For music fans, there was lots to love, or at least be entertained by, in 2024. While we can’t guarantee we’ll see another diss war get so heated that the loser threatens a lawsuit over it, there’s one thing we can promise heading into 2025: Plenty of great records are on the way. We’ve got a Beatle and a Beach Boy going country, throwback jams from Franz Ferdinand and Tunde Adebimpe, more lovely electronic work from FKA Twigs and Panda Bear, and a bustling rumor mill of potential releases. In most cases, artists in the indie, hip-hop, pop, and country lanes are simply refusing to let the current state of the world stop them from letting out a roar and having a good time. If you want to join in on the fun, here’s what to look forward to.
January
Ethel Cain, Perverts (January 8)
While Cain’s 2022 standout, “American Teenager,” echoed ’80s arena rock, Perverts’s lead single, “Punish,” hews to the ambient end of The Downward Spiral, made far less gloomy by the tender resonance of Cain’s vocals.
Franz Ferdinand, The Human Fear (January 10)
If you’re aiming to start the year on an inspiring note, belting out “Don’t stop feeling audacious — there’s no one to save us / So just carry on” with Franz Ferdinand might help.
Ringo Starr, Look Up (January 10)
A lot of stars have recently gone country, but Ringo Starr has been a devotee since his pre-Beatles days. He proves his love for the Nashville sound on Look Up, which features songwriting help from T Bone Burnett and focuses on the three pillars of the genre: “The wife’s left, the dog’s dead, and there’s no money for the jukebox.”
Mac Miller, Balloonerism (January 17)
Mac Miller’s Balloonerism was a project beloved by the late rapper and long sought by his fans. Recorded in a week of sessions around the 2014 release of Faces, Miller had commissioned artwork and toyed with the track list up until his 2018 death.
The Weather Station, Humanhood (January 17)
On their seventh album, Tamara Lindeman, the mastermind behind Toronto’s the Weather Station, confronts the uncertainty of everything with kaleidoscopic instrumentation and lyrics that give life to the chaos she feels. “Why can’t I get off this floor / Think straight anymore?” Lindeman asks on the flute-heavy single “Neon Signs.”
Kane Brown, The High Road (January 24)
Kane Brown is poised to have one of the top country releases of the year. His fourth album, The High Road, includes single “Miles on It” with DJ-producer Marshmello, which already hit No. 1 on the genre’s airplay chart.
Central Cee, Can’t Rush Greatness (January 24)
If you’re not familiar with Central Cee, the 26-year-old is already one of the most successful U.K. rappers of all time. But only now is Cench finally releasing an official album. Expect to learn some slang that you absolutely shouldn’t be using.
FKA Twigs, Eusexua (January 24)
FKA Twigs has found a new source of inspiration. While filming the forgettable remake of The Crow in Prague, she fell in love with the city’s techno scene; its sound and spirit imbue her third official album, Eusexua.
The Weeknd, Hurry Up Tomorrow (January 31)
The Weeknd is … over? Aspiring actor and pop megastar Abel Tesfaye has suggested as much, saying this new album will both conclude the After Hours–Dawn FM trilogy and be the end of him performing under his longtime moniker. The project will be accompanied by a psychological thriller of the same name starring Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan.
February
Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory, Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory (February 7)
When an artist announces a new project with a band name tacked on to the end, you might be in for the kind of music a sliver of the usual fan base will like. For Sharon Van Etten, it’s just about giving credit where it’s due: The singer-songwriter’s longtime group becomes full-time collaborators in the creation of this album.
Alessia Cara, Love & Hyperbole (February 14)
On her fourth album, the Grammys’ 2018 Best New Artist aimed for a rawer, looser vibe by recording it live in the studio with a backing band. “Dead Man” draws on the edgy soul fatale of Amy Winehouse, while “(Isn’t It) Obvious” has a jazzier feel, aided by a John Mayer guitar solo.
Bartees Strange, Horror (February 14)
Despite its title — and Bartees Strange opting for a Misfits-style “Devilock” hairdo in press photos — the Jack Antonoff–produced Horror isn’t a hardcore-metal collection about ghouls and demons. Rather, it’s a chimeric blend of alt-rock, funk, hip-hop, and dance, thematically centered on the real-life terrors that plague Strange.
Tate McRae, So Close to What (February 21)
After releasing 2023’s Think Later, Canadian star Tate McRae went right to work on album No. 3, reteaming with songwriters Ryan Tedder and Amy Allen to craft alluring, Britney Spears–inspired electropop.
Lisa, Alter Ego (February 28)
Who needs to be part of a quartet when you can just release a solo album that features five different versions of yourself? That’s the loose theme of Lisa’s first album away from Blackpink, on which she created a handful of alter egos with distinct looks and sounds, like the cheeky “Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me),” which interpolates Sixpence None the Richer.
Panda Bear, Sinister Grift (February 28)
With a name like Sinister Grift, you might expect Panda Bear’s seventh solo album to be a more challenging listen than 2019’s intricate Buoys. But Noah Lennox’s latest is an inviting affair, as heard on the psychedelic “Defense.” His Animal Collective bandmates all appear too.
Lady Gaga, LG7 (February)
So far, what we can glean from Lady Gaga’s comments about her upcoming seventh album is that it’s a return to her old pop style but also unlike anything she has ever done. The Chromatica follow-up is heralded by the darker direction of “Disease,” and Gaga said she’s exploring “the art of intensity” in her new work — which hopefully doesn’t mean “behave like Joaquin Phoenix.”
March
Japanese Breakfast (March 21)
Japanese Breakfast’s lush Jubilee was all about the search for joy, but Michelle Zauner will be doing anything but continuing down that happy road on her next record. In an interview with GQ Korea, the 35-year-old dynamo said she’s focusing more on her guitar-playing for a “gloomy” collection of songs partly inspired by aging.
Destroyer, Dan’s Boogie (March 28)
Dan Bejar has been leading Destroyer for almost 30 years, and it’s still impossible to predict which musical direction he’ll go in next. This spring, the former New Pornographer returns with his 14th album, Dan’s Boogie, his first since 2022’s Labyrinthitis.
April
Bootsy Collins, Album of the Year #1 Funkateer (April 11)
If you neglected to shake your ass all winter, Bootsy Collins is here to activate your glutes. The singular funk bassist serves as bandleader and producer on his ambitiously named 23rd album with an ace crew of collaborators that includes Snoop Dogg, Dave Stewart, and Wiz Khalifa.
May
Lana Del Rey, The Right Person Will Stay (May 21)
So much for Lasso. Lana Del Rey’s long-rumored country record is now called The Right Person Will Stay, and we’ll have to sit tight to hear just how deep into the genre she goes. So far, she has released only a snippet of the understated “Henry, Come On.”
THE TBDs
Aly & AJ, Silver Deliverer
If 2023’s Americana-leaning With Love From didn’t clue you in that the Michalka sisters have grown up from their Disney days, take a listen to their latest single, “Sirens,” an alt-rock slow burner that recounts a Sacramento mass shooting they survived in 2022.
Jane Remover, Revengeseekerz
This year marks a massive undertaking for the New Jersey artist, with the February drop of Ghostholding, the first LP from their dreamier side project Venturing, and the upcoming release of Jane’s third full-length, Revengeseekerz. The latter effort’s lead single, “JRJRJR,” is a twitchily aggressive trap-influenced jam that’ll snap you to attention like smelling salts.
Marshall Allen, New Dawn
In 2024, jazz saxophonist Marshall Allen turned 100 and went into the studio to record his first-ever solo album, New Dawn. A member of the renowned Sun Ra Arkestra since 1958 and its bandleader for 30 years, the centenarian previewed his debut record with the laid-back Latin ballad “African Sunset.”
Saba & No ID, From the Private Collection of Saba & No ID
Separated by over 20 years in age but united by their deep roots in Chicago hip-hop, it’s a shame rapper Saba and acclaimed producer No ID didn’t team up years ago. This upcoming collab started as a mixtape and seemed ready for release after 2023’s “Back in Office” and “Hue_man Nature,” but the death of Saba’s uncle led to a new, more introspective direction for the record.
Scowl
“If this Taco Bell stuff makes me a billionaire, we are opening all-ages venues.” That’s how Scowl front woman Kat Moss reacted to criticism of the band getting paid, and able to quit their day jobs, for the brand’s TV-ad use of their 2023 ripper “Opening Night.” This year, the Santa Cruz hardcore quintet signed to Dead Oceans, label home of Phoebe Bridgers and Mitski, and released the throat-shredding “Special,” on which Moss sings, “You just wanna hear my screams / Just to feel alive.”
Tunde Adebimpe
Tunde Adebimpe had quite the 2024, stealing scenes in Twisters and reuniting with TV on the Radio to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut, Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes. The front man will get a little more “me” time this year with his first solo album via Sub Pop.
The Maybes
Brian Wilson, Cows in the Pasture
In 1970, as the Beach Boys were preparing to release Sunflower, Brian Wilson decided he wanted to do a country album. Only instead of singing on it, he enlisted the band’s talent manager, Fred Vail, to handle vocals. They recorded 14 songs before Wilson abandoned the project. Now, with the help of T Bone Burnett, this once-lost LP will return with a companion documentary on its creation.
Charlie Puth
After Charlie Puth released the intentionally less-polished “Hero,” he explained that the single’s abrupt ending will have a conclusion on his next LP. “You’ll hear the actual B part of things — stuff that Taylor does really, really, really well,” he told Vulture. The Taylor he’s referencing is Ms. Swift, who gave him a much-discussed shout-out on The Tortured Poets Department.
The Clipse, Let God Sort Em Out
We expected the reunited Clipse’s fourth album before the end of ’24, though that clearly didn’t pan out. But Pusha T and Malice have confirmed that the Pharrell-produced Let God Sort Em Out is finished. Push has also emphasized that their veteran status doesn’t mean they’ve lost their fastballs.
Julien Baker and Torres
Julien Baker and Torres appear to have a full-on country album headed our way. After performing on Fallon, the duo officially released their collaborative debut, “Sugar in the Tank.” The pairing comes on the heels of Baker’s boygenius-ing and Torres’s robust 2024 LP, What an Enormous Room.
Kesha
After settling her legal battle with Dr. Luke, Kesha has gone indie, forming her own label and recording her forthcoming sixth album with full creative control. This reinvigorating freedom can be heard on her latest singles, the saucily triumphant “Joyride” and the country-adjacent “Delusional.”
Nine Inch Nails
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross scoring another movie? Eh, we’ll check it at some point. Reznor and Ross scoring one under the Nine Inch Nails moniker? Three tickets to Tron: Ares, please! Beyond soundtracking the upcoming Jeff Bridges sci-fi sequel, Reznor said he’s ready to work on a new album under his own creative auspices again, telling GQ, “I’ve been itching to do what we often do.”
The Maybe Nots
LCD Soundsystem
Seven years after their un-retirement party, American Dream, came out, LCD Soundsystem returned with the insidiously catchy cut “X-Ray Eyes” and news that a new album was coming — at some point. But in November, band overlord James Murphy said in a statement that they’re not finished recording their fifth set yet and that “anything else you hear is bullshit speculation.”
Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X has risen again. A year after single “J Christ,” it appears he has gotten some of his “provocation for provocation’s sake” urges under control. In November, he announced a new “era” (or album — we don’t know) called Dreamboy with the boastful but tame-by-his-standards party single “Light Again!,” featuring production from Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter. “We gon’ fuck up the night” he repeats on the chorus, which seems like a better use of his time than fighting with religious weirdos online.
Lizzo
Lizzo has been fairly quiet since making headlines for getting sued by former employees for harassment and a hostile work environment. Last spring, the “About Damn Time” star seemingly threatened to quit music altogether because of the strife. Then, in August, she took to Instagram to give a cryptic update on her life and career, saying, “if yall only KNEWWWW what I’ve done for my mental & emotional health in the last year … wheeeew don’t worry imma write a album about it.”
Lorde
Ever since she performed two new songs, “Silver Moon” and “Invisible Ink,” in 2023, pretty much everything we’ve learned about her follow-up to 2021’s Solar Power has come from Instagram. She has posted photos with Blood Orange’s Dev Hynes, while producer Jim-E Stack, who worked on her cover of Talking Heads’ “Take Me to the River,” shared a snap of her in the studio. Most recently, following her 28th birthday, Lorde shared a selfie with a hat on that reads “Wide hips / Tooth chipped / Skin scarred / Looking forward — She’s a grown woman.” Are they new lyrics? Apparently, we’ll have to spend even more time on IG to find out.
Playboi Carti
Playboi Carti’s follow-up to Whole Lotta Red has been in the works since 2020. This year, he will supposedly return with I Am Music. The first taste, “All Red,” finds Carti rapping in his deeper vocal register over an eerie, organ-heavy trap beat.