After an incredible year for music in 2017, we preview the releases we're most excited about (potentially) arriving in 2018.
Chromeo - Head Over Heels
Chromeo are by far the most
underrated electronic, funk and disco duo knocking around today.
Their goofy lyrics, 80's influenced synth work, cheesy guitar solos and
hilariously brilliant vocoder hooks all come together to create songs
worthy of any credible radio station. Check out their new single
‘Juice’
and we guarantee you’ll be walking like John Travolta in ‘Saturday
Night Fever’ for the rest of the day.
First Aid Kit – Ruins
Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit are slated to release their fourth studio album in 2018 and their second released through major label Columbia. Following on from 2014's 'Stay Gold' and with three brilliant singles already released, the sisters look set to make 2018 their most successful year.
Franz Ferdinand – Always Ascending
In early February 2018, indie legends Franz Ferdinand return with their fifth studio album. Working with Philippe Zdar of French synth-pop duo Cassius, 'Always Ascending' promises to be packed full of electronic, new-wave influenced pop hits.
S. Carey – Hundred Acres
Multi-instrumentalist and long-time member of Bon Iver’s touring band Sean Carey will release his third record as a solo artist. Expect beautifully formed folk songs with sweeping slide guitars and thick, layered vocal harmonies. If single
‘Fool’s Gold’ is anything to go by, we really are in for a rare treat.
ISLAND – Feels Like Air
Not Another Music Blog. favourites ISLAND will release their debut full length LP in April. The lads use heavy delays on their guitars coupled with Rollo Doherty’s gravelly vocal tones to create a unique sound. We expect big things from the London quartet next year.
Arctic Monkeys – TBA
Sheffield legends Arctic Monkeys have been spinning the rumour mill since mid-2017 about their impending untitled follow up to 2013's magnificent ‘AM’. With no music surfacing as yet, we can only hope Alex Turner and the boys pull out all the stops for potentially one of next year’s biggest albums.
MGMT – Little Dark Age
MGMT return with their fourth studio album ‘Little Dark Age’. The duo, hailing from America, have already teased two brilliant, psychedelic influenced pop bangers. ‘Little Dark Age’ is expected to be a long-awaited and welcome return to form.
Johnny Marr – TBA
One of the coolest and greatest guitarists of all time has been teasing a new project through his Instagram account over the past few months with each new picture captioned ‘Album 3’. Packed full of those signature jangly riffs, The Smiths legend will be hopefully returning with a bang.
Kanye West – Turbo Grafx 16
Yeezy has been talking about this new record since the release of 2016’s ‘The Life of Pablo’. 2017 was a quiet year for Kanye and reports even suggested he went all Bon Iver on us and whisked himself off to a wintery cabin to focus on more music. We can wish he drops more music this year, but as we all know, nothing is certain in Kanye West’s world.
Grimes – TBA
We don’t know much about a new Grimes project (or
even if there will be one) but the rumours have been bubbling away
nicely for the last few months. It’s been three years since her last
record ‘Art Angels’ blew us away so a new album will be welcomed
with open arms.
Sports Team – Winter Nets
Northwest London-based Sports Team arrive with their debut EP ‘Winter Nets’ in January. The six-piece have garnered a brilliant live following and the buzz around them is constantly growing. They released two brilliant singles in late 2017 and have been featured on many prestigious
‘One’s to Watch in 2018’ lists. ‘Winter Nets' promises to be one of the indie debuts of the year
Marmozets – Knowing What You Know Now
After exploding on to the rock scene with their debut album in 2014 and extensive touring around the world, Yorkshire natives Marmozets return with their second album, ‘Knowing What You Know Now’. Expect riffs.
Father John Misty - TBA
Josh Tillman told
Uncut that his next
record, which he has said will arrive in the coming year, is “a
heartache album.” He has compared the effort to his second FJM
full-length, 2015’s ‘I Love You Honeybear’. If he sticks to his word, it means there will be two
Father John Misty albums released in two years. Simply lovely.
The 1975 - Music for Cars
After a blisteringly successful couple of years,
The 1975 are releasing their third studio album in 2018. With no concrete
release date announced yet, we’ll have to keep our eyes and ears open.
There’s just one thing we ask, more bangers and less instrumentals please!
Hookworms – Microshift
The third band from Yorkshire on this list, Hookworms announced the arrival of their new album ‘Microshift’ along with the fantastic single ‘Negative Space’. The single teases a more electronic musical direction, but as ever with Hookworms, nothing is as it seems.
Young Fathers – TBA
2014s Mercury Music Prize winners Young Fathers arrived with their new single 'Lord' in November of 2017 sparking rumours of a new album. There has been no official word as yet, but we can live in hope. The gospel influenced ‘Lord’ definitely peaked our interest.
Fickle Friends – You Are Someone Else
Brighton five-piece Fickle Friends have been very busy over the past 18 months. They’ve toured the UK, released pop banger after pop banger and have announced their debut album. Working with The 1975 producer Mike Crossey, the album promises to be full of catchy pop hooks and glistening synth parts perfect for a summer soundtrack.
Shame – Songs of Praise
No, this isn’t a covers album filled with biblical hymns from BBC2’s programme of the same name; it is in fact London post-punk outfit Shame’s debut album. After lighting up the London punk scene over the last few years, Shame are ready to go big and we can’t wait to see them grow.
The Streets - TBA
Mike Skinner announced that he would be reforming The Streets for a reunion tour in 2018. That tour sold out in under two minutes. (Can anyone sort us a ticket plz?) Since then, Skinner has released two tunes that have received mixed reviews but a new album could be right around the corner.
The Vaccines - Combat Sports
Indie heroes The Vaccines return with their fourth studio album 'Combat Sports'. The lads dropped the first single off the record titled 'I Can't Quit' in early January. The tune is raw, anthemic and perfect for those summer festival crowds.
Frank Ocean - TBA
Frank posted a picture on his Tumblr with a slogan on a blokes hat saying, ‘If you liked
2017, you’ll love 2018’. He released a fair few singles in 2017 following up to 2016's 'Blonded' and 'Endless'. Another album would be a joy. Come on
Frank. You can do it.
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