The start of a new year always means new beginnings- and in this case it means new music to listen to as well. Dozens of artists are releasing new albums at the beginning of the year, so whether you’re a fan of jazz, hip-hop or anything in between, there is something for you. Here is a run-down of 6 new albums we’re excited about that will hit the stands in January and February of 2016:
Courtesy: leparisien.fr
1. David Bowie – Blackstar (January 8th)
The late and great David Bowie has done it again with Blackstar. The album, which released in early January, has already been a great success. According to Billboard, Bowie’s latest album increased in sales over 5000% after the singer’s recent death on January 10, 2016- just days after the record released. Blackstar is his first album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200. For his 27th studio album, he takes a jazzier route. Recruiting a small jazz ensemble from a local bar in SoHo, NYC, where Bowie lived, he goes back to his first love- the saxophone. Using a 70’s jazz fusion vibe and a ton of improvised instrumental solos, Bowie transforms his sound once again, leaving audiences in awe.
Courtesy: ETonline.com
2. Panic! At the Disco – Death of a Bachelor (January 15th)
Let’s be honest. We all know that we jammed out to “I Write Sins not Tragedies” when we were in middle school. Now the famous maker of that song, Panic! At the Disco, is back with a new album. Death of A Bachelor was released January 15thand has already made the buzz. Brandon Urie, the solo remaining member of the band said in an interview with Rolling Stone that this new album is a tribute to “all those times I spent alone as a kid.” Billboard also has high hopes for the album, predicting that it might make it to the top of the charts sometime in February. So kids, get listening to Death of the Bachelor and let all that teenage angst out. That’s right, let it go.
Courtesy: chartsinfrance,net
3. Sia – This is Acting (January 29th)
Last year she was swinging from chandeliers, and this year she’s saying it’s all pretend. In her new album This is Acting, said to hit the stands on January 29th, Sia releases fresh, ultra-pop tracks that don’t necessarily represent her own life. Instead, she says, they are the stories of others. Sia’s original career path was to write pop songs for other performers- hence her reason for wanting her identity to remain relatively hidden. Whether it’s her iconic bob or her memorable music videos, Sia has made quite a few headlines. With the release of This is Acting, there will hopefully be many more.
Courtesy: Genius.com
4. Kanye West – SWISH (February 11th)
As you might have guessed, there is some HUGE hype about Kanye’s new album SWISH. It’s set to release February 11th. It was originally supposed to be called So Help Me God but clearly Kanye wasn’t feeling it. In an interview with radio station Power 91’s “The Breakfast Club,” West said that SWISH is about “embracing the music, embracing joy, and just being of service to the people.” Bless you, Kanye. And rumor has it that he even got some of the Kardashian family to come into the studio with him. P.S. If you’re dying to hear some of the music now, one track called “No More Parties in L.A.” Feat. Kendrick Lamar has already been released.
Courtesy: ticketswest.com
5. The 1975 – I Like it When You Sleep, for You are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It (February 26th)
Get ready for this mouthful: The 1975’s new album is called I Like it When You Sleep, for You are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It. Phew. It turns out that the band might be making some big changes with this new album as well. Moving away from their dark, alternative–rock vibe, the group is leaning more towards pop, of all things. Matt Healy, the lead singer said in an interview with Radio 1, “There’s a lot lacking in pop music these days. It’s such an amazing lexicon and vocabulary of sounds… and there’s just not enough good bands, man, and I’m sick of it. I’m just sick to death of it.” Fans can already get a glimpse of this new sound in their already released track “Love Me” and It. Is. Too. Good.
Courtesy: Pitchfork.com
6. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – This Unruly Mess I’ve Made (February 26th)
We’ve all been jamming out to his single “Downtown” for months now, but has anyone been wondering when the rest of album is coming out? Well no need to question any longer. The release date is February 26th and Macklemore is teaming up with his producer Ryan Lewis again to release his second LP entitled This Unruly Mess I’ve Made. The album is said to have songs that are written about his daughter and his battle with drug addiction. It’s been three years since he released The Heist, so you can bet we’re ready for more.