Neon Gold Records/Atlantic Records
2014 was a pretty great year for music: Taylor Swift, Pharrell, and Coldplay all had new albums; Beyoncé had a re-release; Iggy Azalea debuted (and broke records). As the year ends, and the ‘Best Of’ lists begin to surface, we can’t help but wonder what 2015 will bring. If these albums are any indication, it’s going to be an amazing year for music fans.
Mark Ronson – Uptown Special (1/27)
We haven’t been able to stop listening/dancing to “Uptown Funk,” and if that single is any indication of what the rest of the album will be like, we’re sure it’ll be one of our favorites of the year. Ronson’s also released two other groovy singles from the upcoming album, “Feel Right” and “Daffodils,” and they don’t disappoint at all.
Imagine Dragons – Smoke + Mirrors (2/17)
When Imagine Dragons performed “I Bet My Life” at the American Music Awards, we were positively blown away. They always manage to crush their live performances, but this song might just be our favorite of theirs. They’ve also released two other singles from the album, “Gold” and “Shots,” that make it clear the Las Vegas rockers won’t be suffering from a sophomore slump.
Marina and the Diamonds – Froot (3/4)
We dare you to watch the video above of Marina’s acoustic version of Froot‘s second single, “Happy,” without becoming completely entranced. It’s beautiful. It’s everything we’ve come to expect and love about the Welsh singer, and we just can’t wait to hear the whole album. If you’re anything like us, and you can’t get enough of her perfection, we suggest watching the video for title track, “Froot,” on repeat (you won’t regret it).
Madonna – Rebel Heart (3/10)
After a series of leaks that deeply upset the Queen, she gave an early Christmas present to her fans: six tracks available on iTunes and Spotify, and the ability to pre-order her album now. The songs, “Living for Love,” “Unapologetic Bitch,” “Bitch I’m Madonna” “Illuminati,” “Devil Pray,” and “Ghosttown,” all vary in quality, but we’re still excited to hear what she has waiting for us. We have a feeling she’ll want the rest of the album to be twice as good as intended just to spite the leakers. This is Madonna, after all.
Kendrick Lamar – TBA (TBA)
Kendrick Lamar’s second album, good kid, m.A.A.d. city, blew us away with songs like “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe,” “M.A.A.D. City,” and “Swimming Pools (Drank).” If the newly released “i” is a sign of things to come, we really can’t wait to hear the rest of his album.
Rihanna – R8? (TBA)
Rihanna has released an album every year since her debut (with the exception of 2008). Her eighth studio album (and her first not on Def Jam records) will give fans long awaited new music for the first time since 2012’s Unapologetic. Though we haven’t heard any samplings from the new record, it’s hard to imagine Rihanna would give us anything less than perfection. Get ready for RiRi radio takeover in 2015.
Giorgio Moroder – 74 Is the New 24 (TBA)
The 74 year old pioneer of disco and EDM, the man who produced Donna Summer’s smash hits (“Last Dance,” “I Feel Love,” and “Hot Stuff,” just to name a few), and the man with a song named after him (that he assisted with) on a little album called Random Access Memories is releasing his first studio album in 17 years. The first single, also titled “74 Is the New 24,” makes us truly believe that Moroder is right: maybe 74 really is the new 24.
Gwen Stefani – TBA (TBA)
We have been HUGE fans of Gwen Stefani’s since the early days of No Doubt, and are firm believers that she can do no wrong. Her first single off the new album, “Baby Don’t Lie,” was quickly added into rotation on our Spotify playlists. The second one, “Spark the Fire,” has yet to grow on us (and the title always makes us think we’ll hear the No Doubt song, “Start the Fire“), but it’s a collaboration with Pharrell that gives us hope for more like their “Hollaback Girl” days.
Adele – 25? (TBA)
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It hasn’t been confirmed that the album will be titled 25, but based on a cryptic Twitter post and her history of album titles, it’s a safe bet. I, like every other breathing human, have gone far too long without new Adele music. The album was slated for a 2014 release, but was unfortunately pushed back. We can hopefully expect it early on in 2015, but until then, we’ll have to settle for more cry-singing along to “Someone Like You.” Will that ever get old?
Drake – Views from the 6 (TBA)
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Drake’s fourth album’s title references his hometown of Toronto. Other than that, not much is known about what’s coming from the “Take Care” rapper, but that hasn’t stopped the excitement from building.
Grimes – TBA (TBA)
After releasing “Go,” a song she allegedly penned for Rihanna (who inevitably rejected it), Grimes has said her new album won’t sound anything like it. Whatever her album sounds like, we’re sure to listen. She hasn’t let us down yet. Until then, we’ll just keep watching the video for “Genesis.”
Kanye West – TBA (TBA)
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Rumor has it that Kanye’s follow up to Yeezus has been pushed back several times because of his personal life (what with his relatively new fatherhood and all), but now it’s ready to go. There may not be much truth to these rumors, but one thing is certain: Kanye’s album will undoubtedly be #WorldsMostTalkedAboutAlbum.
