The first thing people want to know in the new year is how quickly they'll abandon their resolutions, but after that comes the talk of new music. With the likes of Madonna, Bjork and Fleetwood Mac in the mix, Kanye attempting to stay relevant and U2 dropping another album for people to shield their iPhones from, this year will have no problem bringing an earful of new, anticipated albums. Honorable mention goes to the Lone Bellow's self-titled debut, out in late January.
Mark Ronson - "Uptown Special" (January 13)
![new albums 2015, upcoming 2015 new music releases, mark ronson]()
If the single "Uptown Funk" is any indication of how the record might go, you better dust off your glittery dance shoes and grab that red leather jacket from its hanger. With collaborations from Drake, Stevie Wonder and Tame Impala's Kevin Parker on the album, it's like Michael Jackson came back from the dead to make babies with Bruno Mars (who is also featured on the album). Note: Drake has a new album himself, "Views From the 6," a hopeful fourth consecutive number-one. Panda Bear and Guster also have new releases on this date.
Kendrick Lamar - Unknown title (Early 2015)
![new albums 2015, upcoming 2015 new music releases, kendrick lamar]()
The hottest young rapper in the game right now is Kendrick Lamar, and his latest studio album is set to drop early this year after debuting a new track live both in September and November on television. With seven Grammy nominations for his debut just a few years ago, new music from Lamar is clearly still in demand. In addition, hip hop fans will be overjoyed to know that Lil' Wayne and Kanye West also have projects in the works for early this year.
Butch Walker - "Afraid of Ghosts" (February 3)
![new albums 2015, upcoming 2015 new music releases, butch walker]()
Since his departure with the Black Widows, Butch has been back solo and now under singer-songwriter Ryan Adams' producing direction, leading off his latest "Afraid of Ghosts" with a sentimental "Father's Day" single in his father's honor. The lead single offers some of the same simplicity and studying of the space between sounds that Adam's 2014 self-titled album had. Other solo projects include Brandon Flowers, Adele and Macklemore, one of the most anticipated and discrete albums in the rumor mill.
Bob Dylan - "Shadows in the Night" (February 3)
![new albums 2015, upcoming 2015 new music releases, bob dylan shadows in the night]()
He may be ancient, but Bob Dylan is never too elderly to roll like a stone. With his latest "Shadows in the Night," Dylan returns with a unique five-piece band album with the fullness of a 30-piece arrangement, recorded live with very little studio editing, breathing new life into his musical repertoire at the bright age of 73. Check out "Full Moon and Empty Arms" available for streaming on Dylan's official site.
Father John Misty - "I Love You, Honeybear" (February 10)
![new albums 2015, upcoming 2015 new music releases, father john misty]()
J. Tillman of Fleet Foxes fame is back with a follow-up to his new project, Father John Misty, which had its debut album in 2012. His new single, "Bored in the USA," premiered in hilarious fashion on "Late Show with David Letterman" and features large string arrangements and the bearded genius' vocally driven debut record taken to the next level. Tillman will be touring early this year in support of the sophomore effort.
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - "Chasing Yesterday" (March 2)
![new albums 2015, upcoming 2015 new music releases, noel gallagher]()
The self-titled UK chart topper with his High Flying Birds will make Noel Gallagher's follow-up a real challenge, but from the sounds of his new lead-off single "In the Heat of the Moment," it shouldn't be a problem. More than half a decade away from his Oasis stardom, Gallagher returns with a psychedelic meets sublime album after more than two years since his last release, giving the people of England something to get drunk and punch each other to again.
Modest Mouse - "Strangers to Ourselves" (March 3)
![new albums 2015, upcoming 2015 new music releases, modest mouse]()
As far as being anticipated the longest, Modest Mouse holds the prize for first album in eight years. That's nearly a decade since their 2007 release "We Were Dead Before the Ship Went Down." The band confirmed a March release date while supplying us a tease with their single "Lampshades on Fire." It's time to get out your skinny jeans and thrifty shirts because those unmistakeable vocals, infectious harmonies and punchy pop sounds are back in full force.
Ludacris - "Ludaversal" (March 31)
![new albums 2015, upcoming 2015 new music releases, ludacris]()
Christopher Brian Bridges, better known to the kids as Ludacris, will release "Ludaversal" -- that's kind of catchy -- the final day of March. After three singles for the album bombed in 2012, the rapper went back in the studio with new producers, including Usher, and collaborated with the likes of Wiz Khalifa and Anita Baker. The album has a lot to do with his father, growing up, 20-inch grills and nasty bitches. One of the album's hits is titled "Party Girls," taking cues from the infectious '90s pop song "Barbie Girl."
Radiohead (TBA)
![new albums 2015, upcoming 2015 new music releases, radiohead]()
After a highly successful solo September release with "Tomorrow's Modern Boxes," Thom Yorke is regrouping with the band for possibly the biggest album of the year. It'll likely be a surprise release one fine morning both in its title and contents, but rest assured Radiohead is plugging away and unearthing new musical landscapes for our curious ears in the new year. So far, rumors spell out a possibility of returning to their roots with some heavy rock influence, but either way the band will embark on one of the most sought out worldwide tours upon its release.
Incubus - Double EPs (Spring and Summer 2015)
![new albums 2015, upcoming 2015 new music releases, incubus]()
Free from their record label, the California quintet set out to do things their own way, slow and steady, only to quickly come up with a few handfuls of songs, set to be released in two EPs to total a complete album in early 2015. Now signed short term with Island Records, the band is set to tour again around the release of the first EP, likely including their new track "Trust Fall," which debuted live at KROQ's Almost Acoustic Christmas back in December.
Tame Impala (TBA)
![new albums 2015, upcoming 2015 new music releases, tame impala]()
As far as the Australian band circuit goes, Tame Impala was one of the best received announcements in the new music forum to start off the year. Their 2012 release "Lonerism" isn't that old, but it's so good it's had kids drooling at the mouth for more of Kevin Parker and the band's goodies. Mix that with rumored new Band of Horses music and this year is looking pretty rad for uprising indie music.
Coldplay - "A Head Full of Dreams" (TBA)
![new albums 2015, upcoming 2015 new music releases, coldplay]()
Normally we're not big on promoting the biggest space rock band on the planet, but be that this is rumored as Coldplay's potential final full length, we decided to hoist Chris Martin and his clan on our delicate shoulders for a deserved victory lap. After wrapping on "Ghost Stories" and a soft tour supporting the soft album, the British boys went right back into the studio. Though they claim this is the end of their journey together, they haven't ruled out something in the future, but it looks as though we need to start looking for something new to represent all that is sensitive, overly emotion and fitting when we need a good cry.
Mark Ronson - "Uptown Special" (January 13)
If the single "Uptown Funk" is any indication of how the record might go, you better dust off your glittery dance shoes and grab that red leather jacket from its hanger. With collaborations from Drake, Stevie Wonder and Tame Impala's Kevin Parker on the album, it's like Michael Jackson came back from the dead to make babies with Bruno Mars (who is also featured on the album). Note: Drake has a new album himself, "Views From the 6," a hopeful fourth consecutive number-one. Panda Bear and Guster also have new releases on this date.
Kendrick Lamar - Unknown title (Early 2015)
The hottest young rapper in the game right now is Kendrick Lamar, and his latest studio album is set to drop early this year after debuting a new track live both in September and November on television. With seven Grammy nominations for his debut just a few years ago, new music from Lamar is clearly still in demand. In addition, hip hop fans will be overjoyed to know that Lil' Wayne and Kanye West also have projects in the works for early this year.
Butch Walker - "Afraid of Ghosts" (February 3)
Since his departure with the Black Widows, Butch has been back solo and now under singer-songwriter Ryan Adams' producing direction, leading off his latest "Afraid of Ghosts" with a sentimental "Father's Day" single in his father's honor. The lead single offers some of the same simplicity and studying of the space between sounds that Adam's 2014 self-titled album had. Other solo projects include Brandon Flowers, Adele and Macklemore, one of the most anticipated and discrete albums in the rumor mill.
Bob Dylan - "Shadows in the Night" (February 3)
He may be ancient, but Bob Dylan is never too elderly to roll like a stone. With his latest "Shadows in the Night," Dylan returns with a unique five-piece band album with the fullness of a 30-piece arrangement, recorded live with very little studio editing, breathing new life into his musical repertoire at the bright age of 73. Check out "Full Moon and Empty Arms" available for streaming on Dylan's official site.
Father John Misty - "I Love You, Honeybear" (February 10)
J. Tillman of Fleet Foxes fame is back with a follow-up to his new project, Father John Misty, which had its debut album in 2012. His new single, "Bored in the USA," premiered in hilarious fashion on "Late Show with David Letterman" and features large string arrangements and the bearded genius' vocally driven debut record taken to the next level. Tillman will be touring early this year in support of the sophomore effort.
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - "Chasing Yesterday" (March 2)
The self-titled UK chart topper with his High Flying Birds will make Noel Gallagher's follow-up a real challenge, but from the sounds of his new lead-off single "In the Heat of the Moment," it shouldn't be a problem. More than half a decade away from his Oasis stardom, Gallagher returns with a psychedelic meets sublime album after more than two years since his last release, giving the people of England something to get drunk and punch each other to again.
Modest Mouse - "Strangers to Ourselves" (March 3)
As far as being anticipated the longest, Modest Mouse holds the prize for first album in eight years. That's nearly a decade since their 2007 release "We Were Dead Before the Ship Went Down." The band confirmed a March release date while supplying us a tease with their single "Lampshades on Fire." It's time to get out your skinny jeans and thrifty shirts because those unmistakeable vocals, infectious harmonies and punchy pop sounds are back in full force.
Ludacris - "Ludaversal" (March 31)
Christopher Brian Bridges, better known to the kids as Ludacris, will release "Ludaversal" -- that's kind of catchy -- the final day of March. After three singles for the album bombed in 2012, the rapper went back in the studio with new producers, including Usher, and collaborated with the likes of Wiz Khalifa and Anita Baker. The album has a lot to do with his father, growing up, 20-inch grills and nasty bitches. One of the album's hits is titled "Party Girls," taking cues from the infectious '90s pop song "Barbie Girl."
Radiohead (TBA)
After a highly successful solo September release with "Tomorrow's Modern Boxes," Thom Yorke is regrouping with the band for possibly the biggest album of the year. It'll likely be a surprise release one fine morning both in its title and contents, but rest assured Radiohead is plugging away and unearthing new musical landscapes for our curious ears in the new year. So far, rumors spell out a possibility of returning to their roots with some heavy rock influence, but either way the band will embark on one of the most sought out worldwide tours upon its release.
Incubus - Double EPs (Spring and Summer 2015)
Free from their record label, the California quintet set out to do things their own way, slow and steady, only to quickly come up with a few handfuls of songs, set to be released in two EPs to total a complete album in early 2015. Now signed short term with Island Records, the band is set to tour again around the release of the first EP, likely including their new track "Trust Fall," which debuted live at KROQ's Almost Acoustic Christmas back in December.
Tame Impala (TBA)
As far as the Australian band circuit goes, Tame Impala was one of the best received announcements in the new music forum to start off the year. Their 2012 release "Lonerism" isn't that old, but it's so good it's had kids drooling at the mouth for more of Kevin Parker and the band's goodies. Mix that with rumored new Band of Horses music and this year is looking pretty rad for uprising indie music.
Coldplay - "A Head Full of Dreams" (TBA)
Normally we're not big on promoting the biggest space rock band on the planet, but be that this is rumored as Coldplay's potential final full length, we decided to hoist Chris Martin and his clan on our delicate shoulders for a deserved victory lap. After wrapping on "Ghost Stories" and a soft tour supporting the soft album, the British boys went right back into the studio. Though they claim this is the end of their journey together, they haven't ruled out something in the future, but it looks as though we need to start looking for something new to represent all that is sensitive, overly emotion and fitting when we need a good cry.