Happy New Year! With a new year, comes plenty of new music. Here’s my personal list of some of the most anticipated albums of 2019.
1) Rihanna R9
Rumor has it that she is returning to her Caribbean roots and will be giving us a dancehall inspired album. After hearing “Work”, I think I can speak for all of us when I say, I cannot wait for this!
2) The Chemical Brothers No Geography
2019 will mark 30 years in the game for the English electronic duo. So it’s only right that they mark the occasion with a new album. They surprised us all when they dropped “Free Yourself” in September and in true Chemical Brothers fashion, it’s big and progressive. Looking forward to this one.
3) Missy Elliott TBA
Missy Elliott is one of the most influential artists in music over the last 25 years (a fact that’s indisputable). With her first performance in 10 years at FYF in 2017, several appearance since, and a few singles, it’s safe to say we are going to see the first Missy Elliott album in 13 years in 2019. Check out the incredible visuals from her latest single “I’m Better.”
4) Chromatics Dear Tommy
This album was originally due to be released in 2015 but after some sort of near death experience in Hawaii, Johnny Jewel destroyed every copy of the album (which included 15,000 cds and 10,000 vinyl copies). The band’s manager, Alexis Rivera, said the new album will have “the same title, same lyrics, same order, as it was announced in Dec 2014. Nothing’s changed, except it’s better.” We shall see. Here’s the video for “Black Walls”, the first official single from Dear Tommy.
5) Q-Tip The Last Zulu
I know, I know, us Q-Tip fans have been waiting forever since 2009’s Kamaal, BUT between the last Tribe album dropping the end of 2016, multiple features since then, AND the fact that he tweeted “The Last Zulu aka The Riot Diary” is coming soon, I think we will finally be getting the first Q-Tip album in 10 years. Now, I must admit that tweet was last summer…enjoy “Feelin” from his last solo effort.
6) Mark Ronson TBA
From Amy Winehouse to Kevin Parker of Tame Impala to Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson’s musical pedigree is unquestioned. He recently collaborated with Miley Cyrus, further fueling the speculation that a new album is due. Check out the visuals for his song with Miley Cyrus, “Nothing Breaks Like A Heart.”
7) KAYTRANADA TBA
Though there hasn’t been an official announcement of a full length, between his recent signing to RCA and subsequent EP, it’s safe to assume a follow up to 2016’s 99.9% is coming. Take a listen to “Chances” from his most recent EP.
8) Kendrick Lamar
Before you get too excited, there hasn’t even been a hint of an announcement… yet. Thinking about how prolific he’s been over the last several years – and he seems to come out with a solo album every two to three years – well, DAMN. came out in 2017. So, it might be time :). Here’s something to get you pumped about the prospect of a new Kendrick record
Chemical Brothers photo c/o Daniele Dalledonne (Creative Commons)