2017 is here and after a lackluster first week of releases, things are about to heat up this Friday. The year is already shaping up to have some excellent music released and we are here to prep you for some of the biggest albums of the year. Some of these have release dates already, others are likely to emerge in 2017 and a few are speculation based on a few clues. Below are our 17 most anticipated albums of 2017 including Katy Perry, HAIM, Drake, Lorde and many more.
1. The xx - I See You (Release Date - Jan. 13)
The xx have not released an album in five years and after a long recording process that has put them in Iceland, London, Los Angeles, New York and Texas, the LP is done and will be released in two days on Jan. 13. Fans have already been salivating over their first single "On Hold" and "Say Something Loving." Jamie xx stole the show in 2015. Now it is time for the whole band to take it back together with I See You.
2. Big Sean - I Decided (Release Date - Feb. 3)
Big Sean took another step with his 2015 album Dark Sky Paradise towards his ascent into the upper echelon of rap. There is still work to do for the Detroit rapper, but he has been hard at work over the past year, putting out a joint album with Jhene Aiko and recording I Decided. The two singles have created substantial buzz for I Decided, which will be released on Feb. 3. It will be another measuring stick to see if he can compete with the excellent hip-hop releases from 2016.
3. The Shins - Heartworms (Release Date - March 3)
It has been five years since fans have heard an album from The Shins and their wait is about to end. The group unveiled all of the details for the LP about one week ago including the release date and tracklist. The two singles "Dead Alive" and "Name For You" keep their winning streak rolling as the follow-up to Port of Morrow arrives on March 3.
4. Drake - More Life (Release Date - TBA)
Drake dominated 2016. Views was the gift that kept on giving with chart-topping singles and streaming records that seemed to fall with every new release. He has already previewed a few songs from the upcoming project that promises to be a collection of tracks with some of his OVO Sound friends. Whenever there is new Drake, people will listen. The world is ready for More Life.
5. Lorde - TBA (Release Date - Expected In The Spring)
Lorde first burst onto the scene as a 16 year old with her song "Royals." That brought her around the world and made her a reluctant and left field pop star. A little more mature at 20, she left a long Facebook note before the New Year announcing that she had a new album completed and was ready to release it in the spring.
6. Gorillaz - TBA (Release Date - TBA)
The Gorillaz have been teasing a new album for almost the past year. Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett have continued to build around the legend of Noodles with illustrations, but have not released any new music from this forthcoming album. A rumored list of collaborators includes Massive Attack, Snoop Dogg and Vic Mensa, so expect something excellent from the group.
7. Arcade Fire - TBA (Release Date - Expected In The Spring)
Last year, Will Butler announced that the group's next album would arrive sometime this spring. That timeline seems to be more accurate after recent statements by drummer Jeremy Gara that said they were in the very final stages of the album and it should come out this year.
8. Katy Perry - TBA (Release Date - TBA)
Her manager in 2015 originally stated that an album would ready in 2016. That clearly didn't happen. She was a vocal advocate for Hilary Clinton on the campaign trail, but a few snippets teased on Snapchat show that there is some new music on the way. 2013's Prism was about as dominant as you could get with singles from an album in a year. "Rise" was a bit more serious, but one can always expect plenty of hits from Perry.
9. HAIM - TBA (Release Date - TBA)
Since their breakout debut album Days Are Gone was released in 2013, the California sisters have been touring the globe playing festivals and collaborating with artists in hip-hop, pop and dance. Their next album will avoid all of that, though they do promise something that fans aren't expecting and haven't heard from them yet.
10. Jay Z - TBA (Release Date - TBA)
There isn't that much information on an upcoming project from Jay Z, who is notoriously tight-lipped about any music he is working on. He has appeared on a few features recently, but after Beyoncé's Lemonade, there was speculation of a joint-album and possibly one of his own. Jermaine Dupri said that an LP was finished and Vic Mensa said he heard some new material, so it is possible that 2017 sees the release of a new Jay Z album.
11. Major Lazer - Music Is The Weapon (Release Date - TBA)
Diplo is always hyping up new projects. He has talked about potential collaborations with Sia, The Weeknd and PartyNextDoor, in addition to already released smash hit "Cold Water" with Justin Bieber & MØ for the next Major Lazer album, tentatively titled Music Is The Weapon. The group helped change the sound of dance pop, so expect something that will keep things moving forward once again when new music arrives from Major Lazer in 2017.
12. LCD Soundsystem - TBA (Release Date - TBA)
LCD Soundsystem stormed back into music last year with a series of major festival gigs and concerts. They had originally retired in 2011, but got the itch to come back in 2016. The band hasn't hinted at much in terms of new music, but it has been assumed they would release an album during this reunion and at the end of 2016 they canceled some shows because of recording. Maybe an album arrives in 2017?
13. Queens Of The Stone Age - TBA (Release Date - TBA)
It has been four years since the band's 2013 LP ...Like Clockwork. Each member does their own thing in between cycles, but in a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Mastodon's Troy Sanders let it slip that QOTSA has a new album coming in 2017. There are no further details, but get excited for a new project.
14. Justin Timberlake - TBA (Release Date - TBA)
JT is a busy man in between films, music and his other personal projects. It has been four years since he released the 20/20 Experience and the stars are aligning for a new album in 2017. In interviews he has talked about working on new music and after the success of "Can't Stop The Feeling," it is expected 2017 will see another JT album.
15. U2 - Songs Of Experience (Release Date - TBA)
2014's Songs of Innocence left a bad taste in fan's mouths with its bungled rollout that automatically downloaded the song onto people's iPhones. In 2017 they will look to redeem themselves not only with the 30th anniversary tour of The Joshua Tree, but also a new album. They have reportedly worked with some high-profile producers and have written some personal, powerful songs.
16. Depeche Mode - Spirit (Release Date - Expected in The Spring)
The legendary electro-pop group announced at a press conference at the end of 2016 that they were ready to release a new album Spirit in the spring of 2017. They barely missed out on being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, so this won't be a victory lap for them, but thus far the band has still shown they have their touch on writing catchy songs. With James Ford of Simean Mobile Disco on production, this will be something to dance to.
17. St. Vincent - TBA (Release Date - TBA)
After releasing one of critics' favorite albums in 2014, St. Vincent is prepping another new LP for release sometime later this year. "I think it'll be the deepest, boldest work I've ever done," she told Guitar World. "I feel the playing field is really open for creative people to do whatever you want, and that risk will be rewarded." Get excited.
