Here’s a list of 13 albums we’re looking forward to which have an expected release date sometime in the next eleven months (or so we hope). The list ranges from Jim James’ first solo effort to Phish’s twelfth, to the much-rumored but nothing-officially-announced-next albums from Tool and Daft Punk! (fingers crossed!)
13. Local Natives, Hummingbird, January 29th
If this CoS interview is any indication we may be looking at an early candidate for buzz album of the year. Taylor Rice said “We kept pushing and experimenting, trying to expand the palette of the sounds, as well as the arrangement techniques.” Can’t wait! Check out “Breakers” which was already released as a single. You can buy it on 1/29 through Amazon.
12. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: Push The Sky Away, February 19th:
This is the band’s first album since 2008 so expect a big touring year ahead (including stops at Coachella in April.) The band’s lyrical video for “Jubilee Street” already has us excited to hear the full release.
11. Superhuman Happiness, Hands, March 5th
This is the first full-length album from SHH. You can listen to a track from the album, “See Me On My Way” right now. The bands music has been labeled — “physical cinematic dance music.” We’d agree.
10. Yellowbirds, Songs From The Vanished Frontier, Date TBD
Brooklyn’s Yellowbirds are the creation of Sam Cohen and their debut album “The Color” was one of 2011’s best. If Marco Benevento is involved as he hints on his twitter account, this will be one to look out for. The album was recorded in Cohen’s new basement studio.
9. Jim James, Regions of Light and Sound of God, February 5th
Jim James first solo album already has two impressive tracks to listen to in “Know Til Now” and “A New Life”. James also just announced an extensive North American solo tour that will see him going out on the road with old pals.
8. Phish’s 12th Album – Title & Release Date TBD
This would be the bands 12th studio album. Page McConnell and Trey Anastasio have mentioned Phish will be recording this year with a new approach in mind. Usually the turnaround isn’t very long so we should expect something in ’13. The band has written just one new original (“Steam”) in the last two years. Recently Trey told American Songwriter that the band members “really want to try to bust open the door.”
7. David Bowie, The Next Day, March 11th
The albums cover is in obvious reference to “Heroes.” Let’s hope the new work is just as good. The first single has already divided critics especially those at LMB. You can read an interview on RS with Bowie’s Guitarist for the secret album sessions here.
6. The Black Keys, Title & Date TBD
Dan Auerbach has said in recent interviews that the band’s eighth album will drop sometime in 2013, so we’ll believe him. Danger Mouse has worked with them for the past three records and is rumored to again.
5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Mosquito, April 16th:
The contest for ‘Best Album Cover of the Year’ may already be over. The new disc features a song produced by LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy just in case you weren’t already interested. They were just announced as playing April’s Coachella and played some of the new songs for a lucky audience in Australia. You can pre-order already.
4. Tool, Title & Date TBD
This highly anticipated fifth album, the first since 2006, might not even come out this year but it still makes the list. The band posted in December that they were “half-way done” and also announced a performance in May at Japan’s Ozzfest. You can read the official statement from the band here.
3. The Arcade Fire, Title TBA, Late 2013
Word of new songs is few and far between since the band debuted them at a secret gig last month. AF under the fake name Les Identiks held everyone to a “don’t speak, don’t text” policy. They’ve already announced a lonely 2013 tour date, at the Kanaval Festival on February 23rd. James Murphy is confirmed as having helped produce at least three tracks already.
2. Atoms For Peace, Amok, February 25th
If the already released “Jury, Judge and Executioner” is any indication of the production style on this record we’re in for a treat. The band (consisting of Thom Yorke of Radiohead & Flea of the Chili Peppers) are set to tour behind the record too. Rumors of festival dates are dancing around the world wide web already. We wouldn’t be surprised if Atoms for Peace are a late add for Coachella. Flea is already scheduled there along with the other Chili Peppers. Stay tuned.
1. Daft Punk, Title TBA, Spring 2013
The recent news of Daft Punk signing with Columbia records has put the music world on alert. The first studio album from the duo since 2005’s Human After All is set for release in the Spring and we can only hope it’ll include a tour, whether it’s this year or next. Artists such as Paul Williams, Panda Bear, Chilly Gonzales, and Nile Rodgers have all been rumored to have collaborated on it.
Which albums are you looking forward to this year? Let us know!
