap artists in the game, if Kendrick’s latest single is anything to go by, this album could very well be one of 2015’s most impressive.
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4. Madonna – Rebel Heart (March, 2015)
Hours after demos were leaked from her upcoming album, Madonna called it “artistic rape” and a “form of terrorism.” It’s not quite up there with the atrocities carried out by ISIS, however; the pop icon decided to retaliate by streaming six tracks.
After a few years without any real musical triumphs, ‘Rebel Heart’ could very well see Madge reclaim the spotlight, especially with guest appearances from Kanye West, Diplo, and Nicki Minaj.
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5. Kanye West – TBA
What is the meaning of life? Why did anybody think Fast and Furious 7 was a good idea? When is Kanye West’s new album going to drop? These are all questions that I can’t honestly answer. The saviour of rap, a self-professed god, a bit of a douche, say what you will, the man has talent.
As ‘Yeezus,’ his sixth studio album, received very mixed reviews, many fans want an LP that can match the brilliance of 2010’s ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.’
Last July, in an interview with GQ, Yeezy said that ‘All Day’ will be the first single released from the much anticipated album.
6. Faith No More – TBA (April, 2015)
Spearheaded by the blissfully titled single ‘Motherfu**er,’this will be Faith No More’s first LP in eighteen years. ‘Album of the Year,’ the band’s 1997 release, was a joyous affair, however, trying to predict the artistic direction of their latest effort is as tricky as it is pointless. For five years, ever since the group reunited and started touring again, fans and critics alike have been crying out for new material. Apart from releasing “Motherfu**er,” a bizarre, neo-psychedelic offering that sounds like a musical baby created by Hüsker Dü and Sonic Youth, the mercurial band has remained ever so mercurial.
7. Giorgio Moroder – 74 Is the New 24 (TBA)
Like the resurrection of Jesus, Giorgio Moroder revived his career and credibility by working with Daft Punk on ‘Random Access Memories,’ the French duo’s 2013 record. Due to the success of the project, after three decades, Moroder set to work on a solo album. With guest appearances from Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Charli XCX, and Sia, we can expect infectious beats, snazzy keyboards, funky guitars, and some cheesy influences from the ’80s. Don’t know about you, but I am so damn excited.
8. Modest Mouse – Strangers to Ourselves (March, 2015)
It’s been eight years since Modest Mouse dropped ‘We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank,’ but 2015 sees the return of Isaac Brock and his indomitable indie rock outfit. ‘Strangers to Ourselves,’ which will be released on Tuesday, March 3, 2015, was preceded by ‘Lampshades on Fire,’ the first single from the group’s new LP.
9. Muse – TBA (Summer, 2015)
Muse fans, get ready, Matt, Dominic and Chris are set to return with a new record. With a summer 2015 release date very possible, will album No.7 be as epic as many of us expect it to be?
A follow-up to ‘The 2nd Law,’ their 2013 offering, Matt Bellamy, via Twitter, told fans that the new album will focus on “deep ecology, the empathy gap and world war three.” This tweet may have been slightly tongue-in-cheek, nevertheless, expect plenty of symphonics and orchestral influences.
10. Ludacris – Ludaversal (March, 2015)
When Ludacris, real name Chris Bridges, announced that ‘Ludaversal’ would be released on his birthday, September 11, rap fans got excited. But that promise came in March of 2012, and the record ended up getting pushed back for a 2013 release date. Another year passed, and still nothing. Fear not, Luda fans, ‘Ludaversal,’ the Atlanta native’s upcoming eighth studio album, WILL be released on March 31, 2015. The album, recorded spasmodically between 2010 and 2014, was crafted by numerous first-class producers. With acts like Mike Will Made It and David Guetta lending a creative hand, expect plenty of catchy, club-ready tunes.
There you have it. Happy New Year.
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