It’s safe to say that 2016 was an incredibly odd year, the sheer number of musicians who left us seemed to be somewhat indicative of the general mood of the world. Although music lovers lost some beloved icons, it truly was a great year for music. David Bowie released a heart-wrenching swan song before his passing just two days later, Danny Brown pushed hip-hop to new boundaries, the Knowles sisters "slayed", and after 4 long years of waiting Frank Ocean FINALLY released his follow-up to ‘Channel Orange’. Hell, even Hamburger Helper released a mixtape. So, what do I want out 2017?
First, and foremost, I must get this off my chest before I get into albums I’m anticipating: unnecessarily bloated albums – can we please have less of them? Due to Billboard’s decision in late 2014 that literally any track from an album that gets streamed on Spotify, or its clone Apple Music, can make it onto the charts. This clearly had an influence on some of the ludicrously long projects, as some artists dropped the art of cutting and just dumped everything they had into one album. Sadly, this resulted in some incredibly bloated projects such as Schoolboy Q’s ‘Blank Face LP’ being 72 minutes, James Blake’s ‘The Colour in Anything’ clocking in at 75 minutes, and not to forget the soul-shredding, 81-minute-long ‘Views’ from Drake that just never seemed to end. I’m totally in favour long albums if there is a specific point to that length (see Kendrick Lamar’s ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’, Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’, or any Swans album from 2012 to 2016). So that would be if they are concept albums, or if the sound just on such a grand, immense scale that it requires that length. However, 60+ minutes of mainly filler is not enjoyable at all. So hopefully, fingers crossed, artists will take the initiative over label execs who obsess over Billboard chart positions and be a bit more ruthless in shaving their albums down to a more digestable, compact length.
Anyway, having exorcised that demon, here are 15 artists who I hope, expect, or am most looking forward to hearing an album from this year.
Arcade Fire
Even with a highly-acclaimed discography behind them, Arcade Fire’s last album proved rather divisive among both fans and critics. Some were disappointed in its lack of focus sonically and criticised it as a “stylistic hodgepodge” of too many genres. Although I recognise that this record had some flaws, I can’t help but absolutely adore it. James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem’s production shines through brilliantly, the lyrics are some of their best yet, and the second disc is pure emotion and passion. In light of their single released on Donald Trump’s inauguration day, ‘I Give You Power’ featuring civil rights icon Mavis Staples, maybe a more grimy, political album is coming from the indie rock pioneers.
First, and foremost, I must get this off my chest before I get into albums I’m anticipating: unnecessarily bloated albums – can we please have less of them? Due to Billboard’s decision in late 2014 that literally any track from an album that gets streamed on Spotify, or its clone Apple Music, can make it onto the charts. This clearly had an influence on some of the ludicrously long projects, as some artists dropped the art of cutting and just dumped everything they had into one album. Sadly, this resulted in some incredibly bloated projects such as Schoolboy Q’s ‘Blank Face LP’ being 72 minutes, James Blake’s ‘The Colour in Anything’ clocking in at 75 minutes, and not to forget the soul-shredding, 81-minute-long ‘Views’ from Drake that just never seemed to end. I’m totally in favour long albums if there is a specific point to that length (see Kendrick Lamar’s ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’, Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’, or any Swans album from 2012 to 2016). So that would be if they are concept albums, or if the sound just on such a grand, immense scale that it requires that length. However, 60+ minutes of mainly filler is not enjoyable at all. So hopefully, fingers crossed, artists will take the initiative over label execs who obsess over Billboard chart positions and be a bit more ruthless in shaving their albums down to a more digestable, compact length.
Anyway, having exorcised that demon, here are 15 artists who I hope, expect, or am most looking forward to hearing an album from this year.
Arcade Fire
Even with a highly-acclaimed discography behind them, Arcade Fire’s last album proved rather divisive among both fans and critics. Some were disappointed in its lack of focus sonically and criticised it as a “stylistic hodgepodge” of too many genres. Although I recognise that this record had some flaws, I can’t help but absolutely adore it. James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem’s production shines through brilliantly, the lyrics are some of their best yet, and the second disc is pure emotion and passion. In light of their single released on Donald Trump’s inauguration day, ‘I Give You Power’ featuring civil rights icon Mavis Staples, maybe a more grimy, political album is coming from the indie rock pioneers.
Burial
Burial often has long periods of silence, and being a deeply private man, who knows what he could be cooking up. His last project, released in 2013, was the ‘Rival Dealer’ EP, which was quite easily my favourite project of that year. This EP stepped away from the usual dubstep he produces (in the traditional sense, not the brostep sense). Instead, he experimented with drum ’n’ bass, synthpop and with autotune, yet still retained his trademark ambient production resulting in equally beautiful and melancholic atmospheres. He has recently released a single, which I must admit, I wasn’t too crazy about, but at least it shows a chance we might have something in store.
Burial
Burial often has long periods of silence, and being a deeply private man, who knows what he could be cooking up. His last project, released in 2013, was the ‘Rival Dealer’ EP, which was quite easily my favourite project of that year. This EP stepped away from the usual dubstep he produces (in the traditional sense, not the brostep sense). Instead, he experimented with drum ’n’ bass, synthpop and with autotune, yet still retained his trademark ambient production resulting in equally beautiful and melancholic atmospheres. He has recently released a single, which I must admit, I wasn’t too crazy about, but at least it shows a chance we might have something in store.
Courtney Barnett
This Australian indie rock musician was undoubtedly 2015's breakout star. Her debut album 'Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit' received widespread acclaim from both critics and music lovers alike, and quite rightly so. Courtney's hilariously bleak humour with her unapologetic rock 'n' roll approach to songwriting proved for a compelling listen. Hopefully her sophomore album will match, or even best, this great record.
Earl Sweatshirt
Earl’s 2015 album ‘I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside’, he reached new levels of honesty by sharing his downward spiral into depression. The gloomy, lo-fi beats and Earl’s despondent flow and personal lyricism complemented each other brilliantly. Although I do hope his next effort is little more fleshed out, as ‘I Don’t Like Shit’ was very minimal and to-the-point, being just under 30 minutes long. On a side note, goddamn he killed it on that Danny Brown track last year.
Everything Everything
Had Kendrick Lamar not released his masterpiece ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ in 2015, this would have run away with my favourite of the year. I strongly believe that Everything Everything’s last record ‘Get to Heaven’ is one of the most underrated albums of the decade. The bright and eclectic pop tunes are juxtaposed with personal and political lyrics that really epitomise this sense of helplessness that people feel in changing the world now. Their 4th LP that is scheduled for this year, is unknown as to which kind of musical avenues it will explore, but it will have to be quite phenomenal to top ‘Get to Heaven’.
Everything Everything
Had Kendrick Lamar not released his masterpiece ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ in 2015, this would have run away with my favourite of the year. I strongly believe that Everything Everything’s last record ‘Get to Heaven’ is one of the most underrated albums of the decade. The bright and eclectic pop tunes are juxtaposed with personal and political lyrics that really epitomise this sense of helplessness that people feel in changing the world now. Their 4th LP that is scheduled for this year, is unknown as to which kind of musical avenues it will explore, but it will have to be quite phenomenal to top ‘Get to Heaven’.
Father John Misty
If one phrase summed up the political and social landscape now, it would be the title Father John Misty's upcoming album: 'Pure Comedy'. However as Tillman sings in the lead single of the same name, it is more representative of a dark comedy. He humorously laments the human race's narcissistic self-worship, despite the unfairness of our biology, consumerist obsession, and, in light of last year's events, which needn't be named, the worship of demagogues. But in an equally bitter and poignant way, he rounds it off by saying "I hate to say it, but each other's all we got". The depth that this ballad goes into has me looking towards April 7th with huge excitement.
FKA twigs
FKA twigs creates some of the most abstract, explosive, and sexy contemporary R&B I have ever heard. Her stunningly angelic voice that whispers in your ear is backed with warped, distorted electronic production from the likes of Arca, Clams Casino and Boots. It brilliantly blurs lines between the avant-garde and the mainstream, the erotic and the freakish. Both ‘LP1’ and her subsequent EP ‘M3LL155X’ both demonstrated this ingenious approach to R&B, and I am thoroughly anticipating to see how she takes this sound further.
FKA twigs
FKA twigs creates some of the most abstract, explosive, and sexy contemporary R&B I have ever heard. Her stunningly angelic voice that whispers in your ear is backed with warped, distorted electronic production from the likes of Arca, Clams Casino and Boots. It brilliantly blurs lines between the avant-garde and the mainstream, the erotic and the freakish. Both ‘LP1’ and her subsequent EP ‘M3LL155X’ both demonstrated this ingenious approach to R&B, and I am thoroughly anticipating to see how she takes this sound further.
Iceage
These abrasive Danish punk rockers made an unexpected but welcomed switch to a rockabilly-punk fusion on their 2014 album ‘Plowing Through the Field of Love’. Elias Rønnenfelt’s drunkenly drawled vocals backed with sharp guitar tones, heavy bass riffs and blaring trumpets could not have sounded more perfect for each other. The question is whether they will develop this new sound, return to their roots, or go in a completely new direction altogether, if they release something in 2017.
Iceage
These abrasive Danish punk rockers made an unexpected but welcomed switch to a rockabilly-punk fusion on their 2014 album ‘Plowing Through the Field of Love’. Elias Rønnenfelt’s drunkenly drawled vocals backed with sharp guitar tones, heavy bass riffs and blaring trumpets could not have sounded more perfect for each other. The question is whether they will develop this new sound, return to their roots, or go in a completely new direction altogether, if they release something in 2017.
LCD Soundsystem
James Murphy’s surprise announcement of LCD’s reformation was somewhat controversial among fans, feeling as if they’d been cheated considering the spectacle surrounding ‘the final concert’ just 5 years prior. Also, given their legendary status in music, it could risk a tainting a perfect discography. Despite this, I do have faith that they can pull it off, as they would not have reunited had they felt as if they had nothing special. They say that progress on the album is still in the works, so hopefully it will drop in the latter half of the year.
LCD Soundsystem
James Murphy’s surprise announcement of LCD’s reformation was somewhat controversial among fans, feeling as if they’d been cheated considering the spectacle surrounding ‘the final concert’ just 5 years prior. Also, given their legendary status in music, it could risk a tainting a perfect discography. Despite this, I do have faith that they can pull it off, as they would not have reunited had they felt as if they had nothing special. They say that progress on the album is still in the works, so hopefully it will drop in the latter half of the year.
Missy Elliott
In late 2015, Missy Elliott dropped her first song in 7 years, and it did not disappoint. She returned with attitude on 'WTF (Where They From?)', which was probably the banger of the year. In 2016, however, Missy Elliott went quiet again, so who knows whether we will get another project from her. She has battled with graves disease in the past, so I hope this does not come back and affect her work on her 7th full-length. Album or no album, I'm rooting for you Missy!
Oneohtrix Point Never
Had I not known it was Oneohtrix Point Never when listening to 'Garden of Delete', I would never have guessed it was him. OPT's familiar plunderphonic ambient style (that had a hand in influencing the vaporwave phenomenon) was thrown out the window with this release, and replaced with brutal barrages of electro-industrial music. Everything about this record was obliterating, from the MIDI synths, to the bass programming, to the glitched-out sampling. Even the quieter moments were thoroughly unsettling. Judging from this change in pace, who knows where he will go next?
Perfume Genius
Perfume Genius' last LP 'Too Bright' saw him tackle some of the insecurities and discrimination he has faced as an openly gay man head on. His very progressive and experimental approach to pop music resulted in some brilliant songwriting, and he confronts these issues in a candid, forthright fashion. Hopefully his 2017 album which Mike is teasing on his Twitter account will continue the momentum that his last effort generated.
Portishead
I’ve been listening their previous album ‘Third’ quite frequently as of late. ‘Third’ moved away from their trip-hop roots and pulled from an incredibly diverse range of influences, taking from surf rock to krautrock to doom metal – all unified under a dark, dystopic sound. Its ambition paid off tremendously, and 9 years after its release, it would be intriguing to see what another Portishead album could offer us.
Portishead
I’ve been listening their previous album ‘Third’ quite frequently as of late. ‘Third’ moved away from their trip-hop roots and pulled from an incredibly diverse range of influences, taking from surf rock to krautrock to doom metal – all unified under a dark, dystopic sound. Its ambition paid off tremendously, and 9 years after its release, it would be intriguing to see what another Portishead album could offer us.
Vince Staples
Vince Staples is undoubtedly one of the most boundary-pushing rappers in the game. His last full-length project ‘Summertime 06’ was very well received. His blunt lyricism laid bare the injustices of gang violence and police brutality, and was paired with smooth but bruising bass hits. His ‘Prima Donna’ EP of last year continued this musical style, but with a more anarchic swagger in his bars. There was also some stripped-back production from James Blake on this EP, that I really hope appears on Vince’s next project.
Vince Staples
Vince Staples is undoubtedly one of the most boundary-pushing rappers in the game. His last full-length project ‘Summertime 06’ was very well received. His blunt lyricism laid bare the injustices of gang violence and police brutality, and was paired with smooth but bruising bass hits. His ‘Prima Donna’ EP of last year continued this musical style, but with a more anarchic swagger in his bars. There was also some stripped-back production from James Blake on this EP, that I really hope appears on Vince’s next project.
Xiu Xiu
Bouncing off their jaw-dropping and just downright terrifying album that covered the soundtrack of the Twin Peaks last year, their new album ‘FORGET’, scheduled for the 23rd February, is already sounding like a gem to listen out for this year. Judging by the two singles released so far, Xiu Xiu seem to be heading in a new wave influenced direction whilst sticking to their violent, claustrophobic sound, and it sounds very promising indeed.
Xiu Xiu
Bouncing off their jaw-dropping and just downright terrifying album that covered the soundtrack of the Twin Peaks last year, their new album ‘FORGET’, scheduled for the 23rd February, is already sounding like a gem to listen out for this year. Judging by the two singles released so far, Xiu Xiu seem to be heading in a new wave influenced direction whilst sticking to their violent, claustrophobic sound, and it sounds very promising indeed.
Some other albums you should check out this year
'Cruel Winter' by GOOD Music (due Feb)
‘Process’ by Sampha (due 3rd Feb)
‘Flying Microtonal Banana’ by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (due 24th Feb)
'Damage & Joy' by The Jesus and Mary Chain (due 24th March)
‘The Ride’ by Nelly Furtado (due 31st March)
Charli XCX's 3rd LP
Fleet Foxes' 3rd LP
Gorillaz' 5th LP
HAIM's 2nd LP