Ten albums we can't wait to hear in 2016

Image: HAIM

Last year gave us a rich year for music with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Sufjan Stevens, Courtney Barnett and Foals all furnishing us with big albums to provide the moments of our year. Whether sound-tracking our commute or hearing them performed at a festival, 2015 invariably delivered. We've got a feeling it can only get better.

As an indicator of how much we've got to look forward to, prospective efforts from The Strokes, Gorillaz, James Blake and Bon Iver didn't even make the cut. So, in alphabetical order, here's the ten LPs we are desperate to hear in 2016.

Bonobo 

Photo: Bonobo

Following up on his ethereal spine buster The North Borders, Simon Green aka Bonobo has confirmed he'll release his sixth studio album this year. 

It's been a while since we could submerge our senses in the sweet expansive sounds and godly atmospherics of the producer, so it could come sooner rather than later in the year.

Details are yet to be unveiled, although it is expected to drop on electronic imprint Ninja Tune if you happen to know a guy who works there. Release date: N/A.

Ben Smith     

David Bowie Blackstar

The fascination with Bowie is perpetual, fuelled by the elusiveness that surrounds his album releases and the complete lack of his live performances.

The first taste we got of the avant-garde album was the title-track 'Blackstar' which featured within the credits for Sky Atlantic's The Last Panthers, before the unveiling of the full ten minute record. 

After listening to the haunting lyrics and hypnotising drum patterns of the title track, plus the mellow seductiveness of second single 'Lazarus', it sounds like Blackstar could be the Bowie album we've all been waiting for. His gift to us is due to arrive on his 69th birthday. Release date: Friday 8th January.

Becca Frankland

Frank Ocean Boys Don't Cry

Photo: Reddit

Another artist who has failed to deliver a much mooted new LP is Frank Ocean, a follow up to 2012's truly fantastic channel ORANGE.

Provisionally titled Boys Don't Cry and initially slated for an autumn release, the lead up has been tantalisingly elusive as the ethereal quality Frank brings to his music. Release date: N/A.

Jimmy Coultas

HAIM 

Photo: Haim

Our office stereo was owned by Haim's Days are Gone back in 2013, and despite heavy rotation, we never tired of the sisters' irresistible brand of eighties flavoured pop rock.

Back in October, they revealed that they were working on the follow up on their Beats1 Radio Show, but that's about as much as we have in the way of details.

If it's anywhere near as good as their debut though, and it's more than likely with producer Ariel Rechtshaid once again at the controls - we're in for another fantastic pop record. Release date: N/A.

Mike Warburton

HINDS Leave Me Alone

This all girl four-piece from Madrid are just waiting to explode all over your 2016 playlists. Similar to when that god awful U2 album cropped up in everyone's iTunes, only you'd definitely keep this.

Stringing buoyant lo-fi guitar melodies, HINDS possess it all in one scuzzy charming package: a raucous live presence, reams of attitude and a motto that translates to "Our Shit, Our Rules".  Release date: Friday 8th January. 

Ben Smith

Jack Garratt Phase  

Having already unveiled multiple singles and EPs, the London based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist's time to swoop onto anyone and everyone's radar is with this release.

It's not often that an artist is able to pair both a simply exquisite vocal with supreme beat making talents - usually one or the other. Jack possesses both, creating emotive and awe-inspiring electronic soundscapes that merge genre boundaries expansively. Release date: Friday February 19th.  

BS

Kanye West Swish

no offense to anyone… I’m asking everyone DON’T ASK ME FOR ANYTHING TILL AFTER I’M FINISHED WITH MY ALBUM

— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) December 13, 2015

Fathering a saint, running for presidency, headlining Glastonbury and bum rushing Beck's Grammys acceptance speech - Kanye has been busy in 2015. One thing he hasn't pulled off though is releasing his seventh studio album Swish, something we've been waiting on excitedly all year.

'All Day' showed early signs of a more aggressive hip hop outlook whilst he released possible snippets of what it would sound like on Soundcloud, but in a year when My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy turned five we've really wanted a full long player. Lets hope when it finally drops in 2016 it doesn't disappoint. Release date: N/A.

JC

The Last Shadow Puppets 

The boys are back. After seven long years, Alex Turner and Miles Kane are returning as The Last Shadow Puppets. It's been a long time coming since their dazzling, mercury prize nominated debut and they've been teasing us with a link up ever since.

After drummer and producer James Ford let it slip in a radio interview, they've released a series of album trailers including Miles Kane busting out as the "nature boy" - Ric Flair. Release date: N/A.

BS

Rihanna Anti

Photo: Rihanna

The undisputed rebel princess of pop has been keeping details of her eighth studio albums under wraps - including the release date. With rumours circulating that Drake, Eminem and Lady Gaga could be collaborating with Ri Ri on Anti, we're sure that this will be one of the biggest pop albums of 2016.

Rihanna is embarking on the Anti World tour with the album in February, with Big Sean and The Weeknd set to support her. Check out whether Rihanna is stopping by you for her Anti World tour. Release date: N/A.

BF

The xx 

Photo: The XX

What we do know is that the gang have been working hard on the release in the Texas, although further details are yet to be unearthed. Jamie plugged the gap between this and their second album Coexist with his solo debut In Colour this year.

For many they'll be spinning his sun blushed jam with Popcaan into the new year and beyond, but it's the combo of Jamie's beat stitching, Romy's vocal and Oli pinging the bass that we are craving most. Release date: N/A.    

BS

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