FEATURE:
Go with the FLO
IN THIS PHOTO: FLO/PHOTO CREDIT: Jack Alexander
A Few of the Big Speculated Albums to Look Out For
_________
THERE is no telling what…
IN THIS PHOTO: Jennifer Lopez
albums are going to come out between now and the end of the year. We have titles and dates for some albums that are coming out in a few months. There are others that either do not have a title or a release date – or both in many cases. Whilst I would love to see a new Kate Bush album, and there are photos of Madonna in the studio working on material, nothing is confirmed there. Even though it is hard to speculate which other artists might be in the frame to release albums this year, the Official Charts website has listed a number of albums that are likely to see the light of day.
“TBC in 2023
Beyoncé - RENAISSANCE Acts ii and iii
Cardi B - TBC
Doja Cat - Hellmouth
Dove Cameron - Celestial Body
Dua Lipa - TBC
FLO - TBC
Frank Ocean - TBC
Grimes - Book 1
Hailee Steinfeld - TBC
Jade Thirlwall - TBC
James Arthur - TBC
Jennifer Lopez - This Is Me...Now
Katy Perry - TBC
Leigh-Anne Pinnock - TBC
Lil Nas X - TBC
Lorde - TBC
Loreen - TBC
MUNA - TBC
Olivia Rodrigo – TBC
Perrie Edwards - TBC
Rihanna - TBC
Romy - TBC
Rosalia - TBC
Selena Gomez - TBC
Sky Ferreira - Masochism
SZA - SOS Deluxe
Taylor Swift - 1989 (Taylor's Version)
The Cure - Songs Of A Lost World
The Killers - TBC
Travis Scott - Utopia
Zara Larsson – TBC”.
IN THIS PHOTO: Rihanna
Even though most of these are Pop albums, I know that other genres are going to see their share of speculated albums arrive. There are six or seven that I am particular interested in. I will get to them. We all have our fantasies regarding the albums that we want to see. There are so many possibilities. I would like if a follow-up to McCartney III (2020) came from Paul McCartney. You can see here some of the albums that are coming along before the end of 2023. I am particularly looking ahead to new releases from Jorja Smith, and Kylie Minogue. From the speculated and rumoured albums, it does seem likely that Dua Lipa will follow-up 2020’s Future Nostalgia soon. This GQ feature speculates about albums that might arrive. This is what they say about Dua Lipa’s potential third studio album:
“In a May 2022 interview with Vogue, Dua Lipa explained that she is “writing again and working on new music”. Then, in February, she confirmed that she’s putting the finishing touches to what she describes as her “really personal” third album. The new release could mark a new chapter for the pop maverick, whose 2020 record Future Nostalgia earned her legions of fans. “I’ve definitely grown up,” she said. “Overall, whether it’s sonically or in terms of the themes, I’ve matured. It’s like I’m coming into my power and not afraid to talk about things. It’s about understanding what I want”.
At a time when artists such as Ellie Goulding are releasing less personal albums, it seems Lipa wants to focus on something more personal and revealing than 2020’s Future Nostalgia – very much an album for lockdown and a chance to escape into something wonderful. I do feel there will be an autumn or winter release. At the time of me writing (28th May), there has been no announcement at all.
Another major artist that could be releasing an album this year is Rihanna. Her latest studio album is 2016’s ANTI. With the likely title of R9, it might be quite a personal album. Although Lift Me Up from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is unlikely to feature, I think we might get an album single soon. Rihanna recently became a mother, and she is expecting her second child. That might delay possible studio time and creativity but, in the middle of this life change, there are going to be creative juice flowing. Not to say that a ninth studio album will be a major change of lyrical direction - through I wouldn’t rule something out that is more contemplative and tumultuous. ANTI was very much about personal struggles and creative frustrations. If there is a late-2023 R9 release, it is likely a more celebratory and outward-focused album. Charting the time between ANTI and now where so much has changed for her. It will be interested to see what comes about. One reason I am so intrigued is because I am a slightly late convert to Rihanna. I have always liked her music, but I have only really got into it over the past couple of albums – so I am going to watch closely to see what comes next for her.
One album that has a title announced but no firm date is Jennifer Lopez’s This Is Me...Now. Turning back to that GQ article, and this is what they have written about a new release from one of the all-time best artists in my humble view. She always delivers something interesting and memorable:
“Jenny from the block is back, in the press, in our hearts, and soon in the charts, with her third studio album, This Is Me… Now, after making headlines this year for reuniting (and marrying) ‘00s flame Ben Affleck. Fans will know the upcoming album is a nod to their new relationship as the name references her 2002 This is Me… Then, which was inspired and dedicated to Affleck. Is that a tear running down your face or just something in your eye?”.
I have always been a fan of J. Lo/Jennifer Lopez, and it does seem like her forthcoming album is going to be very personal. Perhaps more fulfilled and personally assured than on previous albums, here is someone who has found comfort and stability after so long. Of course, there are going to be sparks and the usual Lopez hallmarks. Alongside more heartfelt numbers are going to come some big numbers that will get the body moving. Following from 2014’s slightly underwhelming A.K.A., this seems like it is going to be a return to form. Almost twenty-four years since the release of On the 6, I am imagining some elements of that debut album, but a wiser and newly-happy Lopez who has gone through a lot. A successful actor and businesswoman, this is going to be a very different artist and album to who we were introduced to in 1999!
There are a couple of albums from very different artists that are interesting for the same reason. I guess it comes down to expectation and a certain sense of waiting. The Cure’s Songs of a Lost World. In 2022, it was revealed that the album had been mixed and seemed ready to go. I am not sure if that was an optimistic timeframe, but surely this year should see the first new album from the legendary band since 2008’s 4:13 Dream. Fifteen years later, and there are rumbles of excitement within the fanbase of The Cure. Alongside that potential is a debut album that surely will arrive this year. FLO are award-winning and hugely respected group from London. Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma, and Renée Downer have said it will come in 2023, so we only sit and wait to see what might come about. I don’t really like the term ‘girl group’ as it sounds rather juvenile and a little condescending. However, if we were to describe a phenomenon that really was alive until the '90s and '00s, we do not really have the same wave of girl groups now. Some have speculated a renaissance is happening. Many new groups are coming through, but I think only FLO are standing out as a very promising example. Singles like Carboard Box have shown us what they are all about! I suspect their debut album will be eponymous. Depending on the producers and the writers they work with, it could either be ‘90s-leaning and nod to the girl groups of that era, plus artists such as Aaliyah and Missy Elliott. Maybe it will be something a bit more modern – or a combination of the two. I suspect that it will have a few collaborators in the mix too. Let’s hope that the FLO debut album does spark a new wave of fresh and promising girl groups (or a term that is less outdated!).
There are a couple of other possibilities that could occur in 2023 in terms of albums. Beyoncé is currently on tour at the moment. After releasing RENAISSANCE last year, there is this string of dates ahead of her. Maybe that will limit opportunities for recording. RENAISSANCE was subtitled Act I (or ACT 1). That suggests that at least one other album is coming that follows on from the near-career-best RENAISSANCE. It is likely the second instalment will come soon enough, but there is hope that she will release something this year. In terms of sound and direction, I am not sure whether it will be very similar to RENAISSANCE or not – though we all hope that it will have the same quality! That said, don’t rule out the possibility of a new Destiny’s Child album! Beyoncé’s dad has said he would like another Destiny’s Child album. Kelly Rowland is keen to reunite with Beyoncé and Michelle Williams. It seems that reunion is on the cards. I would love to see that! Either way, Beyoncé might well be dropping some more music before the year is over. Keep your eyes peeled! There is another potential album that I want to get to. It is from a band who have been a little quiet of late, though it does seem like there is new music brewing from them!
IN THIS PHOTO: Beyoncé/PHOTO CREDIT: Mason Poole
2019’s Nine is the most recent album from the legendary Blink-182. It has been a bit of a tumultuous time for the Californian band over the past few years. On 23rd June, 2021, Mark Hoppus confirmed that he had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and had been receiving treatment in secret for the last three months. Following that diagnosis, it was reported by sources that Hoppus had met with Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker together at his home to discuss some personal issues and Hoppus' cancer diagnosis. Happily, Hoppus was declared cancer-free later that year. Tom DeLonge had departed Blink-182 before then. His official return was announced on 11th October, 2022, alongside a world tour for the next two years The band confirmed that they were working on a new album. Matt Skiba had stepped into Blink-182 following DeLonge’s absence, but it does seem like he will be part of a new album. It is exciting to see the original line-up together and looking positively ahead! This is an album that I am really looking forward to. It does appear that there are some potentially huge albums arriving in the coming months. From confirmed titles – Jennifer Lopez etc. -, to those that are speculated and not quite clear, it is excited to imagine which of the artists above will announce a release date first. Away from the schedule calendar that we have, there are these to be confirmed albums that could come at any time. Alongside this is the possibility of surprise album releases. Even if we are halfway through the year, some of the best of the year are yet to be released. Just keep a watch out for…
SOME big announcements soon.