These past couple of years, 2016 and 2017 particularly, have been some tough ones, but both yielded us some amazing music. Music can be both cathartic and a way to express the current environment and speak your mind. Either way, it certainly drives the creation of great music.
It’s still a little early to tell, but it looks like 2018 might be shaping up to follow this trend. Below is a list of albums to look forward to this year that might just make wading through all the other bullshit worth it.
Andrew W.K. | You’re Not Alone | March 2nd
The rock icon sure has picked a hell of a time to return. After nearly a decade of radio silence, W.K. has released two tracks in advance of a new project due out in a little more than a month. His brand of infectious positivity is exactly what we need right now. Oh, and he can still write a killer hook.
Between the Buried and Me | Automata I | March 9th
Progressive death metal mainstays BTBAM are back with their first album on their new label, Sumerian Records. Automata I is particularly exciting because it’s the first part of a double album. The Parallax, the last double effort from the band, was sublime and the lead single from their newest project has us all on the hype train.
BROCKHAMPTON | Team Effort | TBA
While it almost seems like we should be fair and let the boy band sit back and take in the immense 2017 they just had; our avarice knows no bounds. Almost immediately after releasing three albums back to back to back, the rap group took to social media to tease their next project. When will it drop? Who knows, but our money is on sooner than you would think possible.
Childish Gambino | TBA
‘Bino fans were in a tizzy recently when the news broke that the modern day renaissance man had inked a new record deal. Signing with RCA records, the artist leaves behind Glassnote, which released his first three projects. With new music due out later this year, the only question is: will he rap again?
David Byrne | American Utopia | March 9th
Former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne has finally readied his first solo LP in 14 years. He has described the new project as a close examination of the world in which we currently find ourselves occupying. After nearly a decade and a half to ponder, we can’t wait to hear what he has to say.
Jay Rock | TBA
When most people hear of the TDE record label, their minds are immediately drawn to Kung Fu Kenny. Jay Rock is the oft slept on rapper with the label who has also been with Top Dawg since the beginning. His vicious new single is a lyrical onslaught aided by none other than Kendrick. “King’s Dead” is the first taste of his follow up to 2015’s excellent 90059 which is due out sometime in the near future.
Lil Wayne | Carter V | ?!?
The fifth installment in Wayne’s Carter series has already become the stuff of legends, but not exactly for the reasons that the rapper would like. The album has supposedly been completed since late 2014 and held up in label drama since then. Wayne has said the record is his best, and most importantly last, solo effort and it would be a damn shame if another year passed without the world hearing it.
Madeon | TBA
You can only tour on one album for so long right? Well, that’s what we’re hoping is the case with the often reserved French DJ who has only released one new song since his 2015 debut album. Madeon recently teased his “next era” on social media, making us all the more hopeful that we’ll have some more insanely catchy tunes to bump soon.
Senses Fail | If There is Light, It Will Find You | February 16th
With the release of the first two singles from their newest album, it looks like the New Jersey post-hardcore legends are about to pivot their sound again. Fans who weren’t too pleased with the hardcore turn they took on the past two records will certainly rejoice upon hearing the nostalgic, punk-y feel of the two new tracks. Vocalist Buddy Nielsen has even gone as far as to compare If There is Light to their iconic Let it Enfold You released all the way back in 2004.
Superchunk | What a Time to Be Alive | February 16th
The world needs a new album from the North Carolina indie-rock pioneers. We just do. Their last project, I Hate Music, was wonderfully dark and we’re hoping the new stuff is in the same vein. While the album might share a title with Drake and Future’s jovial collab, Superchunk frontman assures as it will not match the tone. He says the record is about “dealing with anxiety and worse in the face of incipient authoritarianism.”
What albums are y’all looking forward to this year? Let us know @jukely on Twitter!
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