Bonobo : Migration
Bonobo – the lauded project from Simon Green – is slated to release his forthcoming record, Migration, on January 13. A follow-up from his acclaimed fifth album, The North Borders, the record promises to be a musical cocktail of world music samples, jazz and afrobeat, all filtered through his unique electronic viewpoint.
Queens Of The Stone Age
Josh Homme and his motley crew of rockers will return this year with their long-awaited sequel to 2013’s …Like Clockwork. While nothing is set in stone yet, Mastodon’s Troy Sanders (who plays in Gone Is Gone with QOTSA shredder Troy Van Leeuwen) recently alluded to a forthcoming release telling Rolling Stone that “Queens of the Stone Age, Mastodon and At the Drive-In have all been recording”. Here’s hoping for something special.
Lorde
It’s been a while since we’ve heard new music from Lorde, but landing a slot on the certifiably huge Coachella, Bonnaroo and Governors Ball lineups mean that she’s raring to go in 2017. Her worldwide hit Royals took over the airwaves in 2013, and since then she’s toured rigorously while keeping a relatively low profile. According to this Twitter post, the upcoming record looks to be in its finishing stages.
listen to the record on these every day. wanna hear it exactly how you will pic.twitter.com/R5Ove8g94z
— Lorde (@lorde) November 15, 2016
Ryan Adams: Prisoner
Mr Feelings himself – AKA alt-country and rock troubadour Ryan Adams – is set to release his new album Prisoner on February 17. Written in the wake of a tumultuous divorce, lead single Do You Still Love Me? promises a hard-rocking ’80s sheen that follows on from 2014’s self-titled effort and his Taylor Swift-meets-The Smiths cover album.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: Flying Microtonal Banana along with four other records
Australian psych legends King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizzard are releasing a slew of new records this year, because of course they are. You already know that they’re the most productive band in the country. Recently speaking with Beat, they discussed their plans to release five records this year – kicking things off with Flying Microtonal Banana out Friday February 24.
“At this point, we have a record that we’re recording with Mild High Club,” said King Gizz’s Stu Mackenzie. “That’s going to be a pretty chill, jazzy, groove record. We’ve started doing some demos for that, and that’ll probably be the loosest record. We have two records that are kind of linked – one more or less leads on from Nonagon, although it’s a little moodier and isn’t as relentless. The other one is different again – we’re getting into territory that we’ve never even thought of before.
The Shins
OG indie pop stalwarts The Shins are due to release a new album, spearheaded by lead track Dead Alive. According to reports, the record will be the group’s most expansive sounding yet – exploring cinematic arrangements akin to The Beach Boys.
Arcade Fire
Another 2000s indie favourite, Arcade Fire are returning to the fray with a new album rumoured for this year. According to drummer Jeremy Gara, the recording process is complete with the group finalising mixing and tracklisting as we speak.
At The Drive-In
Fresh from announcing a comprehensive North American tour, At The Drive-In recently unleashed the explosive track, Governed by Contagions – their first new cut in close to 20 years. Even though 2016 saw them pull the plug on a run of shows due to health concerns, they’re expected to return to the masses with new material in a long awaited follow-up to 2000’s Relationship of Command. Slated for release on Rise Records, it boasts production from guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Sigur Rós collaborator Rich Costey.
Fleet Foxes
Rising from the ashes of their 2011 album, Helplessness Blues, Fleet Foxes are due to return to our ears armed with brand new music. As an added bonus, frontman Robin Pecknold essentially confirmed an Australian tour due for May – meaning Aussie audiences will be some of the first to hear the group’s newfound sound.
Mac DeMarco
Everyone’s favourite goofball looks like he’ll be bringing a brand new record to our earholes this year, assuming this celebratory Instagram post is anything to go by.
Gorillaz
Damon Albarn has been hibernating in the studio, crafting a brand new album under the legendary Gorillaz guise. While the record was originally slated for 2016, collaborator Jamie Hewlett – who’s referred to the album as “really fuckin’ special” – provided an update to Gorillaz fan page letting the cat out of the bag.
HAIM
According to HAIM, their sophomore LP is slated to take on a more organic sound. While touring through Europe, the lauded trio ripped through some brand new tracks that might just rear their head on their as yet untitled new record.
St. Vincent
St. Vincent – AKA Anie Clark – has said her forthcoming album will be one of her finest and most politically charged works yet. “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 – especially now that we have such high stakes from a political and geopolitical standpoint.”
The new album follows on from her 2014 self-titled LP that scored almost universal acclaim and landed her a slew of new fans. In the interim, she’s been busy developing her own line of signature guitars as well as working alongside David Lynch with his first ever Festival of Disruption.
Justin Timberlake
Truth be told, JT’s most recent effort Can’t Stop The Feeling was a hot mess. But when he wants to, the man can turn it on. Joe Riccitelli, executive vice president of RCA Records, told Billboard that we’d be getting a new Timberlake album this year. Timberlake himself discussed the new album in comparison with his last through Variety saying, “If 20/20 sounded like it literally surrounds your entire head, this stuff feels more like it just punches you between the eyes.”
Charli XCX
In October last year, Charli XCX released the mesmerising pop banger After The Afterparty. By her own account, the upcoming album is set to follow suit by diving headfirst into pop hooks and electronica.
Spoon: Hot Thoughts
Spoon are back with a brand new album loosely slated for release in March, titled Hot Thoughts. Recently, the group debuted new material at a secret show in their hometown of Austin.
Frank Ocean
Ha, you wish. Check back come 2027.
James Di Fabrizio is the Editor of Beat Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter at @jdifabrizio.
Image designed by Michael Cusack.
