Not only does a New Year represent a new lifestyle for most, but it also introduces a new year of music. From hip hop to rock to pop, many popular acts are expected to drop albums this year. The following is a list of the most anticipated albums of 2018, in a plethora of genres.
Pop
Though her last major appearance in the media was due to the tragic terrorist attack that occurred at her concert in Manchester in May, Ariana Grande has promised her fans new music in 2018. In December 2017, Grande posted a video on her instagram which featured a computer screen with a music track, and a snippet of a song. She captioned the post, “See you next year.” Her last album, Dangerous Woman, released in 2016, and debuted at Number 2 in the US and Number 1 in the UK. Grande has ventured less from traditional pop and more towards reggae and jazz influences, so her new album will evidently be a staple not of pop, but of her own.
Rap
In February 2016, Kanye West tweeted that his new album would be called “Turbo Grafx 16,” after a video game that was popular during the 90s. West’s last album, The Life of Pablo, was released to mixed reviews, with evident gospel, hip hop, and reggae influences. However, each of West’s albums have had different influences while all having a base of hip-hop, so it is not evident what his new album will sound like until a single is released. West is known for changing his album names, (The Life of Pablo was originally named So Help Me God, until it was changed to SWISH and then The Life of Pablo), so Turbo Grafx 16 is not expected to be the official name. Regardless of the name, West’s follow up to The Life of Pablo will be highly anticipated and analyzed by music and hip-hop lovers alike.
Rock
Formed in England in 1969, the band Judas Priest is not only one of the founders of heavy metal, but also one of the rare bands who has stood the test of time. Through numerous lineup changes, Judas Priest has continued to be the heavy metal pioneers that they were in the 20th century. In 2015, they announced their 18th album, Firepower, to be released on March 8th, 2017. Due to many metal legends announcing their disbandings, including Ozzy Osbourne and Slayer, the new Judas Priest album is a gift for all metal fans. Judas Priest has stayed true to their roots since their founding, and that will surely be evident in Firepower.
Alternative
The 1975 has known for being cryptic, especially when announcing new projects. Their announcement of their new album has not been any different, especially when rumors sparked that they were breaking up. This, however, was not the case. Instead of a break up, the 1975 has announced a new album called Music For Cars, due for June 2018. The 1975’s second and latest album, i like it when you sleep for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it, showed a growth from their first, self titled by adding pop and upbeat melodies. The 1975, one of the biggest modern alternative bands, will be sure to release their album to many reviews and adoring fans.
