15 Albums To Look Forward To

1. HAIM, Women in Music Pt. III (June 26)

Originally slated for an April release, HAIM’s highly anticipated third album was one of the first high-profile albums to be pushed back due to COVID-19. The sister trio capture the global mood with the aptly titled single ‘I Know Alone’.

2. The Killers, Imploding The Mirage (TBC)

The first Killers album to be written and recorded since they left their hometown of Las Vegas, and their sixth overall, Imploding The Mirage features star-studded appearances from Lindsey Buckingham, kd lang, Weyes Blood, War On Drugs’ Adam Granduciel and more.

3. The Coronas, True Love Waits (July 31)

They might win the prize for the most unfortunately named band of 2020, but The Coronas aren’t letting that get in their way. Having recently become a trio after 13 years as a quartet, the band explore bold new territory on their new album – featuring an appearance from Gabrielle Aplin, as well as production from George Murphy (Ellie Goulding, The Specials, Mumford & Sons).

4. Phoebe Bridgers, Punisher (June 19)

After a string of supergroup projects, indie-rock wunderkind Phoebe Bridgers returns with her second solo album, following 2017’s Stranger In The Alps. She hasn’t lost her penchant for collaboration though – expect appearances from Conor Oberst, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker.

5. Various artists, AngelHeaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan & T. Rex (September 4)

U2, Elton John, Nick Cave, Lucinda Williams, Father John Misty, Gavin Friday and Kesha are just some of the stars you’ll find on the upcoming Marc Bolan tribute album. The project, made under the direction of the late great Hal Willner, coincides with Bolan’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, as well as the 50th anniversary of T. Rex’s first album.

6. Dixie Chicks, Gaslighter (TBC)

Although the release of their first new album in 14 years, produced alongside Jack Antonoff, has been pushed back indefinitely, the Texas trio continue to build up the anticipation with singles 'Gaslighter' and 'Julianna Calm Down'.

7. Rufus Wainwright, Unfollow the Rules (July 10).

Originally scheduled for April 24, Rufus Wainwright postponed his first pop album in eight years after CD and vinyl copies got “stuck in the warehouse” due to the lockdown. Rather than opting for a digital release, he told fans that he’s “an old school guy” and “the physical product is extremely important”.

8. Willie Nelson, First Rose Of Spring (July 3).

After pushing back the original release date, the country legend, who recently turned 87, returns with his 70th album in July. The 11-track project features two new original songs written by Nelson and his producer Buddy Cannon – plus covers of tracks penned by Chris Stapleton, Toby Keith and Billy Joe Shaver.

9. Sam Smith, TBC (TBC).

As the world went into lockdown, Sam Smith took to Instagram to announce that the imminent release of their third album, originally titled To Die For, just “doesn’t feel right”. Sam, who decided to “continue working on the album and make some important changes and additions”, has since revealed that the project will explore themes of gender and identity.

10. The Pretenders, Hate For Sale (July 17)

Originally scheduled for release in May, The Pretenders’ 11th studio album will be their first record to feature founding member Martin Chambers since 1999’s Viva el Amor.

11. Lady Gaga, Chromatica (TBC)

Although the new release date has yet to be confirmed, Lady Gaga’s delayed follow-up to 2016’s Joanne is likely to be one of the biggest releases of the 2020 – featuring appearances from megastars Elton John and Ariana Grande.

12. The Psychedelic Furs, Made of Rain (July 31)

Almost three full decades after the release of World Outside, The Psychedelic Furs are back. Made Of Rain, originally scheduled for release in May, is produced by current Guns N’ Roses member Richard Fortus.

13. Alanis Morissette, Such Pretty Forks in the Road (TBC)

Yet another casualty of release date reshuffling is Alanis Morissette’s first studio album in eight years, Such Pretty Forks in the Road. Originally due to be released on May 1, the hotly anticipated project has been pushed back for the time being – but she's given fans a taste of what to expect with singles ‘Reasons I Drink’, ‘Smiling’ and ‘Diagnosis’.

14. Evanescence, The Bitter Truth (TBC).

Nine years after their last album of new original music, the multi-platinum-selling alt-metal band returned this year with ‘Wasted On You’ – with the rest of the album set to be released incrementally over the course of the year. Although acknowledging that “as far as business is concerned, this is considered a terrible time to release”, lead singer Amy Lee figured that “people need music now more than ever”.

15. Kodaline, One Day At A Time (June 12)

After topping the charts with all three of their previous album, Kodaline returns to their roots on their emotion-driven fourth album. Among the highlights are 'Spend It With You' – which tells the strangely topical tale of a couple who vow to stay together as the apocalypse approaches...

Also stay tuned for albums from Alicia Keys, Bright Eyes, Saint Sister, Kehlani, Declan McKenna, Jason Isbell, Jackson Browne, Steve Earle, JyellowL, JARV IS…, and more.