by Alexandra Pollard, Cai Trefor, James Moore | Photos by Artwork
61 exciting albums to look forward to in 2016
From David Bowie to Rolling Stones, The 1975 + Savages
The 1975 - I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It: Well, the album title is so ludicrously wrong we've nearly run out of room to talk about it, but we're sure it's going to be really gr-
Aurora - All My Demons Greeting Me As A Friend: The Norwegian singer was left off far too many Sound of 2016 lists this year. Thankfully, given the strength of tracks such as 'Runaway' and 'In Boxes', her debut album is probably going to be included on a whole hosts of lists a year from now.
Gorillaz - Untitled: Damon Albarn recently told the Guardian that it's "early days for the next album but that "so far, its really fast, and it's got quite a lot of energy." A couple of images of Russell and Noodle posted a few months ago suggest some Motown and late 70's influences, with the former rocking a trilby and the latter playing a guitar with a John Travolta sticker plastered on it. Keep your ears peeled.
Last Shadow Puppets - Untitled: Praise the Lord! Miles Kane and Alex Turner are finally set to release their long awaited follow-up to 2008's The Age Of The Understatement in spring. They released a teaser trailer at the start of this month, and it was everything we could have hoped for.
Hinds - Leave Me Alone: Such a wonderfully stroppy album title for such an infectiously cheerful band. Hinds' lo-fi guitar rock first came to our intention with the ludicrously catchy 'Trippy Gum', which they've followed with several EPs and a Greatest Hits album (despite the fact they're yet to release their debut). Leave Me Alone is due for release in January.
Baby Strange - untitled: The Glasgow-based three piece support Slaves on Friday (18 December) and they've had a great 2015 thats seen them grow form a Radio X new band to a Radio 1 staple. They're definitely at a level now where they're ready to make a big impact and have plans to release a loud, direct debut.
Sia - This Is Acting: It might come as a surprise to late-comers to the elusive Australian musician that she's actually released six albums in the past 20 years. It was with last year's 1000 Forms Of Fear though, alongside a handful of enormously successful collaborations, that Sia finally burst into the mainstream. Judging by the strength of her recent singles, next year's This Is Acting will continue Sia's phenomenal success.
Blossoms - Untitled: After a couple of really strong EPs, we suspect that since signing to Virgin EMI the Stockport five-piece will have the time and budget this year to create a brilliant debut album. Definitely one of the strongest acts to have been nominated in the BBC Sound of 2016 shortlist.
Santigold - 99c: Santigold was one of our surprise highlights of this summer's Latitude Festival. We shouldn't have been surprised of course - she consistently produces incredibly infectious electronic pop much - but we'd forgotten quite how brilliant her music is. 99c is going to remind the whole world of the same thing.
Chairlift - Moth: Stop reading this, go and listen to 'Cha-Ching' and 'Romeo', and then you'll understand why Moth should be one of the most highly-anticipated LPs of the year. Spread the word.
David Bowie - Blackstar: Technically, Bowie's 25th album isn't called Blackstar, it's called ?.. Never change, Bowie, never change.The title track and 'Lazarus# have already been revealed, in all their experimental jazz glory. It's amazing to see an artist of his age still striving forwards, forever in his prime.
Blaenavon - Untitled: The Hampshire-based three piece have been gradually making a firmer stamp on the industry throughout this year, having put out a brilliant single in Hell Is My Head which is the best weve heard from them yet. The band told Gigwise theyre recording their debut LP with Arctic Monkeys and Catfish and The Bottlemen producer Jim Abbiss - this is likely to be one of the breakthrough albums of the year.
The Killers - untitled: After saying that 2012's Battle Born "wasn't good enough," Brandon Flowers told Jo Whiley that in a "perfect world", the band would be releasing new material in late 2016. Later, he told Loaded that the band are in the studio, and have been working on a potential new track, 'Look Alive'. Look alive, indeed. It's been four years.
Daughter - Not To Disappear: 'Doing The Right Thing', a sprawling, melancholic glance at the painful effects of dementia, added an even greater depth and heft to Daughter's sound, and was one of Gigwise's Songs of 2015. It bodes extremely well for their forthcoming second album.
Savages - Adore Life: 'T.I.W.Y.G' was in the top 10 of Gigwise's Songs of 2015 - and it only trumped the brilliant, aggressive, stomping 'The Answer' by a hair's breadth. Full disclosure - we've already listened to Adore Life (perks of the job) and it's incredible.
Childhood - Untitled: South London's Childhood wrote an amazing first album that was filled with hits like 'Solemn Skies' and 'As I Am' Their follow up is due to be released next year and after some dedicated time away from playing live let's see if this focus pays off with more knock out stuff.
Rihanna - Anti: It feels like decades since 'Bitch Better Have My Money', and yet Anti is still yet to materialise. We've pretty much lost hope that it'll arrive in the next few weeks, but we we'll optimistically predict that Rihanna is going to get her act together at some point in 2016. We believe in you Ri-Ri.
Desert Mountain Tribe - Either That Or The Moon: London-based psych-rockers channel the freewheeling attitude of Brian Jonestown Massacre and BRMC. Theyve already supported Toy, The Wytches, and Damo Suzuki, anchoring themselves around bands with similar sounds is only going to help them find the audience to grow and become one of the most well known rock bands around. They have the sound and the debut will be released 4 March on Hamburg based indie label Membran and on Metropolis Records (US)
Frank Ocean - untitled: Oh Frank. Frank, Frank, Frank. Why must you tease us so? The follow-up to 2012's Channel Orange has been supposedly finished for a year and a half now. It was supposed to be released in July, but - with no explanation given - it never materialised. We can only hope 2016 will be the year.
Radiohead - untitled: When they're not suing their old record label, Radiohead have been working on their new album. They've been working on it for over a year, in fact. In October Jonny Greenwood revealed, "We have finished recording of the new album but we keep reevaluating the work we've done." Stop that right now, it's probably great.
Drones Club - Untitled: Having just signed to PMR - home of Disclosure and Julio Bashmore - this live dance act are one of the most exciting around at the moment. They all wear white boiler suits and create a frenetic atmosphere. So far they're still very small, with their most important gig being Trans Musicales - a festival renowned for spotting bands that have what it takes. They plan to release a series of EPs this year. There's no news of an album but hopefully it'll happen this year and if not early 2017 would be good.
The National - untitled: Although they already released A Lot Of Sorrow this year, The National have confirmed that they're already working on new music. It won't be out for a while though - Matt Berninger said last month, "Over the summer of 2016, we're going to do a lot of shows with the new stuff and then record the next National album."
Fat White Family - Songs For Our Mothers: The Fat White Family travelled to Sean Lennon's studio in the states to record this second album which is likely to bring the band to new heights as it's seriously good. Songs For Our Mothers will be out on 22 January.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - untitled: Back in July, the Chilis' bassist, Flea, revealed that the band had been working on their untitled new album with legendary producer, Dangermouse. More recently, Flea told Alternative Nation "the album has been finished musically for a while now", but they're waiting on Anthony [Kiedis] to traack the vocals.
The xx - untitled: OK, this one was in our gallery of "Albums to look forward to in 2015" last Christmas. It's still not here. We swear they went to Texas to record it approximately 17 years ago. Now Jamie xx's solo album is out the way (brilliant though it was) they might finally buckle down and get this out.
Her - Untitled: This Rennes-based band are the most exciting modern soul act since Jungle and they look set to make their mark on the UK in 2016 with a show planned at Londons Koko in March. They've already released a couple of EPs, so the next obvious step would be to release an album. No official details have been released yet.
Bloc Party - Hymns: After a mini hiatus, and a line-up change, Bloc Party returned with 'The Love Within' earlier this year, simultaneously combining their old school indie vibes with more zany sonics that are heading in different directions. They're releasing Hymns in January, so there's not long to wait now.
Louis Berry - Untitled: Liverpools Louis Berry has shown promise with early singles 25 reasons and Rebel as he captures the indie spirit of classic indie rock n roll like The Stones and The Beatles. He recently wrote on Facebook that hes heading over to America to record his album with the greatest. The results could be quite something.
London Grammar - untitled: The trio's last studio album, If You Wait, was released over two years ago, so we have to assume that they're locked away in some undisclosed location, throwing ideas at the wall to see what sticks. We need some more sweet and soothing harmonies in our life, so fingers crossed, eh.
Marlon Williams - Hello Miss Lonesome: This country album by Marlon Williams is sure to pull on a lot of people's heartstrings of a lot of people when its released. Weve had a three track teaser sent through and its beautifully arranged. This year has seen Marlon tour the UK as a solo artist, but with such a big band arrangement we should see the Marlon Williams' band in full on tour next year - which is very exciting.
Bat For Lashes - untitled: Natasha Khan is one of the most innovative and exciting musicians around - and yet none of her albums thus far have quite fulfilled her potential. This year, she concentrated on Sexwitch, her side-project with Toy, and covered 1970s psychedelic and folk songs (as you do). Next year though, her fourth album is coming. She told Pitchfork in September that it most almost completely written, and that it's "thematically linked" to a feature film she's writing.
The Cure - untitled: Speaking with NME earlier this year, Robert Smith confirmed that "There's new stuff that we're doing with this line-up and stuff we finished with the old line up." The original 4:13 Dreamsessions concept album will contain at least ten new songs that have never been heard before, while 4:14 Scream will be a 14-track album including some of the tracks from 4:26 Dreams, "but these 4:14 Scream versions will all have words and vocals."
Meilyr Jones - 2013: The former Race Horses frontman has written what will probably be one of the albums of 2016. It's a stunning musical journey that varies from piano ensemble, indie guitar pop, and full cinematic orchestra. It tells the story of his life in 2013 when he was living in Rome. It's released 26 February via Moshi Moshi.
Rolling Stones - untitled: Speaking to The Sunday Times Magazine, Keith Richards said, "These guys aren't getting any younger, but at the same time, they're getting better. I'd love to shove them in the studio in April, hot off the road." Fingers crossed they'll be done by the end of next year.
The Moonlandingz - Untitled: This is the side project of Lias Saoudi of the Fat White Family and The Eccentric Research Council. Lias is recording the Moonlanigz LP before Christmas and it's got Randy Jones from The Village People on a track and Yoko Ono on another.
Green Day - untitled: Green Speaking with Rolling Stone, Billie Joe Armstrong said, "I've got, like, four or five songs right now. I'm gonna take it really slow. I'm just gonna make sure every moment is inspired and that we have something that's really special to us." After releasing three studio albums within three months with the fairly gimmicky Uno!, Dos!, Tre! trilogy, hopefully this offering will be a more focused and polished affair.
Mystery Jets - Curve Of The Earth: The band recently re-emerged with a new trailer for their album, which is due out in January. Band member Will Rees said of the new record, "For us we've been through quite a lot in the last couple of years and there have been certain realisations that come with playing in a band that has been together for over two decades. I think these songs have real feeling about them."
Queens Of The Stone Age - untitled: After dropping their storming record Like Clockwork back in 2013, Bassist Mikey 'Shoe'' Shuman explained that a new album was definitely in the works, but that "we decided to take a break because we had been going so hard for so long." A record should be surfacing next year, though, with whatever they produce being as hard hitting as ever.
Neon Waltz - Untitled: The band who hail from Caithness in there Scottish Highlands are one of the best indie acts on the planet right now. They were signed by Atlantic Records this year and so far theyve got some demo recordings out but a proper album would be the obvious next step for them.
Rammstein - untitled: The German industrial metal legends confirmed they were back in the studio earlier this year, posting this picture with the caption, "Rammstein: Back on!" via their Facebook. Itll be their first new material in six years, and we expect nothing less than absolutely terrifying, metal induced chaos.
Sundara Karma - Untitled: Sundara Karma released two great EPs this year, which seems like the build up to an album. They embark on a headline tour early next year and look set to turn their little-known indie belters into anthems the nation will sing.
Arcade Fire - untitled: Back in July, the band told NME that they'd be hitting the studio following their headline show at London's Hyde Park. Win Butler said, "We're in a position now where we can have an idea and the people around us to make it happen. It starts when you get off the road. If I ever feel bored now, it's the best feeling in the world, because I know that's when the next idea is going to come into my brain and it will start again."
Telegram - Operator: Having avoided signing with a label and opting to take the recording process into their own hands and release the album independently through their own label Gramgram, Telegram have shown great spirit and individualism. They crowd funded Operator through PledgeMusic and raised the budget to record with Rory Attwell on his boat in London. Operator will be released through on 5 February.
Blink 182 - untitled: It's been a rocky year for Blink-182 - and not in the good sense of the word. Tom DeLonge left the band - far from amicably, and was replaced by Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba. Together with Skiba, the band are working towards their seventh album. In fact, according to Travis Barker, they're "knocking out a song a day."
The Coral - Distance Inbetween: Following a five-year hiatus The Coral announced a new album 'Distance Inbetween' for 4 March and a full UK tour to boot. As one of the most celebrated British bands of the 21st century it's hard not to feel like we're counting down the days already.
Azealia Banks - Business And Pleasure: When the Harlem rapper isn't being homophobic on airplanes or engaging in endless Twitter debates and feuds, she occasionally steps foot in a studio to cook up some tracks. Her second studio LP, Business And Pleasure, is set to arrive in the first quarter of the new year, and is certain to contain a whirlwind of controversy and polarising sonic choices.If it's anything like as good as Broke With Expensive Taste, we'll be happy.
Ty Segall - Emotional Mugger: One of the best US fuzzy garage rock exports in years - Ty Segall's albums always do well so we're incredibly excited to see him tour his album Emotional Mugger which is due for release 22 January via Drag City.
Frightened Rabbit - untitled: With 2013's Pedestrian Verse, the Scottish band solidified themselves as an alternative rock band not to be reckoned with. With his razor sharp lyricism, frontman Scott Hutchison released his solo Owl John project, but the band are now working together again. Speaking with Gigwise earlier this year, Scott said, "I imagine there will be at least be a song out by the end of this year and maybe be out on the road with a few little shows to whet the whistle, but the full album won't be until next year."
Your Friend - Gumption: Taryn Miller, aka Your Friend, is one of the most promising newcomers on this list. Domino Records will release her album on 29 January. It has beautiful sonic texture. First impressions lend comparisons to Beach House but Miller isn't second best by any means. 2016 could be a big year for Your Friend.
Kanye West - Swish: Come on Yeezy. After re-titling his album from So Help Me God (powerful) to SWISH (that terrible Will Smith track? Oh that was 'Switch') and then premiering the unrelenting and infectious 'All Day' at the Brit awards, it seemed that the album was arriving soon. He's now described the album as a "two year painting" and explained that he's "not worried" to take another 12 months. Let's hope he's exaggerating and that it arrives before the end of 2016.
Anohni - Hopelessness: Antony Hegarty, of Antony & The Johnsons' fame, announced her first album under the moniker Anohni earlier this year, describing it as "an electronic record with some sharp teeth." Judging from the first single, '4 Degrees', this couldn't be more accurate.
Metallica - untitled: For any Metallica fan, it's been a long and dark six years, 2008's Death Magnetic serving as the metal legends' last full length offering. Lars Ulrich spoke with Rolling Stone about the forthcoming, long awaited record. "We are fucking in it. We've got lots of songs, and we're honing them and tweaking them. It's pretty close." Hurry up Lars, or there'll be metal related riots sparking up across the western hemisphere.
Manic Street Preachers - unconfirmed: They're set to play new songs on their forthcoming Everything Must Go tour, so hey - it could happen.
School Of Seven Bells - SVIIB: This will be the band's fourth and final album. After Benjamin Curtis tragically died in 2013, Alejandra Deheza decided to continue their project as "a love letter from start to finish." She explained, movingly, "It's the story of us starting from that first day we met in 2004, and that's the story of School of Seven Bells."
Garbage - untitled: After spending 2015 celebrating the 20th anniversary of their classic debut, they're back in the studio with a huge new album coming next year. Speaking to Gigwise about what to expect, frontwoman Shirley Manson said: "It's sort of a romantic record in a way. I don't feel like any of our records yet are 'romantic' - I don't really think in terms of romance, ever, but this is probably the closest I'll get to being romantic."
Sigur Ros - untitled: The follow-up to 2013's incredible and dark Kveikur is coming, with the band taking new material on the road for huge summer festival shows. "In the spirit of adventure, all we can say right now is its going to be different," say the band. "In addition to playing all the songs you know and love, there will be new unreleased songs, a new show and more Trust us on this one.
Night Beats - Who Sold My Generation: Heavenly Records will release the band's third studio album and if it's anything as good as what they've put out already we'll be pleased. They're one of the world's finest purveys of psych-rock in the world and immaculately portray the wildest sounds from the '60s with their own stamp and sonic innovations. Who Sold My Generation will be released 15 January.
LCD Soundsystem - Untitled: It would be brilliant to see James Murphy reform LCD Soundsystem. Consequence of Sound reported that they would reunite in 2016. DFA Records deny it but CoS claim they have a reliable source and stand by their original report.
Nico Yaryan - What A Tease: Former Hanni El Khatib drummer Nico Yaryan has crafted a sublime, emotional debut album of classic songwriting that's earned him comparisons to Tobias Jesso Jr. The album is about him trying to hold down a long distance relationship with his love in Amsterdam and his home in the US. What A Tease will be released 26 February through Partisan Records.
Vant - Untitled: Vant recently wrote on Facebook that they're in a "creative-post-tour-cave finishing off our debut album!" They've really done remarkably well this year without an album to support, so next year will be huge for Vant when they release it.
Tags: David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, The 1975 Photo: ARTWORK
One of the few things making these incredibly short winter days bearable is the prospect of Christmas. It's why they shifted Jesus' birthday - to ease everyone's seasonal affective disorder. But what about after Christmas? What is there to look forward to then? Well, these 61 albums for a start.
As you'll see in our forthcoming albums of the year list, 2015 has been a pretty incredible year for album releases - but, if even half of these promised albums actually materialise, 2016 is going to give it a run for its money.
Here's 61 exciting albums to look forward to next year.