As we say a fond farewell to a groundbreaking 2013, we’ve looked ahead to some of our most eagerly-anticipated album releases of the next twelve months.
We’ve got high hopes for the below; sure some are rumoured, but still, we’re hopeful that by the end of 2014, we’ll be singing the praises of the following!
Dr Dre – Detox
Could 2014 FINALLY be the year we’ll get our hands on the much-anticipated, massively-delated Detox? Having been in production since Dr Dre finished his acclaimed sophomore 2001, bar the odd drip-feed of a couple of tracks (I Need A Doctor, Kush), all we know is that Dre’s supposed collaborations stretch as far and wide as the likes of Eminem, Scott Storch, The Game, 50 Cent, Jay Z and Warren G. Here’s hoping.
Kelis – Food
Announced earlier in December, Kelis’s return to the music scene is highly anticipated, particularly based on Jerk Ribs, the first cut from her new LP. Set to be released around April-time, new label Ninja Tune are promising the album, Food as “transcendent, Spector-esque lift, warm bottom ends and vast depth”. Fingers crossed we’ll start seeing some work comparable to her early Neptunes-esque material.
Mutya Keisha Siobhan – TBA
Another massively delayed album (which bizarrely, much like Detox above, we’ve been waiting on since 2001). Originally set for release earlier this year, Mutya Keisha Siobhan’s follow-up to debut One Touch has unfortunately been beset by issues (poor charting of Flatline, management shake-ups etc), however we’re pinning high-hopes on this, as are fans and critics. Let’s just hope it’s promoted the strongest way in order to gain as much traction as possible (we’d hate for the Origibabes to be dropped again!).
Ed Sheeran – TBA
Marked for a release around mid-February (though subject to change we’re sure), little is known about Ed Sheeran’s hotly-anticipated follow-up to 2011’s +, bar that one of the songs will be called Photograph. Sheeran’s had a busy twelve months, from touring with Taylor Swift across the US to bringing fellow Brit Passenger into the limelight, it’s astounding to understand how the artist has found time to write any new material; though as always, we’re certain that the new material will surpass expectations. Speaking earlier this year, the singer-songwriter said the new material will focus more on relationship troubles than previous efforts. Roll on February.
Foxes – Glorious
Set for release in March 2014, Foxes’ debut studio album Glorious follows her previous 2012 EP work, Warrior. Set to feature the brilliant Youth, along with promotional track Holding Onto Heaven, we’ve got high hopes for one of the spear-headers of the ‘new wave of British youth music’.
Lily Allen – TBA
Lily Allen surprised us all when she unveiled lead single Hard Out Here in November; originally slated to be premiered in 2014, as a promotional joint for her upcoming third studio outing. Allen’s certainly lived through enough to give her some writing material since 2009’s It’s Not Me, It’s You (what with a miscarriage, two further pregnancies and a marriage), whilst we’re sure Lily will continue to strive for female empowerment and womens’ rights as per her previous efforts in the new release, which we’re hoping for a Q1 buy-in date.
Sia – TBA
Set for release [hopefully] around March-time, Sia’s forthcoming new full-length studio outing, her first since 2010’s We Are Born, follows a standout year for the Australian singer-songwriter, whose 2013 credits include pretty much every major artist out there (Britney Spears, Eminem, Beyonce, Jessie J, Angel Haze). With Grammy Award-winning producer Greg Kurstin apparently involved, Sia’s sixth studio album is off to a promising start.
Adele – TBA
We’re not going to lie, the pressure must be on for Adele and [record label] XL to not only put the artist’s new album out as quickly as possible, but also to dream of the kind of success its predecessor 21 has enjoyed. Unsurprisingly, all those involved have remained fairly tight-lipped on the new project, however we understand hitmaker Ryan Tedder is on some scale included in the writing credits, whilst an interview in 2011 confirmed that Adele had planned to “do a cover of the INXS hit Never Tear Us Apart, which is probably my fave song of all time”. Expect Adele’s third album to drop by the end of 2014.
Sam Smith – In The Lonely Hour
From appearing out of nowhere at the start of 2013, Sam Smith’s forthcoming debut studio album In The Lonely Hour appears amongst a midst of well-deserved hype. From the stunning Lay Me Down, to the album’s first official single Money On My Mind (set for release in January), to Smith’s stellar collaborations with Disclosure, no-one can doubt the talent that the acclaimed singer holds; probably one of the key reasons why he has already won the coveted BRIT’s Critics Choice 2014 Award. In The Lonely Hour is set for a May 2014 release.
Kwabs – TBA
Set to be released at some point next year, Kwabs’ debut offering (out on Atlantic Records) will no doubt open up a new era for UK soul. With his previous haunting electrosoul groove Last Stand winning over a wealth of new fans (and critics alike), we can’t wait to hear what’s in store for an artist who we believe will be the ‘James Blake of 2014’.
Kano – TBA
Whilst Kano hasn’t been fully away from our ears during 2013 (the brilliant Benga-featuring Forefather, in addition to a wealth of free downloads during the latter part of the year), we’re still awaiting that formidable follow-up to 2010’s brilliant Method To The Maadness, so we’re tipping 2014 to be the year we can finally lay our hands on a new studio recording. Nothing’s confirmed as yet; we’re just hopeful at this stage.
Nicki Minaj – TBA
It’s commonly known that Miss Minaj is working on her third studio LP, the follow-up to 2012’s Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, however the femcee surprised us all by unveiling a brand new reworking of PTAG’s viral hit Boss Ass Bitch online yesterday. The star has been promising that the third outing will see her return to her rap roots after toying in the EDM/house movement through her previous releases, and with raps as strong as the bars she throws on Boss Ass Bitch, we’re starting to get excited for what’s in store.
Missy Elliott – Block Party
Missy’s follow-up to 2005’s The Cookbook has been one of the most-delayed pieces of new material since Dr Dre’s Detox (above), and whilst no firm release-date has been confirmed, much like Dre, we’re hoping Block Party, Elliott’s seventh studio recording, will see the light of day in 2014. Two potential singles from the album were released way back in 2012 – 9th Inning and Triple Threat, whilst strong, failed to make much of a dent in terms of airplay, however now Missy’s back working with Timbaland, we’re hoping to finally hear the new material over the next twelve months.
Katy B – Little Red
It’s taken a while but Katy B has finally confirmed we’re getting that all-important follow-up to her brilliant 2010 debut On A Mission. Her sophomore recording, Little Red, is set for an early February release, and by the sounds of previous cuts (5AM, Crying For No Reason, I Like You), we should be expecting something fairly special!
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and one more bubbling under…..
Beyonce – Self Titled Pt 2?
Earlier this week, Beyonce confirmed that she had initially recorded 80 different tracks for her surprise fifth studio self-titled album, however was forced to cut these down to ‘just’ fifteen for the final release. Now, whilst nothing has been confirmed regarding a follow-up, we’d be surprised if only a handful of these tracks saw the light of day (particularly for the producers who obviously worked hard on the various pieces of material). Speculative at this stage of course, but could Queen Bey be in the process of ‘doing a Timberlake’ and releasing a surprise follow-up? Watch this space!
