Now that 2012 is firmly in the rear view mirror, it’s time to look forward to what promises to be a great year for music. Already 2013 is being touted as the year guitar music makes a ‘comeback’, so all eyes are now on what albums will end up defining the year. Below I’ve listed the expected album releases of 2013 that I’m most looking forward to (in no particular order) – let me know yours in the comments at the bottom….
Arcade Fire – TBC
The Canadian rockers have been working with the LCD Soundsystem and DFA supremo James Murphy on their follow-up to the very brilliant The Suburbs. This combo is too good not to be massive in 2013.
Foals – Holy Fire
Their last album, Total Life Forever, will probably go down as a classic in time – so expectations are high for their third album. So far, it all looks promising – with lead single ‘Inhaler’ suggesting a rockier edge.
My Bloody Valentine – TBC
They’ve been teasing their very long-awaited follow-up to Loveless for months, and initially hinted it may be released at the end of 2012. It wasn’t, obviously, but it will certainly see the light of day in 2013.
Atoms For Peace – AMOK
Thom Yorke’s new hobby side project will have their first album out in 2013, and with a new Radiohead album seemingly not on the horizon this will have to do!
Factory Floor – TBC
Factory Floor have been making waves with their inventive electro production skills for years now, and their eagerly anticipated debut album is strongly rumoured for a 2013 release. They look set to dominate the summer.
Daft Punk – TBC
Currently there’s a bit of commotion over whether the French electro titans will be touring in 2013, but one thing’s for certain – the duo never fail when it comes to delivering brilliant albums.
Tyler, The Creator – Wolf
Odd Future head boy Tyler, The Creator follows up his decent debut album Goblin this year with Wolf. He’ll be aiming for a better critical and commercial response, so expect more accessible hip-hop to complement his customary edge.
Palma Violets – 180
Hip young London gunslingers Palma Violets seem to have the music press in the palm of their hands right now – so expect their debut album to be everywhere this year.
Azealia Banks – Broke With Expensive Taste
The Harlem rapper has started making waves in 2013 already, releasing new track ‘BBD’ and starting a war of words with fellow promising new rap star Angel Haze. So if nothing else, the release of her debut album is sure to be interesting.
Johnny Marr – The Messenger
The term ‘living legend’ is overused these days, but in the case of the former Smiths guitarist it’s well deserved. His first solo album proper will be full of his trademark melodic riffs.
Queens Of The Stone Age – TBC
With psych-rock very much the flavour of 2012, this year will see stoner-rock giants Queens Of Stone Age return to bring a bit more of a hard-living edge to the rock scene. The downside is Dave Grohl will be involved, but hopefully he won’t ruin it too much.
Earl Sweatshirt – Doris
Tyler’s not the only Odd Future member with an album out and a point to prove in 2013. Cult-favourite Earl Sweatshirt will be looking to recover his pre-rehab form and status with this debut album.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – TBC
It’s now four years since the New Yorker’s last album It’s Blitz! reinvented them as a modern disco-rock outfit. Could another reinvention be on the cards in 2013?
Depeche Mode – TBC
How anyone could not be even slightly excited by a return of Dave Gahan and co is beyond me. With ‘EDM’ and dubstep all over the pop landscape at the minute, it seems like a good time for a classic Depeche Mode album.
James Blake – TBC
If it’s anything like his 2011 debut, then post-dubstep kingpin James Blake’s second album will be hard to avoid in 2013.
Katy B – TBC
The dubstep princess kicked off 2013 with a promising sounding mixtape, but she’ll need a stellar second album to maintain her position – what with the likes of AlunaGeorge and Jessie Ware making strong challenges.
