Albums I Hope Surface At Some Point This Year

Whilst 2013 was an excellent year for debut albums (see Drenge, Lorde, Speedy Ortiz and technically Sky Ferreira), many of my favourite artists stayed relatively quiet last year. However, 2014 is already shaping up to be an excellent year for already established personal favourites.

Although, new albums by acts such as Warpaint, Bombay Bicycle Club, Metronomy and St Vincent have already been confirmed for this year, there are still a lot of TBCs and rumours floating about. Here is a list of the albums I’m hoping see the light of day at some point in 2014:

Grimes - Untitled fourth album

Canadian experimentalist Grimes was one of 2012’s greatest success stories, she finally met widespread acclaim with her third studio album Visions which is still one of my favourite albums of recent years. She revealed back in April that her new album was ‘two-fifths done’, which almost certainly means a 2014 release. Since she has signed to Jay Z’s Roc Nation recently, I will be interesting to see what direction she goes with this new record.

Joanna Newsom - Fourth Studio album

Now for a more ambiguous but no less exciting prospect; Joanna Newsom’s forth studio album. For those who don’t know, Joanna Newsom is an American singer/songwriter who is well-known for her incredibly long albums, primitive vocal style and hard-core harp skills. Whilst her 2004 debut album The Milk-Eyed Mender is still my favourite album of hers, she seems to be progressing greatly with each new record. Due to her absence from social media, it’s hard to tell exactly what's going on with this record but judging by the new tracks she recently played at Pitchfork Paris, it should be took long. This as yet untitled track sound particularly promising:

Frank Ocean - Follow up to Channel Orange

Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange was one of the greatest R’n’B albums of the 21st century; his voice, the production, the lyrics and the thought that went into this record made set Frank apart from his competition (Drake, The Weeknd). He is due to put out new material around summertime.

Lykke Li - Untitled Third Studio Album

Whilst it took me a while to connect with her debut album, Lykke Li’s sophomore album Wounded Rhymes is an absolute gem; it’s a pop album that doesn't tire no matter how many times you listen to it. Because of the immense shift between her last two albums, I genuinely don’t know what to expect, which is exciting.

Jessie Ware - Untitled Sophomore Album

Her debut album was perfect, in fact, she is perfect. Nothing more needs to be said here.

Lana Del Rey - Ultra-Violence

Ol’ Lizzy Grant sure knows how to hype up an album, doesn’t she? In a recent interview she did regarding the much anticipated follow up to her major label debut Born To Die, she said "I don't want to say, 'Yeah, definitely - the next one's better than this one,' because I don't really hear a next one” she continued "My muse is very fickle. She only comes to me sometimes, which is annoying”. Um...if I wasn’t already nervous about this record, I defiantly am now. I would very much like this record to be more gritty that Born To Die, much like her extremely underrated album Lana Del Ray a.k.a Lizzy Grant. Fickle muses aside, any album called ‘Ultra-Violence’ can’t be bad, surely.

Florence And The Machine - Third Studio Album

Flame-haired goddess Florence Welch (frontwoman of Florence and The Machine) has gone from indie-favourite to international star in a matter of years. Whilst I much prefer her ‘stomping around in meadows’ Lungs era, rumors of studio sessions with up-and-coming producer MNEK and Naughty Boy has dashed my hopes of a return to the gritty indie rock style she had in her debut. Still, anyone with a voice as excellent as hers will surely put out a corker of an album this year.

La Roux - New Album??!!

Although they have appeared to have fallen off the face of the earth, will 2014 see the once hotly-tipped duo return. I bloody hope so, In For the Kill was a tune.

The Black Keys - Follow up to El Camino

Although I’m not too crazy about their earlier albums, their last two records, Brothers

and El Camino are pretty damn great. If their new work is even close to the brilliance of Lonely Boy or Gold On The Ceiling, I will be pleased.

Solange - Follow up to the True EP

One of the many things that perplex me about the music  industry is how industry puppet Beyoncé is one of the most successful ‘artists’ in the world whilst her sister Solange, who is far superior musically is still relatively unknown in the mainstream. Her 2012 single ‘Losing You’ pretty much shits on anything in her big sister’s discography (albeit, fair enough, Crazy in Love).

Her True EP was a masterful R’n’B record which gives me high hopes for the full-length.

Marina And The Diamonds -  Untitled Third Studio Album

Whist I’m not really a fan of her synth-heavy sophomore album Electra Heart, it had some great songs, plus the concept was good (at first anyway). Her debut felt more sincere, more Marina, I just hope that she will consider a less electronic approach to her new material, her kookiness is what used to set her apart from the massive crowd of female popstars. Her image may be a bit confused at the moment but her songwriting is still razor-sharp. This album is make or break for her but I have faith.

Sharon Van Etten - Untitled Fourth Studio Album

Following up her last album, the critically acclaimed Tramp won’t be easy, but bearing in mind the immense artistic progression over the course of her discography thus far, this will be an instant classic.

Fleet Foxes - Untitled Third Studio Album

Folk isn’t usually my genre of choice, I don’t dislike it per se but banjo botherers Mumford and Sons have put me off slightly. However, Fleet Foxes’ endearing imagery, lyrics, tight harmonies and innovative sonic ideas certainly set them apart from Mumford . Despite split rumors, they have ensured fans that they’ll have a new album out this year.

Robyn - Follow up to the Body Talk series

My childhood playlist basically consisted of Oasis, Bjork, Led Zeplin, Blur and bizarrely, Robyn. Despite her not being  as commercially successful as her various female counterparts, as far as I’m concerned she is the world’s best pop star. Her Grammy nominated self-titled international breakthrough proved that she is in a league of her own. Robyn doesn't follow trends, she sets them and I have no doubt that her latest collection will reshape the currently dull pop landscape.

Honorable Mentions:
Flying Lotus
Pharmakon
Perfume Genius
My Brightest Diamond
Rustie
Caribou
Zola Jesus
Shellac