We are now at the end of the first quarter of the year, meaning releases are being announced almost every week. I like to make lists to keep updated with all albums that I’m looking forward to, and I thought it’d be fun to share some albums and projects from artists that I’m keeping up with!
Harry Styles - Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally. Release Date: March 6
After Harry’s House won Album of the Year at the 2023 GRAMMYs, beating out Beyonce’s RENAISSANCE and Adele’s 30--- a decision I still revisit like a personal grievance--- I needed Harry Styles’ next era to prove that he actually had the musical stylings to stand beside them. He had to do something innovative and interesting. Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally. at least suggests that he knows there is an assignment to understand. “Aperture” is an "LCD Soundsystem-esque" club dance-pop song that genuinely punches. Yes, it’s repetitive. Yes, he’s still doing the vague, abstract, “lights-feelings-colors-random noun” lyrics thing that he refuses to let go. But the song shows a sonic pivot away from the beach-pop acoustic tracks and to the anxious dance floor. At the end of the day, Styles is a star that is here to stay. And I am seated for whatever he delivers.
RAYE - THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. Release Date: March 27
RAYE returns with her second studio album, THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE., fresh off her hit single "WHERE IS MY HUSBAND?", a song that is jazzy, chaotic and unhinged. I am so excited to see what more she has to offer after a GRAMMY nomination and honorary win. My expectations are high.
Robyn - Sexistential Release Date: March 27
Swedish-pop phenomenon, Robyn, is back with her ninth studio album, Sexistential. This music sounds free, electric and dance-floor ready. It’s hard to ignore the post-BRAT influence of these singles. "Talk To Me" is instant pop perfection, with its Max Martin cowriting and insanely catchy innuendos. The title track is a humorous electro-rap song about her IVF experience and motherhood. There’s a line where her doctor asks Robyn who her dream donor would be, to which she replies, "Adam Driver", who the doctor mixes up with Adam Sandler. It’s unserious. It’s fun. It’s pop music, baby. And Robyn is here to save us. Check out the performance on Colbert, here.
Slayyyter - WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA Release Date: March 27
How can you not stan? Slayyyter is building an entire cinematic world for her third studio record, WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA, where she is her messiest, most chaotic, subversive and free. If you like insane pop hooks, blown-out electro-pop production and screaming women, you need to gear up for this record. Check out the music videos for "CRANK" and "DANCE…"!
MUNA - Dancing on the Wall Release Date: May 8
MUNA is back for their fourth studio record, their second on Phoebe Bridgers’ record label, Saddest Factory Records. The formula sticks: Great, queer, electro-pop with honest vulnerable lyrics. What more could you want in a pop record?
Bleachers - everyone for ten minutes Release Date: May 22
I say this with affection and mild terror: I’m scared. Bleachers’ loudest lead single yet, "you and forever" is another towering ode to Jack Antonoff’s wife, Margaret Qualley. It is thrilling, theatrical and maximalist.
Madonna - Confessions on a Dance Floor Part 2
Confessions on a Dance Floor is arguably Madonna’s best album, and it is one of the best pop albums released in the last 25 years, so to hear that she’s doing a sequel is exciting! It’ll be interesting to see if post-Super Bowl Madonna can recapture some of its greatness.
Lana Del Ray - Stove
Just in the last three weeks, we have been getting update after update. So, here’s what we know about this release. After three years of teasing, title changes, pre-releases and shows, Lana has confirmed that her long-awaited tenth studio album, Stove, will be coming...
"Soon...vinyl takes three months, so you have three months plus two weeks...it could be give or take a little bit less than that,” said Lana in an Instagram story announcing a new single, “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter”. It’s a trippy, folk, love song about how she’s evolved since marriage, and that she’s not skilled with an oven.
This new single leans a bit more on the southern-gothic tinged side. Very early Lana, very Ethel Cain. Either way, I am here for it. Whenever it happens. If it does. Please, Queen Mother.
"White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter" is out now.