Hey there, it’s 2016 and this very day signifies the first major release of the year. Let’s go!
Besides the Thin White Duke kicking things off, we can expect the first Nine Inch Nails album in three years as well as another three, yes THREE, releases from rapper extraordinaire Lupe Fiasco. In a just world, Lupe would be far more successful than Kanye. If we really want to get analytical, and political, consider him Bernie to the presidential race’s Hilary.
Moving on, you can expect some highly-anticipated new sounds from the likes of PJ Harvey, Frank Ocean, and TOOL. Both LCD Soundsystem and Grandaddy are officially done with retirement. If you’re thinking “hey, where’s that album from that super popular mainstream artist people are supposed to care about,” you may be in the wrong place. You won’t find the likes of Iggy Azalea mentioned beyond this sentence. This is my subjective space, though I will try to contain my witless banter.
If I’ve left anything out that you think the community needs to be aware of, please do share in the comments section. Happy listening. I’ve also created a playlist, featuring lead off singles from these releases (where available), from Spotify for you to enjoy.
January
January 8th
David Bowie – Blackstar
Bowie once again reinvents himself and gives us his 25th album on his 69th birthday.
January 22nd
Santigold – 99¢
Don’t be deceived by the title. This album will cost you more than a penny short of a dollar, but is worth the actual ticket price. Santigold’s long-overdue third release reflects on our age of consumerism and how it dominates our daily lives right down to our identities.
The Besnard Lakes – A Coliseum Complex Museum
Cait Brennan – Debutante
Eleanor Friedberger – New View
New View is the third solo release for the better half of brother-and-sister duo The Fiery Furnaces.
Savages – Adore Life
Ty Segall – Emotional Mugger
Shearwater – Jet Plane and Oxbow
January 29th
Bloc Party – Hymns
The British band’s fifth studio album is also their first with new members Louise Bartle, on drums, and Justin Harris (keyboards, bass).
The London Suede – Night Thoughts
Sia – This is Acting
February
February 5th
DIIV – Is the Is Are
Field Music – Commontime
Elton John – Wonderful Crazy Night
Teaming up with long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin, Elton John returns with his 33rd studio album. Drummer Nigel Olsson and guitarist Davey Johnstone rejoin the band’s line up for the first time in over a decade.
Junior Boys – Big Black Coat
Lucinda Williams – The Ghosts of Highway 20
Her latest effort includes covers of Bruce Springsteen’s “Factory” and Woody Guthrie’s “House of Earth.”
February 12th
Lissie – My Wild West
School of Seven Bells – SVIIB
This is the fourth and final studio album for the gifted indie rock band that experienced a tumultuous run including the tragic death of Benjamin Curtis.
Mavis Staples – Livin’ on a High Note
February 19th
Animal Collective – Painting With
Painting With is the 11th release from power trio Dave Portner (Avey Tare), Noah Lennox (Panda Bear), and Brian Weitz (Geologist).
Ra Ra Riot – Need Your Light
Wolfmother – Victorious
February 26th
Bonnie Raitt – Dig in Deep
She’ll follow up her 20th studio album with an extensive world tour.
March
March 4th
Loretta Lynn – Full Circle
Loretta Lynn returns with her first full-length album since 2004’s Van Lear Rose, a brilliant collaboration with Jack White. This time around, John Carter Cash produces a collection of tracks that mark a return to her roots.
Miike Snow – iii
Nada Surf – You Know Who You Are
ONO – Yes, I’m a Witch Too
This is the proper sequel to 2007’s Yes, I’m a Witch – a project dreamed up by Yoko Ono. Artists that are invited, this time around, to remix songs from her back catalogue include Death Cab For Cutie, Peter Bjorn and John, Sparks, tUnE-yArDs, Moby, Miike Snow, Cibo Matto, and Portugal. The Man.
Violent Femmes – We Can Do Anything
This is their ninth studio album and first release in over 15 years. Exciting, indeed.
March 25th
RJD2 – Dame Fortune
The Thermals – We Disappear
White Denim – Stiff
April
April 1st
Yeasayer – Amen & Goodbye
The video for lead single “I Am Chemistry” is a direct extension of the album art where the sculptures, designed by David Altmejd, come to life.
April 8th
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals – Call It What It Is
April 15th
Graham Nash – The Path Tonight
TBA
3OH!3 – Title TBA
Band of Horses – Title TBA
Beck – Title TBA
Chromatics – Dear Tommy
Crystal Castles – Title TBA
Death Grips – Bottomless Pit
Drake – Views From the 6
Flume – Skin
Frank Ocean – Title TBA
Gorillaz – Title TBA
Grandaddy – Title TBA
Gwen Stefani – Title TBA
GZA – Dark Matter
Haim – Title TBA
James Blake – Radio Silence
Kanye West – SWISH
Kings of Leon – Title TBA
Lupe Fiasco – Drogas
Lupe Fiasco – The Cool 2
Lupe Fiasco – Title TBA
M.I.A. – Matahdatah
M83 – Title TBA
Major Lazer – Music Is The Weapon
Metallica – Title TBA
Metronomy – Title TBA
Modest Mouse – Title TBA
My Morning Jacket – Title TBA
Nine Inch Nails – Title TBA
No Doubt – Title TBA
PJ Harvey – Title TBA
Radiohead – Title TBA
Rihanna – Anti
Sky Ferreira – Masochism
Spiritualized – Title TBA
T.I. – The Dime Trap
TOOL – Title TBA
The Dandy Warhols – Title TBA
The Jesus and Mary Chain – Title TBA
The Killers – Title TBA
The Offspring – Title TBA
TLC – Title TBA
