We've ranked all of our favourite albums of the year, but this list is nearly as important: It's a ranking of the most hotly anticipated albums of 2015. These are the records that will occupy our minds, iPods and turntables over the next 12 months.
Many of the 20 upcoming albums on this list have full details, including titles, release dates and lead singles. Others, however, have only been hinted at. But barring any expected delays — Grimes, we're looking at you — we should hear all of these at some point in 2015.
And considering the precedent set by Beyoncé, Thom Yorke, Skrillex and others, it's entirely possible that any of these albums without concrete details could be released at a moment's notice. Scroll down to follow along with Exclaim!'s list of the most exciting upcoming albums of the upcoming year.
Don't forget to visit our 2014 in Lists section to see more of our Year-End coverage.
Top 20 Most Anticipated Albums of 2015:
20. Disappears
Irreal
(Kranky Records)
Release Date: January 19
Chicago post-rock combo Disappears once again look to blend Krautrock and post-punk sounds on Irreal, and this latest LP has been called "a master class in texture, pace and control" — something we've already heard in preview cuts "Another Thought" and "Halcyon Days."
19. METZ
Title TBA
(Label TBA)
Release Date: TBA
In 2013, METZ told MTV that they hoped to have their sophomore album out by 2014. It didn't quite pan out like that, but we're optimistic that the Toronto noise rockers will make up for it in 2015. They've speculated that the new LP might have " sludgy, grimier tunes."
18. Siskiyou
Nervous
(Constellation Records)
Release Date: January 20
Siskiyou aren't the most famous group on this list, but they're poised to make a big statement with Nervous. Not only does it feature indie stars like Colin Stetson and Owen Pallett, but opener "Deserter" is an authoritative blend of chamber rock grandeur and unsettling folk spookiness.
17. Dan Mangan + Blacksmith
Club Meds
(Arts & Crafts)
Release Date: January 13
Dan Mangan used to be an acoustic troubadour, but now he's the leader of his band Blacksmith, and they're taking his songs in a more experimental, atmospheric direction on Club Meds. "Club Meds is about sedation," Mangan has said. "It seems like everybody else is already at the party and that life is somehow easier or more fun under the fog. But instead, it only makes people feel more alone, more dangerous, more desperate."
16. Pusha T
King Push
(Label TBA)
Release Date: TBA
Rapper Pusha T is apparently working extensively with Kanye West on his latest album, and Yeezy is even serving as executive producer. While Pusha's 2013 album My Name Is My Name had a starkly minimal aesthetic, he promised this record would "infuse more elements of music."
15. Modest Mouse
Strangers to Ourselves
(Label TBA)
Release Date: March 3
We had pretty much given up on Modest Mouse, considering how many years they've been promising a new album. But with a new single finally revealed and Strangers to Ourselves on the way, we'll finally hear what they've been working on with Krist Novoselic and Big Boi.
14. Joey Bada$$
B4.DA.$$
(Cinematic Music Group/Pro Era)
Release Date: January 20
Joey Bada$$ has been in the game for a couple of years, meaning that B4.DA.$$ is hotly anticipated. But before you get too excited, remember that Joey told Exclaim! this: "Expectations ruin everything. If people just accepted more things and expected less, we'd be in a better world."
13. Cancer Bats
Searching for Zero
(New Damage Records)
Release Date: March 10
Ontario metalcore stalwarts Cancer Bats have reportedly been through the wringer lately, enduring non-stop touring and the deaths of people close to the band. They're coming through this tough time with Searching for Zero, which is said to be "the most melodic, yet menacing Cancer Bats release."
12. Belle and Sebastian
Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance
(Matador Records)
Release Date: January 20
We normally associate Belle and Sebastian with gazing wistfully out the window or lying around with a book. But dancing? The Glaswegian indie pop legends are going in a slightly more propulsive, synth-heavy direction with their latest album, as we heard on preview track "The Party Line."
11. Björk
Title TBA
(Label TBA)
Release Date: TBA
Björk skipped out on the premiere of her film Biophilia Live back in the fall, and while this was undoubtedly a bummer for those in attendance, it was for a very good reason: the celebrated Icelandic oddball was working on her new album. At this point, what it will sound like is anyone's guess, but apparently Arca is co-producing it, so we're anticipating good things.
10. Panda Bear
Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper
(Domino Recording Company)
Release Date: January 13
Panda Bear's most famous solo work is soaked in Beach Boys-style sunshine, but the Animal Collective member is meeting the grim reaper on his latest album. Its 13 tracks mix pop prettiness with garbled, psychedelic synth squall, as we've heard on the singles "Mr Noah" and "Boys Latin."
9. Will Butler
Policy
(Merge Records)
Release Date: March 10
In Arcade Fire, Will Butler tends to play second fiddle to his frontman brother Win. But now we'll finally hear what the younger Butler has to offer with his first solo album. Policy has been referred to as "American rock and roll," which isn't a very specific description, but it'll do for now.
8. Napalm Death
Apex Predator Easy Meat
(Century Media)
Release Date: January 27
Napalm Death have more than three decades of experience under their belts, and the UK grind greats will be carrying on doing what they do best with Apex Predator Easy Meat. It was influenced by a tragic 2013 building collapse in Bangladesh, and the songs examine topics like working conditions and slave labour.
7. Grimes
Title TBA
(Label TBA)
Release Date: TBA
Canadian art-pop star Grimes' new album has already made headlines, since it was revealed that she scrapped the entire thing and started again. We know that her single "Go" isn't slated to appear, but she has indicated that some of the material draws on glam rock and "IRL" music.
6. Father John Misty
I Love You, Honeybear
(Sub Pop Records/Bella Union)
Release Date: February 10
Once known as the drummer of Fleet Foxes, Joshua Tillman is reaching new heights as Father John Misty. I Love You, Honeybear promises to be an ambitious concept album about the transformative power of love, and the songwriter said, "I am truly singing my ass off all over this motherfucker."
5. BADBADNOTGOOD & Ghostface Killah
Sour Soul
(Lex Records)
Release Date: February 17
As if BADBADNOTGOOD's outside the box take on jazz wasn't already inventive enough, the Canadian trio hooked up with Wu-Tang Clan rapper Ghostface Killah for a collaborative full-length. Record stores are going to have difficulty filing this by genre, as we can hear from "Gunshowers."
4. Viet Cong
Viet Cong
(Flemish Eye)
Release Date: January 20
Since the breakup of Women, two of the band's members have gone on to play a similarly fiery brand of post-punk with Viet Cong. Their debut Cassette earned lots of underground buzz, meaning that their self-titled LP is one of 2015's most hotly-tipped debuts. It includes the lead single "Continental Shelf."
3. Drake
Views from the 6
(Label TBA)
Release Date: Spring 2015
Thanks to Canadian rap champ Drake, we'll soon have a new soundtrack to drunk-dialling our exes at two in the morning. There's no confirmed release date, but his track "0 to 100" hinted, "We already got spring 2015 poppin,'" and we've also heard the title track.
2. Kendrick Lamar
Title TBA
(Label TBA)
Release Date: TBA
Kendrick Lamar's modern masterpiece good kid, m.A.A.d city is one of the best albums of the era, so the followup is understandably hotly anticipated. He's apparently recorded more than 40 songs, but all we've heard so far is the inspirational "i."
1. Sleater-Kinney
No Cities to Love
(Sub Pop Records)
Release Date: January 20
When Sleater-Kinney revisited their back catalogue with their recent Start Together box set, they slipped in a mysterious new seven-inch. This opened up a new chapter in the riot grrrl trio's career, as they announced their first album in a decade. So far, we've heard the songs "Bury Our Friends" and "Surface Envy."
Many of the 20 upcoming albums on this list have full details, including titles, release dates and lead singles. Others, however, have only been hinted at. But barring any expected delays — Grimes, we're looking at you — we should hear all of these at some point in 2015.
And considering the precedent set by Beyoncé, Thom Yorke, Skrillex and others, it's entirely possible that any of these albums without concrete details could be released at a moment's notice. Scroll down to follow along with Exclaim!'s list of the most exciting upcoming albums of the upcoming year.
Don't forget to visit our 2014 in Lists section to see more of our Year-End coverage.
Top 20 Most Anticipated Albums of 2015:
20. Disappears
Irreal
(Kranky Records)
Release Date: January 19
Chicago post-rock combo Disappears once again look to blend Krautrock and post-punk sounds on Irreal, and this latest LP has been called "a master class in texture, pace and control" — something we've already heard in preview cuts "Another Thought" and "Halcyon Days."
19. METZ
Title TBA
(Label TBA)
Release Date: TBA
In 2013, METZ told MTV that they hoped to have their sophomore album out by 2014. It didn't quite pan out like that, but we're optimistic that the Toronto noise rockers will make up for it in 2015. They've speculated that the new LP might have " sludgy, grimier tunes."
18. Siskiyou
Nervous
(Constellation Records)
Release Date: January 20
Siskiyou aren't the most famous group on this list, but they're poised to make a big statement with Nervous. Not only does it feature indie stars like Colin Stetson and Owen Pallett, but opener "Deserter" is an authoritative blend of chamber rock grandeur and unsettling folk spookiness.
17. Dan Mangan + Blacksmith
Club Meds
(Arts & Crafts)
Release Date: January 13
Dan Mangan used to be an acoustic troubadour, but now he's the leader of his band Blacksmith, and they're taking his songs in a more experimental, atmospheric direction on Club Meds. "Club Meds is about sedation," Mangan has said. "It seems like everybody else is already at the party and that life is somehow easier or more fun under the fog. But instead, it only makes people feel more alone, more dangerous, more desperate."
16. Pusha T
King Push
(Label TBA)
Release Date: TBA
Rapper Pusha T is apparently working extensively with Kanye West on his latest album, and Yeezy is even serving as executive producer. While Pusha's 2013 album My Name Is My Name had a starkly minimal aesthetic, he promised this record would "infuse more elements of music."
15. Modest Mouse
Strangers to Ourselves
(Label TBA)
Release Date: March 3
We had pretty much given up on Modest Mouse, considering how many years they've been promising a new album. But with a new single finally revealed and Strangers to Ourselves on the way, we'll finally hear what they've been working on with Krist Novoselic and Big Boi.
14. Joey Bada$$
B4.DA.$$
(Cinematic Music Group/Pro Era)
Release Date: January 20
Joey Bada$$ has been in the game for a couple of years, meaning that B4.DA.$$ is hotly anticipated. But before you get too excited, remember that Joey told Exclaim! this: "Expectations ruin everything. If people just accepted more things and expected less, we'd be in a better world."
13. Cancer Bats
Searching for Zero
(New Damage Records)
Release Date: March 10
Ontario metalcore stalwarts Cancer Bats have reportedly been through the wringer lately, enduring non-stop touring and the deaths of people close to the band. They're coming through this tough time with Searching for Zero, which is said to be "the most melodic, yet menacing Cancer Bats release."
12. Belle and Sebastian
Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance
(Matador Records)
Release Date: January 20
We normally associate Belle and Sebastian with gazing wistfully out the window or lying around with a book. But dancing? The Glaswegian indie pop legends are going in a slightly more propulsive, synth-heavy direction with their latest album, as we heard on preview track "The Party Line."
11. Björk
Title TBA
(Label TBA)
Release Date: TBA
Björk skipped out on the premiere of her film Biophilia Live back in the fall, and while this was undoubtedly a bummer for those in attendance, it was for a very good reason: the celebrated Icelandic oddball was working on her new album. At this point, what it will sound like is anyone's guess, but apparently Arca is co-producing it, so we're anticipating good things.
10. Panda Bear
Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper
(Domino Recording Company)
Release Date: January 13
Panda Bear's most famous solo work is soaked in Beach Boys-style sunshine, but the Animal Collective member is meeting the grim reaper on his latest album. Its 13 tracks mix pop prettiness with garbled, psychedelic synth squall, as we've heard on the singles "Mr Noah" and "Boys Latin."
9. Will Butler
Policy
(Merge Records)
Release Date: March 10
In Arcade Fire, Will Butler tends to play second fiddle to his frontman brother Win. But now we'll finally hear what the younger Butler has to offer with his first solo album. Policy has been referred to as "American rock and roll," which isn't a very specific description, but it'll do for now.
8. Napalm Death
Apex Predator Easy Meat
(Century Media)
Release Date: January 27
Napalm Death have more than three decades of experience under their belts, and the UK grind greats will be carrying on doing what they do best with Apex Predator Easy Meat. It was influenced by a tragic 2013 building collapse in Bangladesh, and the songs examine topics like working conditions and slave labour.
7. Grimes
Title TBA
(Label TBA)
Release Date: TBA
Canadian art-pop star Grimes' new album has already made headlines, since it was revealed that she scrapped the entire thing and started again. We know that her single "Go" isn't slated to appear, but she has indicated that some of the material draws on glam rock and "IRL" music.
6. Father John Misty
I Love You, Honeybear
(Sub Pop Records/Bella Union)
Release Date: February 10
Once known as the drummer of Fleet Foxes, Joshua Tillman is reaching new heights as Father John Misty. I Love You, Honeybear promises to be an ambitious concept album about the transformative power of love, and the songwriter said, "I am truly singing my ass off all over this motherfucker."
5. BADBADNOTGOOD & Ghostface Killah
Sour Soul
(Lex Records)
Release Date: February 17
As if BADBADNOTGOOD's outside the box take on jazz wasn't already inventive enough, the Canadian trio hooked up with Wu-Tang Clan rapper Ghostface Killah for a collaborative full-length. Record stores are going to have difficulty filing this by genre, as we can hear from "Gunshowers."
4. Viet Cong
Viet Cong
(Flemish Eye)
Release Date: January 20
Since the breakup of Women, two of the band's members have gone on to play a similarly fiery brand of post-punk with Viet Cong. Their debut Cassette earned lots of underground buzz, meaning that their self-titled LP is one of 2015's most hotly-tipped debuts. It includes the lead single "Continental Shelf."
3. Drake
Views from the 6
(Label TBA)
Release Date: Spring 2015
Thanks to Canadian rap champ Drake, we'll soon have a new soundtrack to drunk-dialling our exes at two in the morning. There's no confirmed release date, but his track "0 to 100" hinted, "We already got spring 2015 poppin,'" and we've also heard the title track.
2. Kendrick Lamar
Title TBA
(Label TBA)
Release Date: TBA
Kendrick Lamar's modern masterpiece good kid, m.A.A.d city is one of the best albums of the era, so the followup is understandably hotly anticipated. He's apparently recorded more than 40 songs, but all we've heard so far is the inspirational "i."
1. Sleater-Kinney
No Cities to Love
(Sub Pop Records)
Release Date: January 20
When Sleater-Kinney revisited their back catalogue with their recent Start Together box set, they slipped in a mysterious new seven-inch. This opened up a new chapter in the riot grrrl trio's career, as they announced their first album in a decade. So far, we've heard the songs "Bury Our Friends" and "Surface Envy."
