Though we’re still geeking out to all of the wonderful music that emerged in 2018, we’re already giddy with anticipation for the crop of new albums on the horizon in the new year. Here, we’ve identified the 20 albums we’re most excited to lay our ears upon in 2019, based on the information available to date, which is admittedly scarce for select titles.
As the respective album details and as-yet-to-be-announced release dates emerge, we’ll provide additional coverage, streams and reviews. In the meantime, check out the list below and be sure to let us know which forthcoming albums are on your wishlist!
MAGGIE ROGERS | Heard It In a Past Life
January 18th | Buy
Previewed by Justin Chadwick
Having released a handful of instantly memorable singles (and last year’s Now That the Light Is Fading EP) over the past few years, Maggie Rogers and her Capitol Records team have done a masterful job in whetting her growing legion of fans’ collective appetite for a proper full-length affair. With a songwriting maturity that belies her 24 years and half of the album’s dozen tracks co-produced by perennial hitmaker Greg Kurstin (Adele, Ellie Goulding, Sia), Rogers’ steady ascendance toward sophisti-pop supremacy seems all but assured.
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JAMES BLAKE | Assume Form
January 18th | Buy
Previewed by Justin Chadwick
In one of the first notable announcements of the new year and following months of eager speculation among his fans, James Blake has revealed that his fourth studio album Assume Form will indeed arrive this month. The 12-track follow-up to The Colour In Anything, which was named Albumism’s #1 Album of the Year in 2016, features intriguing guest spots by André 3000, Moses Sumney, and Travis Scott, among others. Earlier this year, Blake shared two new tracks (“If the Car Beside You Moves Ahead” and “Don’t Miss It”) and most recently, he announced plans for a North American tour that commences February 18th in Atlanta. As usual with Mr. Blake, we’re all ears.
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SHARON VAN ETTEN | Remind Me Tomorrow
January 18th | Buy
Previewed by Justin Chadwick
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, as the old adage goes. And such is the case with Sharon Van Etten, who is set to return with her first album in nearly four years. Sporting a robust, percussive sound that may augur a new musical direction to come, “Comeback Kid” is the lead single from the Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter’s forthcoming fifth studio album Remind Me Tomorrow which arrives early in the new year courtesy of the Jagjaguwar label.
In an official statement, the Brooklyn based singer-songwriter confides, "I want to be a mom, a singer, an actress, go to school, but yeah, I have a stain on my shirt, oatmeal in my hair and I feel like a mess, but I'm here. Doing it. This record is about pursuing your passions."
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MERCURY REV | Bobbie Gentry’s The Delta Sweete Revisited
February 8th | Pre-Order
Previewed by Justin Chadwick
Due February 8th, Mercury Rev’s new album—their first 2015’s The Light In You—pays homage to the revered but elusive country singer Bobbie Gentry’s 1968 album The Delta Sweete with cover versions supported by an impressive cast of female vocalists, including Phoebe Bridgers, Rachel Goswell, Norah Jones, Marissa Nadler, Margo Price, Hope Sandoval, and Laetitia Sadier, among others.
“Bobbie Gentry is one of the greatest writers and performers of our time,” Price declares in an official statement. “She was the definition of country funk and southern soul.”
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CZARFACE & GHOSTFACE KILLAH | Czarface Meets Ghostface
February 15th | Pre-Order
Previewed by Jesse Ducker
Czarface will attempt to recapture that magic that comes from working with a comic book-inspired hip-hopper when they release Czarface Meets Ghostface in early 2019. Less than a year after releasing the incredibly dope Czarface Meets Metal Face, a team-up where Seamus “Esoteric” Ryan and Jason “Inspectah Deck” Hunter recorded with MF DOOM, this duo will join forces with Tony Starks himself, Dennis “Ghostface Killah” Coles.
And if “Iron Claw,” the album’s first single is any indication, the album will be dark and menacing, clever and witty. The 12-track album shows the crew’s familiar obsessions, featuring titles like “Czarrcade ’87,” “Super Soldier Serum,” and “Mongolian Beef.” Here’s hoping Ghost sounds as energized throughout the album as he does on “Iron Claw.”
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WEEZER | Weezer (Black Album)
March 1st | Pre-Order
Previewed by Liz Itkowsky
A title (The Black Album), a 2019 tour with the Pixies, and two singles are the glimpses of the new Weezer project that surfaced in 2018. The first single, “Can’t Knock the Hustle,” produced by TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek, is a bouncy, pop rock jam, more synthesized than the band’s grungy roots. The second single, “Zombie Bastards,” promises the unabashed geek rock Weezer has delivered for the past 20 years and counting.
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DIDO | Still On My Mind
March 8th | Pre-Order
Previewed by Quentin Harrison
After Dido’s third album Safe Trip Home (2008), the British vocalist and song scribe’s release schedule slowed with only one other album arriving (2013’s The Girl Who Got Away) in the span of ten years. That said, the pair of albums were as solid as their antecedent sister recordings No Angel (1999) and Life for Rent (2003). So, the only real setback to such long breaks was that Dido enthusiasts had to wait longer between projects.
Her much awaited fifth LP, Still On My Mind, set to make landfall on March 8th and to be supported by an enterprising world tour, will extend Dido’s plush pop into her twentieth year of record making. Further, if the album’s two singles “Hurricanes” and “Friends” are any indication, Dido’s music is as enthralling as it has ever been.
OVER THE RHINE | Love & Revelation
March 15th
Previewed by Justin Chadwick
Incredulously, considering the dynamism and consistency of Over the Rhine’s prolific recorded repertoire over the past three decades, the husband-and-wife duo of Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist still fly well below the radar of far too many respectable music fans’ radars. But if there’s any justice left in the world, the pair’s forthcoming fourteenth studio album—the follow-up to 2013’s excellent Meet Me at the Edge of the World—will further expand their undyingly devoted fanbase, while offering their long-time loyalists reason to fall in love with their songs all over again.
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LUCY ROSE | No Words Left
March 22nd | Pre-Order
Previewed by Justin Chadwick
Rapidly ascending the ranks of the most vital singer-songwriter-instrumentalists working today, Lucy Rose has wasted precious little time in following up her stunning 2017 long player Something’s Changing, which nearly missed securing album-of-the-year honors here at Albumism, landing at #2 in our year-end list. Hot on the heels of last year’s stellar Something’s Changing: Remixes collection, the UK songstress’ fourth studio affair No Words Left promises to reinforce her multidimensional musical talents while expanding her loyal legion of supporters worldwide. Unveiled just last week, the project’s lovely lead single “Conversation” suggests that Rose has plenty of words left to share with the world.
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LANA DEL REY | Norman Fucking Rockwell
March 29th
Previewed by Liz Itkowsky
Earlier this year, Lana Del Rey announced her forthcoming album, Norman Fucking Rockwell. The first single “Mariners Apartment Complex,” produced by Jack Antonoff, promises the soulful pop she’s best known for. Shortly after releasing that single in September 2018, Del Rey followed it up with “Venice Bitch,” another dark and dreamy track. The anticipated release date is late March 2019.
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RYAN ADAMS | Big Colors
Release Date: April 19th
Previewed by Justin Chadwick
Leave it to arguably the most prolific singer-songwriter of the past 20 years to announce not one, not two, but three new follow-ups to 2017’s Prisoner on the horizon for 2019. Despite Adams’ incredulously prolific output since his Whiskeytown days, the workhorse musician has consistently pulled off the rare trick of balancing quantity and quality, and the forthcoming Big Colors, Wednesdays and as-yet-untitled third album promise to extend the feat, while offering his listeners 40 to 50 new songs to fall in love with.
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JENNY LEWIS | On the Line
Spring 2009
Previewed by Justin Chadwick
Boasting an all-star crew of collaborators including Ryan Adams, Beck and Ringo Starr, the former Rilo Kiley songstress plans to release her fourth solo album this Spring. On the Line follows 2014’s Adams-produced gem The Voyager and the eponymous 2016 debut LP recorded as part of Nice as Fuck, her side project with Au Revoir Simone’s Erika Forster and The Like’s Tennessee Thomas. Lewis will also take the album on the road when she kicks off her U.S. Spring tour March 26th, so be sure to snag tickets if you can.
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THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS | No Geography
Release Date TBD
Previewed by Justin Chadwick
Nearly 25 years have passed since the unassuming Manchester duo of Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons burst onto the dance music landscape with their breakthrough debut long player Exit Planet Dust (1995) and their output since has been consistently compelling. For recent evidence of the Chemical Brothers’ staying power, look no further than the infectious “Free Yourself,” which serves as the lead offering from their forthcoming ninth studio effort No Geography, the follow-up to 2015’s Born In The Echoes. A quarter century on, the Brothers’ beats are still rockin’ the block with no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
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JANET JACKSON | Title TBD
Release Date TBD
Previewed by Quentin Harrison
It has been a busy year for Janet Jackson. Multiple live dates performed and accolades received—notably her induction into the Rock & Roll of Fame’s Class of 2019—have kept Jackson hopping. The unveiling of her world music flavored single “Made for Now” this past summer was just the cherry on top of an already distinguished 2018.
Fans have buzzed about what implications “Made for Now” would have on Jackson’s follow-up to her eleventh long player Unbreakable (2015). While Jackson has been characteristically mum, what has gotten out so far is that the “album” could just be an extended play featuring “Made for Now” alongside some other new sides. What can be certain is that whatever form new music from Janet Jackson takes, it will be as soulful and engaging as her previous outings have been.
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RUN THE JEWELS | Run the Jewels 4
Release Date TBD
Previewed by Jesse Ducker
Very little is known about the recently announced fourth album by Run the Jewels, the super-duo composed of Jaime “El-P” Meline and “Killer Mike” Render. Ever since the third installment was released in late 2016, the pair have been extremely busy touring and engaged in other activities: El-P got married and Mike has been recording his Trigger Warning series for Netflix.
In a recent Instagram post, El-P explained that they’re recording the album, but don’t have a release date planned for it yet. Other than that, all we know is that it will likely be in the vein of “Let’s Go (The Royal We),” the song they recorded for the Venom soundtrack, and that they’re going to “try and make the grimiest, rawest record we possibly can.”
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MADONNA | Title TBD
Release Date TBD
Previewed by Quentin Harrison
Madonna’s last album Rebel Heart (2015) assuredly left much to be desired. At the time of its debut, Rebel Heart was the disappointing culmination of a near decade long stretch of albums (2008’s Hard Candy, 2012’s MDNA) caught in the slipstream of Madonna’s own shocking lack of confidence in her own abilities as a writer and singer.
Having recently relocated to Lisbon, Portugal—and per Madonna’s shared tidbits via her social media platforms—it seems as if the singer-songwriter has regained focus and found inspiration in the music of her new home. Reportedly being co-created with French studio head Mirwais Ahmadzaï —the man behind the boards on Music (2000), American Life (2003), and several tracks on Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005)—Madonna’s new record may just be able to get back to her muse. The as-yet-to-be-titled effort is set for a spring reveal.
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ROSIE LOWE | Title TBD
Release Date TBD
Previewed by Justin Chadwick
Criminally still largely unknown stateside, the beguiling, London-based singer-songwriter Rosie Lowe may finally secure the broader fanbase she rightfully deserves with her forthcoming second studio album. Though details about the follow-up to her dazzling 2016 debut Control remain sparse beyond periodic references to the recording process via Twitter, Lowe recently shared a tantalizing taste of what may be on the horizon in the form of the elegantly constructed, Kamaal Williams (a.k.a. Henry Wu) produced track “The Light.”
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MAXWELL | NIGHT
Release Date TBD
Previewed by Justin Chadwick
If three is indeed a magic number, as we once learned via Schoolhouse Rock, then Maxwell’s fans are in for an aural treat when the acclaimed soul stalwart unveils the forthcoming third and final installment of his nocturnal-themed album trilogy. Following BLACKsummers’night (2009) and blackSUMMERS’night (2016), the recently announced NIGHT is the acclaimed singer-songwriter’s sixth studio LP and it’s preceded by lead single “Shame.”
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SOLANGE | Title TBD
Release Date TBD
Previewed by Quentin Harrison
A decade parted from Solange’s critically celebrated sophomore set Sol-Angel and the Hadley Street Dreams (2008), Solange has continued hitting new heights. In addition to pursuing other artistic avenues in fashion and publishing of late, Solange has been busy putting the finishing touches on her fourth record and follow-up to the celebrated A Seat at the Table (2016).
Initially rumored for a fall/winter 2018 release, the new album was pushed back to the first quarter of 2019. Of course, Solange’s upcoming song cycle is being eagerly anticipated as one of her best and if her preceding affairs are anything to go by, she won’t disappoint.
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LIZ PHAIR | Title TBD
Release Date TBD
Previewed by Liz Itkowsky
While there’s no title or single yet, fans have gleaned bits of information about a new album from Liz Phair via her Twitter feed. It appears she’s working with Ryan Adams, who has referred to the output of their studio sessions as a “rawness I first heard on Guyville.” After a packed touring schedule in 2018 (and an even more extensive international tour in 2019), it’s hard to say when the prolific rocker will release this cryptic album, but fingers are crossed for new Phair in the new year.
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THE CURE | Title TBD
Release Date TBD
Previewed by Rayna Khaitan
We fans of The Cure can scarcely bear the anticipation of what promises to be a most enchanting year ahead. Excitement was already swirling, as we looked ahead to major milestones like the 40th anniversary of their debut album Three Imaginary Boys (1978) and the 30th year anniversary of their acclaimed masterpiece Disintegration (1988)—not to mention the 60th birthday of The Cure’s only consistent member, singer/guitarist Robert Smith.
Then, thrillingly, 2019 show dates began to materialize. Over the last few months, The Cure have announced a steady series of festival performances across Europe and South Africa and a special show at an Irish castle that sold out almost instantly.
But, just last week, we were given a wealth of even more heart-whirling news. On December 13th, I awoke to learn my favorite band in the world had finally been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The following day, in an interview with SiriusXM, Smith confirmed The Cure would be heading into the studio in “about six weeks” to finish a new album—which, if released, would be the first in 11 years!
Their last LP, 4:13 Dream (2008), wasn’t quite what Smith had envisioned, and it’s perhaps partly why he hasn’t felt compelled to hurry back into the studio. However, earlier this year, Smith curated the Meltdown Festival in London, carefully selecting dozens of bands—new and old—to play the week-long event. By all accounts, it was a powerful experience for Smith, reawakening his artistic desire to create. We might’ve received a preview during the 2016 tour when the band debuted “It Can Never Be the Same” and “Step Into the Light.” Both embody many of the distinctive characteristics that make The Cure so immersive, including crescendoing guitars and, of course, Smith’s unmistakably wonderful, soul-opening voice.
At this point, it’s unclear if those songs will make it onto the new album, but with any luck, we’ll have answers soon. Until then, I await with bated breath.
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MELANIE C | Title TBD
Release Date TBD
Previewed by Quentin Harrison
With multiple sell-out dates for their summer stadium tour in the United Kingdom—and likely additional international dates to follow—the Spice Girls are going to be busy for a considerable portion of 2019. In addition to touring, the new year represents a milestone for one of its members, Melanie C. Northern Star (1999), her debut solo album, arrives at its twentieth anniversary and marks a continually successful career separate from the iconic girl group that launched her.
It is in the wake of these two events that her eighth album (and second covers affair) is set to premiere sometime this year, presumably before the Spice Girls’ tour commences. Though its title is still forthcoming, what has been confirmed is its producer, Martin “Youth!” Glover. The former Killing Joke founder and bassist has helmed records for the likes of Bananarama, Culture Club and Dubstar. Currently, he has assisted Melanie C in the construction of this LP set to host a range of covers affirming her own eclectic tastes.
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SLEATER-KINNEY | Title TBD
Release Date TBD
Previewed by Justin Chadwick
With Portlandia now a wrap after eight seasons, Carrie Brownstein has reunited with Corin Tucker and Janet Weiss to record Sleater-Kinney’s ninth studio album, the successor to 2015’s No Cities to Love. Details about the project are sparse at this point, but the band has intriguingly revealed that Annie Clark (a.k.a. St. Vincent) is on board for production duties. "We always planned on getting back in the studio—it was just a matter of when,” Brownstein recently explained to NPR. “If there is an overarching principle to this album, it's that the tools on which we were relying proved inadequate. So we sought new ones, both metaphorically and literally."
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BLACK STAR | Title TBD
Release Date TBD
Previewed by Justin Chadwick
Just when we had given hope that the powerful pairing of Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) and Talib Kweli would ever reunite on wax, the partners-in-rhyme have alluded to reconvening in the studio to craft their long-awaited, much-anticipated second album. Though nearly a year has passed since Bey mentioned the forthcoming album during a live DJ set by Madlib (also rumored to be involved in the project) with minimal details emerging since, the duo’s devoted fans remain cautiously optimistic that the new project will indeed surface soon enough. Until then, we’ll keep their landmark debut LP Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star (1998)—which recently celebrated its 20-year milestone—in heavy rotation, as usual.
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EMMA BUNTON | Title TBD
Release Date TBD
Previewed by Quentin Harrison
One of the unexpected releases set for this year is Emma Bunton’s fourth solo record and first since Life in Mono (2006). In the time since her last album, Bunton has kept a high profile as a successful businesswoman and radio host. With the announcement in late 2018 that the Spice Girl had inked a new deal with BMG Records, the music press and fans have been curious as to the direction Bunton will take with her forthcoming long player.
Outside of several friendly peeks into the process via Twitter, Bunton has wisely kept the results of the writing and recording sessions under wraps. Allowing the anticipation to build can only give her an advantage in attracting attention to this project. With her participation in the second formal Spice Girls reunion—and the corresponding British summer tour on the books—it’s likely that the still yet-to-be-titled LP will hit store shelves some time before the group’s shows kick off or directly after they conclude.
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