By: Alex Duck
Coming from a collaboration of some very literate and well versed audiophiles, we have compiled a list of upcoming 2014 album releases that should be a must have before 2015 rolls around. 2014 has already been a big year for music, especially in the indie and hip-hop world. However, we found no real thread in great albums being released this year. This kind of trans-genre success is comforting to all of the creative artists out there losing faith in the business. Artists like the tUnE-yArDs, Phantogram, and even Childish Gambino and Miley Cyrus have taken on a second wind this album year reinvigorating their respective genres with successful long overdue albums. Despite more disappointing albums from otherwise superstars like Ed Sheeran’s “X”, and Avenged Sevenfold’s “Hail to the King”, 2014 has ushered in and spoiled new artists like Sam Smith, Echosmith, Chvrches, Bastille, Chainsmokers, Martin Garrix and even artists like Lorde who owe 2014 for their biggest year yet.
So here is the list of upcoming albums that are essential to your future collection.
Caribou- Our Love
Release Date: October 6th
Alternative electro fans have probably been anticipating this Dan Snaith synth masterpiece. Although I can’t promise a “masterpiece” per say, the sexy teaser for this fifth album leaves me very positive for October 6th.
Banks- Goddess
Release Date: September 8th
So I fell in love with the ambient R&B music off of the London EP. Recent singles have come from Jillian Banks out of Los Angeles such as “Brain” and “Beggin For Thread”. After she released her Vevo lyric video for Goddess, she had already topped herself in only 4 minutes and 1 second.
Frank Ocean- Unknown
Unknown
Alright so this is more of a hunch, so bare with me. Separate from OFWGKTA Frank Ocean has been spending summer jamming Channel Orange at various music festivals around the country. Frank Ocean, much like his celebrity counterparts have taken to social media commenting on the crisis is Ferguson, Missouri, however, on his Tumblr, he did slip a subtle afterword about a possible debut by the end of the year. Fingers crossed!
Alt-J - This is All Yours
Release Date: September 22nd
Lead singer Gus Unger- Hamilton’s quote pretty much says it all, “We pretty much learned from the reaction of the first record that we could get away with whatever we wanted musically.” After releasing two tracks from This is All Yours: “Hunger of the Pine” and “Every Other Freckle” anticipation for this mega-experimental album has blown up on almost every indie blog on the inter-webs
Cody Joe Tillman and the Wicked Truth - (Self Titled)
Release Date: September 23rd
So my bias comes into play here, but its ok, thats what blogging is all about.
“Showcasing a musical fusion of Jazz, Funk, Blues, Texas Country, and Alternative Rock, Cody Joe Tillman & The Wicked Truth is weaving a new sound that is sure to excite the masses hungry for a fresh listening experience.” Pretty enticing description eh? He is recording this album in my hometown of Houston, TX, in my childhood candy shop, the historical SugarHill Studios. This album features great Houston and Texas talent, such as Glen Ackerman on bass and even Chet Roberts and Greg Upchurch from 3 Doors Down.
Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett- Cheek to Cheek
Release Date: September 23rd
Jazz aficionado Tony Bennett known for collaborating with artists like John Mayer, Carrie Underwood, Amy Winehouse (R.I.P) and Mariah Carey, is no stranger to taking otherwise genius pop artists into a taste of a whole new genre. However, Lady Gaga is no stranger to big band and jazz music claiming she feels more comfortable in jazz than in her usual produced pop. Lady Gaga has already sung with Tony on tracks such as “Anything Goes” and “I Can Give you Anything But Love” so this album will just be the icing on the cake. Tony Bennett was not short on compliments on this young diva, saying “She’s the biggest. I’ll tell you, I never met anyone with more talent than that lady.”
Interpol- El Pintor
Release Date: September 9th
Since the bands hiatus in 2011, I personally believed I had seen the last of this band. However, when all these track teasers came out for El Pintor I had discovered a new and reenergized Interpol. Black cover art and studio videos, this might be the best work yet.
Vance Joy- Dream Life Away
Release Date: September 9th
Vance Joy let his teaser video speak for itself. Buy this album, I am sure none of us will be disappointed.
Kendrick Lamar- TBA
Release Date: TBA
Alright, sorry again. Another hunch. After subtle tweets and studio logs, I refuse to believe Kendrick is just “chilling” in the studio with Dr. Dre, Tae Beast and Sounwave. After being featured on Flying Lotus’ new album (which will also appear on this list) I think Kendrick has something big in the works.
Flying Lotus - You’re Dead
Release Date: October 3rd
Flying Lotus released a complete track listing, with songs with excited collaborations from Snoop Dogg, Captain Murphy and Kendrick Lamar. My hip-hop specialist John Griffin believes this release will change hip-hop. The teaser video exhibits all of the music without lyrics from the whole album. Buckle up, the world has not heard hip hop like this.
TV On the Radio- Seeds
Release Date: November 18th
It has been 3 years since the bands last album after the death of their bassist. With lead singer Tunde Adebimpe view “Let’s make a couple of songs and see what happens.” Enough said.
Eminem - Shady XV
Release Date: November 28th
If I say this sucks, you are still going to buy it anyway.
Foo Fighters Sonic Highways
Release Date: November 10th
This isn’t like any of the other albums on this list. Foo Fighters made the jump over to film in their new HBO album series Sonic Highways. Dave Grohl had this to say in the teaser, “Doing something to make it new. You can tie all of these people and places together with these sonic highways. This is a musical map of America." They recorded in 8 different historical studios all around the world. This airs on HBO on November 10th.
-BONUS ROUND-
2014 Albums You Shouldn’t Buy and Ones You Should Delete
Wiz Khalifa- Blacc Hollywood
Wiz never seemed to earn the right to be a respected rapper. One of his biggest “hits” “Black and Yellow” was voted the worst song of 2011 by NPR. Although I think Blacc Hollywood is a musical improvement for Wiz, it still is bland and lacks any musical progression. The fact that he can rhyme “Uh-Uh” with “Uh-Uh” 18 times is a phenomenon. A Hip-hop album is not supposed to put you to sleep at a house party.
Foster the People- Supermodel
This upsets me to put here. Foster the People has definitely hit a steep decline after Torches. I had the chance to see them at a few different festivals this summer and I found myself walking away disappointed every time. I wanted so badly to fall in love with them live, even if their records were weak. Unfortunately they were always subpar.
Coldplay- Ghost Stories
The amount of hype over this album made the let down even worse. Tired lyrics, underwhelming song construction. I feel like Coldplay completely undershoots the bar that they continue to lower for themselves.
Taylor Swift- 1989
Apparently Taylor feels as if she has to compete with artists like Ariana Grande and Jessie J. The addition of MIDI brass instruments and hip hop beats turned a once genre controlling artist to a conformist who now has to compete with artists who’s songs sound exactly the same to hers.
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