FEATURE: Albums in 2017: The Good, The Wonderful and The Rumoured

FEATURE:

 

Albums in 2017:

  

The Good, The Wonderful and The Rumoured

______________________

TOMORROW, I will be looking at a group who are…

going to be one of the most talked-about acts of 2017 (I will keep it secret until then!). As this is the first day of the year, it seems like an appropriate time to look at the albums confirmed (and rumoured) that will be amazing critic and getting people excited. Echoing the polls and features of fellow journalists; I am pumped to discover just what 2017 has in store with regards its music. After Royal Blood posted a short tease on their Facebook page (and below) and that, to be, will be one of the pivotal moments of the year. When/if that album is out soon, it will provide the year a major kick and burst of energy. I have been criticising the duo because of the gap since their debut album (released in 2014: a chasm of time in musical terms). Let’s hope they can capatlise on their eponymous record and give us the same sort of bass-sounding-like-an-electric-guitar-drums-kicking-you-in-the-nuts swagger and venom as we know they’re capable of. London Grammar have just released a tease of their forthcoming second album: another band that have left quite a few years since their debut. That is all in the pipeline – and seems like it is imminent – but I have brought together a selection of the albums we should all be watching out for.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvYpStr-Yfw&w=560&h=315]

The Flaming Lips – Oczy Mlody

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK_ggTw4lhA&w=560&h=315]

RELEASE DATE: 13^th January

Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels 3

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jl-BeR4M4c&w=560&h=315]

RELEASE DATE: 13^th January

The xx – I See You

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_oA9UmRd4I&w=560&h=315]

RELEASE DATE: January 13^th

Elbow – Little Fictions

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQl5KYiiFDI&w=560&h=315]

RELEASE DATE: 3^rd February

Lower Than Atlantic – Safe in Sound

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjHBvUFSlBA&w=560&h=315]

RELEASE DATE: 3^rd February

Jesca Hoop – Memories Are Now

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vyrwh0qRGEI&w=560&h=315]

RELEASE DATE: 10^th February

Rag ‘n’ Bone Man – Human

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3wKzyIN1yk&w=560&h=315]

RELEASE DATE: 10^th February

Ryan Adams – Prisoner

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-MgXtelSYQ&w=560&h=315]

RELEASE DATE: 17^th February

Nadia Reid - Preservation

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMKjnd8QmBk&w=560&h=315]

RELEASE DATE: 3^rd March

Sleaford Mods – English Tapas

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suK5iqVxmTE&w=560&h=315]

RELEASE DATE: 3^rd March

Laura Marling – Semper Femina

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCS4OTgaHeM&w=560&h=315]

RELEASE DATE: 10^th March

The Jesus and Mary Chain – Damage and Joy

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1adCABireXI&w=560&h=315]

RELEASE DATE: 24^th March

Nelly Furtado – The Ride

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ApPv1CFHfE&w=560&h=315]

RELEASE DATE: 31^st March

U2 – Songs of Experience

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFjcd_d2PhY&w=560&h=315]

RELEASE DATE: T.B.A.

Alice Glass – T.B.A.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8iSUekqabI&w=560&h=315]

Arcade Fire – T.B.A.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E0fVfectDo&w=560&h=315]

At the Drive-In – T.B.A.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-NYWzd7JW8&w=560&h=315]

Beck – T.B.A.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyCkhPTU13w&w=560&h=315]

Bruce Springsteen – T.B.A.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z2DtNW79sQ&w=560&h=315]

Broken Social Scene – T.B.A.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GikWha5TC94&w=560&h=315]

Charli XCX – T.B.A.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM33anTtEVE&w=560&h=315]

Chuck Berry – CHUCK

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h3tXq5pkJ8&w=560&h=315]

Father John Misty – T.B.A.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOspC5B69L4&w=560&h=315]

Gorrilaz – T.B.A.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhPaWIeULKk&w=560&h=315]

London Grammar – T.B.A.

https://play.spotify.com/album/3dt7LAPk6cqCfYWwpSqVt9

LCD Soundsystem -  T.B.A.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve9Y-dl40sQ&w=560&h=315]

Modest Mouse – T.B.A.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0ZI9vQfr4Q&w=560&h=315]

Queens of the Stone Age – T.B.A.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QetvK6ldl2s&w=560&h=315]

Royal Blood – T.B.A.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhgVu2lsi_k&w=560&h=315]

St. Vincent – T.B.A.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAdARF4rGcQ&w=560&h=315]

The Killers – T.B.A.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMbyWSGYUgc&w=560&h=315]

The National – T.B.A.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpz_gUyImhw&w=560&h=315]

The Shins – T.B.A.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzfQCsDTORM&w=560&h=315]

Vampire Weekend – T.B.A.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mDxcDjg9P4&w=560&h=315]

Zach de la Rocha – T.B.A.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLishDbwy9c&w=560&h=315]

There are a lot of great artists (and albums) there and it there will be some surprise releases and out-of-nowhere drops in the next twelve months. I am looking forward to possible new material from Queens of the Stone Age. They have said, in a statement, they were eager to crack on with an album before the end of last year – it must be in gestation right now, one would hope. Gorrilaz are rumoured to be recording new material – one suspects that is a pretty firm rumour! The three confirmed albums I am most excited about are from Elbow, Laura Marling and Sleaford Mods. That is not just me supporting the ‘home side’ but three artists whose previous work has suggested there is not only plenty of life still in them – they might be on the verge of their greatest work. Both Laura Marling (Soothing) and Elbow (Magnificent (She Says) have released tasters from the forthcoming albums. Sleaford Mods always bring fast-flowing, witty poetry about the streets, modern life and characters they dislike (pretty much everyone!). Whatever albums you are looking forward to it seems like there will be something for everyone. 2016 might have passed but with regards quality, surprise and sheer suspense…

2017 might kick 2016’s backside.