75 massive albums set for release in 2015
Adele, Madonna, Florence, Coldplay... It's going to be a big year
Teenage Time Killer: One of next year's most exciting prospects, it was recently announced that Teenage Time Killer, a supergroup featuring Dave Grohl, Slipknot's Corey Taylor as well as members of Queens of the Stone Age, Black Flag and others will release their debut album, set for release in January. Needless to say, this will be seriously special.
Laura Marling: Returning once again to reclaim the world of folk pop, Laura Marling will release her fifth album in seven years in March 2015. Short Movie is said to have been influenced by Marling changing her routines, and rooting herself in one place after years of moving around. If the strength of the title track is anything to go by, this album is going to be the perfect development for Marling.
Fall Out Boy: After making a storming return in 2014, Fall Out Boy will finally release their sixth record American Beauty/American Psycho on 20 January, set to be a return to their roots with a fresh edge, the band themselves described the record by saying: We thought about where this all began but razing it and starting again,
Lana Del Rey: In a recent Q&A with sister Chuck Grant, Lana explained she was already planning a follow up to Ultraviolence, saying: "Im working on a new record." No more details have been given yet, but we're hoping her third album could see a release in the next 12 months.
Marilyn Manson: Manson will return to release his ninth studio album The Pale Emperor in January. If lead single 'Deep Six' is anything to go by, this record once again promises to be a frantic, heavy affair.
Garbage: Originally meant to release their sixth album in 2014, it would appear Garbage are instead holding off until 2015 for their next release. Whilst no specific details have been revealed just yet, track names including 'Let Yourself Go', 'Moth To Light' and 'Epic' were all deciphered from a whiteboard in the background of one of their studio shots.
Sky Ferreira: In the wake of her critically lauded debut Night Time, My Time, rumours of Sky Ferreira's second album have been circulating for quite some time. It would appear the 'Everything Is Embarassing' singer is in the studio right now working on her follow up record after she recently posted some pictures on instagram, so fingers crossed we have a new album to hear in time for festival season.
Kanye West: From secret album listening parties to songs about "pissing on graves", the buzz around a potential Yeezus follow up from Mr West have been fast building over the last few months. With no details announces as of yet but the album reportedly finished, we wouldn't be surprised if Yeezy just pulled a Beyonce and dropped the album without warning.
Muse: The band have been hard at work for a few months now, recording in Vancouver with legendary AC/DC producer Robert 'Mutt' Lange on a 'heavier' and 'rockier' LP that deals with 'World War 3 and deep ecology'. They've told fans to expect to hear it in summer 2015 - just in time for festival season.
The Libertines: Following their victorious lap of shows around Europe culminating in glorious gigs at Ally Pally, Carl Barat has revealed that he and Pete have retreated to Thailand to finish work on the collection of songs they've penned so far. After recently signing a record deal with EMI, it was announced the boys would be releasing a new album in the near future.
Madonna: This one has been a long time coming, and with collaborations with MNEK, Disclosure, Chance The Rapper, Natalia Kills, Blood Diamonds and Diplo all believed to be involved, expect Madge to return bigger and bolder than ever when she returns with Rebel Heart on 10 March.
Adele: Global sensation Adele has also been rumoured a return for a long time now, but label bosses at XL have revealed that it will finally be dropping in 2015.
Bjork: After stunning the world with the audio-visual educational spectacular that was the Biophillia album, app and tour, we're more than a little excited to see what Iceland's finest has up her sleeve next. She's working with Kanye and FKA Twigs collaborator Arca, so expect something artfully insane.
Frank Turner: After dropping B-sides and rarities album The Third Three Years, the peoples' punk poet Turner told Gigwise earlier this year to expect a more 'upbeat' new album in February 2015 - adding that it will be a message to 'judgemental c***s'.
Florence and the Machine: With her massive second album Ceremonials released way back in 2011, we'd put money on the third record she's been busy beavering away on to drop in 2015 - with some huge festival slots on the horizon for the summer as well, we're expecting this album soon.
The XX: Having been recording the album in Texas, Iceland and London, LP No.3 from the Mercury-winning trio is so close we can almost taste it. Speaking about the impact of these locations, the band said: "Although all very different, each of these places have been inspirational environments to create music in, and each will have an influence on the new album."
Foals: While there's been no mention of a time frame for when we can expect to her the fourth album from Foals, the band have spent much of the past year working on it in Oxford. Come February, it will be two years since Holy Fire was release - and we're all hungry for more. When asked where the band were planning to take their sound from here, Yannis replied: "We don't really think about it. I find it's kind of counterproductive to do that, but I'm pretty sure it will be different in some way. When asked by Gigwise about the sound of the new material, frontman Yannis Philippakis said: "I think that's sort of the lifeblood of the band - for each track to vary a little and hold its own place on the album, but we'll see."
Chvrches: The Bones Of What You Believe came back in September 2013 - before being named our album of the year. If they can maintain the momentum and brilliant quality of new tracks 'Get Away' and 'Dead Air', then we dare say they'll smash it out of the park once again in 2015. With the trio returning to the studio recently as well, this is looking increasingly likely.
Radiohead: They've been back in the studio since September, and Godonlyknows where they'll take their sound from here - but expect the unexpected, it could come at any time. Fingers crossed it's out in time for Glastonbury...
Hurts: The band have been working on album No.3 for over a year now, with frontman Theo Hutchcraft telling Gigwise last year: "For us, it's always really exciting because we never really know where we're going. I guess we make pop music, but there are lots of different forms that it can take and we never really know where it's going to until we start making music." Asked when we can expect to hear it, he added: "It's definitely not going to be a long a wait this time, we want to keep working. The gap between albums last time was two and a half years, which was because we got swept up in it and had no time, but now we're constantly making music and new things so the next record."
Frightened Rabbit: Pedestrian Verse was another towering achievement and one of the best albums of 2013 from the Scottish alt-folk heroes - and in between frontman Scott Hutchison releasing his blinding solo album as Owl John, they've been in the studio working on a new record. Speaking to Gigwise back in August, Hutchison said: "It's happening now. Now, we've got all of these little nuggets from everyone and to try and combine them is something that's really exciting."
Say Lou Lou: We've been dying for the magnificent Say Lou Lou to release their album for a couple of years now - always teasing us with immaculate pop. And finally, the Autralian-Swedish twins will be dropping Lucid Dreaming on 2 February. Bring it.
Years & Years: Another band to whom greatness has been a long-time coming, hype has finally full caught up with this awesome trio. Expect them to top a whole bunch of end of year polls before soundtracking your 2015.
U2: Yes, really, more U2. The band have told fans to expect the follow-up to Songs Of Innocence, Songs Of Experience next year.
Charli XCX: I LOVE IT! Charli XCX's inescapable youthful, in your face exuberance that is - not to mention her ear for an absolute banger. Expect Sucker to be absolutely packed with them when it comes out on 26 January.
Fleetwood Mac: This one may be a little optimistic, but with a tour on the way and rumours of huge festivals, new material could well be on the cards. Speaking to Esquire about new album progress, drummer Mick Fleetwood said: "We have a whole lot of material from Lindsey [Buckingham] and me and John [McVie] from the last two and a half years, and also Christine, when she came to LA a little while ago. We have a whole bunch of tracks. We're hoping... We don't really know how it's going to be placed. My hope is, of course, that it becomes a full-fledged Fleetwood Mac offering."
Idlewild: With Everything Ever Written being released on 9 February 2015, prepare to fall in love with Idlewild all over again - it's pretty huge.
Blink 182: After reminding the world of why teenage filth never ages with huge sets headlining Reading and Leeds this summer, Mark, Tom and Travis have told fans that they've started work on their next LP and to expect a summer 2015 release.
Sleater Kinney: The iconic riot-grrrrl group's return has been heralded by many over the last month, and the addition of a new single on their career-spanning boxset points towards an album being released in January. The vinyl of the new single was marked 1/20/15, could that be a release date? Here's hoping.
Courtney Barnett: Our favourite Antipodean grunge-folk poet has already largely owned 2014 with her Sea Of Split Peas Double EP and tearing up countless festivals, but it's her debut album proper due in March that is really going to show the world what she's made of. We're not sure what that means, but it's probably awesome.
Marika Hackman: Marika's ascent over the last two years has been remarkable, firmly establishing herself as one of alternative folk's most promising prospects through an astounding run of EP's. It was recently announced that her debut album We Slept At Last will be released in February through Dirty Hit Records, and we can't wait.
Deftones: Another optimistic one, but the band started writing material for their eighth album back in March while Chino Moreno was touring with his incredible industrial side-project, Crosses. They've hinted it could be out by early to mid 2015, and if their run of excellence with Diamond Eyes and Koi No Yokan is anything to go by, then we can't wait.
The 1975: Seeing a stunning two year ascent, The 1975's debut album went platinum last month, whetting the public's appetite for more material. With the band's touring commitments finally coming to an end, could we see a follow up record from the group in 2015?
Tool: The album we thought we'd never see draws ever nearer. 10,000 Days was the last offering from the band, which was released all the way back in 2006. Since then, lawsuits and frontman James Keenan's lack of involvement with the band have held the process back. Now, the latest reports show all the members of the band working together in the studio, which is a huge step forward. Expect it out by summer 2015.
Public Service Broadcasting: One of Britain's most inventive musical outfits, the return of Public Service Broadcasting couldn't come sooner, which is why we're seriously hyped for their new album launch shows in February 2015. The Race For Space looks set to follow the duo's debut album in equally inventive style, and will no doubt end up soundtracking our winter.
Noel Gallagher: The former Oasis man is back with his High Flying Birds (and a little help from fellow Manc icon Johnny Marr). Due for release on 2 March, expect nothing less than a mega wall of sound from one of the most celebrated songwriters of his generation.
Marina and the Diamonds: The return of Marina has been long anticipated, with her inventive brand of alternative pop repeatedly pleasing critics throughout her career to date. With her third record Froot due out in April, fans will be pleased to hear the singer will be releasing one track per month up until the album drops properly.
Metallica: They conquered Glastonbury, now they just need hurry the hell up with their 10th album - slated for release next year. If the taster we've had in the form of new track 'Lords Of Summer' is anything to go by, it's going to be epic.
Julio Bashmore: Becoming one of Britain's most talked about producers, it seems ridiculous that Julio Bashmore still hasn't released his long-anticipated debut album. Originally set to drop this summer, we're hoping that it will finally see the light of day next year (c'mon Bashmore, just put it out already).
Kendrick Lamar: One of the most acclaimed rappers in the world, Kendrick's return with 'i' last month showed a different, more back to basics change up to the style he established on Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, which makes us massively excited for the accompanying album that will be dropping at some point in 2015.
Chance The Rapper: Following on from the critically lauded Acid Rap mixtape, Chance has revealed he will be releasing a new LP, titled Surf as another free download in the near future. If the strength of his debut and the recent cover of the Arthur theme tune are anything to go by, this record has the potential to be phenomenal.
Action Bronson: After storming 2014, Action Bronson's major label debut has been rapidly amassing a buzz over the last few months. With release originally scheduled for 2014, we can only assume Bronson has been making the record as perfect as possible, which makes us content to wait until next year, with the rapper no doubt set to change the game just like on his past string of phenomenal mixtapes.
Mark Ronson: 'Uptown funk gonna give it to ya'; this week basically saw Mark Ronson return with the song that will define 2015, the lead single from his forthcoming album Uptown Funk that features Bruno Mars, one of many collaborators on what promises to be a jawdroppingly good record. With Tame Impala, Chance the Rapper and others on board, this record is going to be massive.
Pusha T: There's currently no release date for King Push, Pusha T's second album, however with Pharrell, Nottz, Needlz, Dom $olo, Hudson Mohawke and Baauer offering collaborations and with Kanye on executive production duties again, we know it's going to be pretty special.
Ellie Goulding: Reportedly working on her third album right now, 2015 will more than likely see a Halycon Days follow up from Ellie Goulding. Based upon her recent string of interviews, the songstress is apparently embracing a new direction in the studio atthe moment, a no doubt exciting prospect for fans who have watched her develop from an assuming folk-influenced singer/songwriter into a force to be reckoned with in the pop world.
Belle & Sebastian: The Scottish indie institution return on 19 January with ninth album, Girls In Peacetime Just Want To Dance. They've been a staple on indie dancefloors for years, but this time, they've finally gone all full-blown disco on us.
Big Noble: A collaboration between Interpol guitarist Daniel Kessler and sound designer Joseph Fraioli, experimental duo Big Noble will release First Light on 2 February 2015. Kessler's involvement is more than enough to get us excited, but Fraioli describes the project as "immersive and perspective-changing...sonically a lot of the arrangements feel technically vast, but there's an intimacy that I hope listeners will find addictive to escape within."
Queens Of The Stone Age: It was six years between Era Vulgaris and 2013's Like Clockwork, but Josh Homme says that fans won't have to wait quite so long this time. Speaking back in January, Homme said: "We have more than enough songs. We're booked til September, but after that we plan to jump in the studio and get going. When it's time to make music, that's about getting lost for me. To be a control freak is not half as good as being a freak who's casually in control. You're feeling around in the dark for something that feels good. As long as you're not in an orgy, that can be an amazing moment."
Carl Barat & The Jackals: Aside from penning new Libertines tracks with Pete Doherty, Carl says that new band The Jackals are just as important to him, which is refreshing to hear. Their debut album Let It Reign is released on 16 February.
Albert Hammond Jr: The Strokes guitarist turned solo star gave a taster of what the future holds with his short, sharp and super-cool EP AHJ, but told Gigwise earlier this way that a new record was on the way. "It's always hard to tell at this point, but the two songs I have are so different that one of them is just a heavily distorted riff over some thumping drums, and the other I can't really explain - it's just heavier," says Hammond, clearly excited as the material takes shape in his mind. "The other one has kind of a melodic, Talking Heads, 80s David Bowie feel. It has these cool, high-riffs over this chord structure. All of the Talking Heads has these little riffs, so it's kind of like that but mixed with 'China Girl' by David Bowie, so I'm curious to see where that goes."
Soulwax: They've spent the last few years tearing up the dancefloor with 2ManyDJs and the life-changing Despacio with James Murphy, but this summer they told Gigwise that they've been working on new Soulwax material at their own home-built studio in Ghent. Hopefully, it will be ready out in time for another awesome Soulwaxmas next December.
Peace: "It's finished, we're just waiting for the right time to release it," frontman Harry Koisser told Gigwise earlier this year. "I think it kind of expands on every element of our sound that we've already covered. Our thing isn't linear, we're not 'this is us', we're like 'this is us, these are our directions, then this one goes even further in each way'. It seems a bit boring to just be like, "right, we're this and then we're going to do this and so it well."
The Charlatans: Following the death of drummer Jon Brookes, the band invited special friends such as New Order's Stephen Morris behind the kit for their emotional new album, Modern Nature - out on 26 January.
Wolf Alice: One of 2015's most likely commercial breakthroughs, Wolf Alice look set to follow their successful year so far with a full studio album. With some boundary-pushing EPs already behind them, expect the record to be a diverse, and suitably raucous affair.
New Order: The dance-rock, post-punk icons released their last album Waiting For The Siren's Call back in 2005. Since then, they've parted ways with bassist and founding member Hooky and signed to Mute Records. The band have been airing new material at recent festival shows, and Mute boss Danny Miller says that it's shaping up to be pretty exciting.
Everything Everything: It was recently announced that Everything Everything will be completing their Arc follow up in public, working in a glass panelled box for a week in a Manchester Library. Though an official release date hasn't been set, we'd guess fans will be able to hear the record in a book-less environment early next year.
Biffy Clyro: The Scottish rock powerhouse just saw 2014 out by playing all of their albums in full with some special Glasgow shows, but they're making steady progress on the follow-up to Opposites. "We're getting it together," said frontman Simon Neil earlier this month. "Realistically it won't be out until the end of next year. We're working on the songs now, but we don't want to rush it. We've been in everyone's faces for the last couple of years, so I think it's important to disappear for a wee while and then come back all guns blazing."
Raury: Changing the hip hop landscape from the offset, Raury is an artist that might just come to define hip hop in 2015. Following his diverse Indigo Child Project mixtape, the prodigy will hopefully be releasing his debut studio album next year, which will hopefully see the teenager get the mainstream acclaim his musical brand deserves.
The Strokes: Some really, really wishful thinking here - but the band are said to have been tinkering in the studio in between tour dates over the last year or so, admittedly in no rush. However, with a European festival tour starting to take shape for 2015, could they make another glorious comeback with new material?
Green Day: They said they were taking a break once their touring wrapped up in the Autumn of 2014, but it's been three years since their Uno, Dos, Tre trilogy. With the band eligible for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame next year, we'd say it stands to reason that they storm back into our hearts by the end of 2015.
Frank Ocean: We've been waiting far too long for the follow up to Frank Ocean's gamechanging Channel Orange. The R&B superstar has reportedly been working on the record for over a year, with producer Nabil claiming back in June that 'It blows the sophomore-album myth out of the water.' Whilst no release date has been set, it's likely that in 2015 we'll be able to see if he's right.
The Kills: The Domino art-rock duo have been writing and recording for much of the year, with Alison Mosshart saying back in May: "We're trying to make a record that's completely different. Anything that sounds like it could have sat quite easily on any of the other records will probably get scrapped or reworked, played on some kind of different instruments with a completely different kind of rhythm and a completely different kind of feel. That's what takes so long, is trying to break out of the thing that you know and you're good at and trying to get good at something else."
Haim: Back in June, Haim told Rolling Stone that a follow up to Days Are Gone was coming 'very soon', with the trio spending their time on the road throughout the year to write. With no release date set we would expect next year will see the fruits of their labour, just in time for the sisters to storm festival season all over again.
Brandon Flowers: While The Killers take a break, Mr Flowers has been working on the follow-up to 2010's Flamingo with producer Ariel Rechstadt, with the aim to release new material next year. "He's taking me out of my comfort zone," Flowers said. "Normally I make demos and they're pretty similar to how the songs end up. But he'll take the song and be like, 'I hear this' It's incredible - his palette and his range, what he's able to say. He'll try other ways of doing things and that's something I've never really done."
Maccabees: Few indie bands have developed with each album quite like The Maccabees, which sets the standard quite high for their next release, which they've promised will drop in 2015. There's been no indication on the direction the group will take on Given To The Wild's follow up just yet, however there's a chance of hearing some new material when they support Kasabian on tour this winter.
Massive Attack: Speaking exclusively to Gigwise at Glastonbury, 3D said that Massive Attack had an album's worth of material recorded, they just didn't know what to do with it yet. The frontman also mentioned they had been working with old bandmate Tricky again which is an incredibly exciting prospect, and something we need to hear ASAP.
Kings Of Leon: Drummer Nathan Followill recently tweeted "So sad to leave Brazil. Hell of a way to end this record cycle. So many amazing memories. Best fans in the world, record 7 coming soon". Though that isn't an official announcement, 2015 could very well be the year Kings of Leon follow on from Mechanical Bull.
Smashing Pumpkins: While Corgan and co will be dropping Monuments To An Elegy in December, but have another album called Day For Night due next year too. Describing the sound of the two records, Corgan said "guitars, guitars, guitars", which is good news.
Coldplay: We're sorry to say this, but the new album Coldplay are recording may well be their last. "This is the completion of something," said Chris Martin, "I have to think of it as the final thing we're doing."
Drake: We don't know much about Drake's Nothing Was The Same follow up just yet, other than the fact it will be called Views from the Six and will drop at some point in 2015. What is apparent though is Drizzy's excitement for the new material, recently rapping on '0-100/ The Catch Up' "We already got Spring 2015 popping / PND (Party Next Door) dropping , Majid Jordan dropping, OB dropping, not to mention me dropping."
Giorgio Moroder: Recently announcing his first solo album in 30 years, Giorgio Moroder has'nt held back on the collaboration front, bringing in Britney Spears, Charli XCX, Sia, Mikky Ekko and Kylie for the release, which is said to drop at some point next year.
James Blake: Following up the Mercury-winning Overgrown, Blake recently revealed he would be hoping to release his third album in 2015. With 'possible' collaborations with Kanye West on the cards, this album has the potential to be incredible.
Kid Cudi: A third Man on the Moon record looks all but confirmed for next year, with Cudi himself recently saying the third record in the acclaimed series will show a whole other level of maturity theres a lot of missing links between MOTM and MOTM II. They were both very ignorant albums, so I think Ill eliminate a lot of that.
Rihanna: Considering her track record of releasing albums annually, it was strange that Rih Rih didn't put out a full length record this year. Needless to say then, 2015 will no doubt see her return in majestic fashion with her long awaited eighth album.
The Decemberists: After a lengthy three year break, 2015 will finally see The Decemberists release their seventh album, the follow up to 2011's The King Is Dead. Right before they head out on tour around the UK, What A Terrible World, What a Beautiful World will be released on 20 January, and we couldn't be more excited.
2014 has been a brilliant year for music. You'll know that, of course, by reading Gigwise's best albums of the year list. But as we head to the end of December, it's time to look forward.
And with this much to look forward to, that's not a difficult task. From the much-anticipated Adele album to the equally anticipated Florence + The Machine material, to Coldplay, Madonna, Fleetwood Mac, Bjork, *deep breath* Muse, Queens Of The Stone Age, The Libertines... We could go on.
Here are the 75 most eagerly anticipated albums we have to look forward to in 2015.