Artist:You Me At Six
Album:Sinners Never Sleep
Release Date:Jan. 24
British pop punkers You Me At Six are fresh off their win of "Best British Band" from the 2011 Kerrang! Awards and plan to keep up their success State side with their long-awaited release of their third full length. Featuring the single "Loverboy," be sure to give all 12 tracks a listen before heading up to Toronto to see them live.
Artist:Lana Del Rey
Album:Born to Die
Release Date:Jan. 31
Lana Del Rey's facial similarities and obnoxious amount of hairspray has led the crooner to proclaim herself as the "gangster Nancy Sinatra." However, she isn't just riding off of the namesake – she actually has talent. The beauty and uneasiness of "Video Games" puts the track among the very best of 2011, and "Born to Die" is just as moving. Both songs are singles on the upcoming Born to Die, one of the winter's most anticipated major label debuts.
Artist:Nicki Minaj
Album:Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
Release Date:Feb. 14
As one of the biggest female rappers of the decade and Young Money member, Nicki Minaj takes one of her numerous alter egos Roman Zolanski and makes him the star on this forthcoming album. It is unsure whether this album will be a re-release of the hip-hop diva's platinum-selling album Pink Friday, or whether it will be a new project completely, but Minaj wants to base her new album off of her own personas, and not collaborations. With the recent release of her first single, "Roman in Moscow," Minaj's signature style of hard-hitting catchy beats is exemplified, along with the identity of Roman. If Nicki Minaj stays true to her persona, this album will please fans, and she will not disappoint.
Artist:Sleigh Bells
Album:Reign of Terror
Release Date:Feb. 21
Treats, Sleigh Bells' debut, antagonized everything a typical critic may consider "good music." It rode off of simplistic guitar riffs ("Infinity Guitar"), high school reminiscent chants ("Tell ‘Em"), and an aggressive sound ("A/B Machines"). These tools are nothing new, but the intense energy the duo infused with the album made it a top-notch piece of work. "Comeback Kid," the first single off Reign of Terror, features that same aesthetic. More of the same is a good thing in this case.
Artist:Madonna
Album:M.D.N.A.
Release Date:March 2012
It's official; the Queen of pop music is back to regain her crown. After a four-year hiatus and signing a new deal with Interscope Records, Madonna will be releasing her 12th studio album, M.D.N.A. The first single, "Gimme All Your Luvin'" featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. will be digitally released Feb. 7, with her album slated to appear in March. Madonna is also headlining the 2012 Super Bowl Halftime show in Indianapolis on Feb. 5. As Madonna paved the way for performers we know and love today, it will be interesting to see what innovative sounds and collaborations she has in store for her fans this year.
Artist:Motion City Soundtrack
Album:TBA
Release Date:Spring 2012
Already in the studio working on their nextalbum, Motion City Soundtrack still hasn't revealed much about their fifth studio release, including the title. However, it's an LP that will defiantly be worth the listen, if only to see if the Minnesota pop-punk outfit will continue with the darker sound of 2010's My Dinosaur Life or revert back to the lighter fare circa Commit This to Memory.
Artist:Rick Ross
Album:God Forgives, I Don't
Release Date:Spring 2012
In "Key to the Crib," a track off of Rick Ross' latest mixtape Rich Forever, the fictional kingpin gives a little morsel of what's to come.
"My next move: God Forgives, I Don't. I think you'll love it," Rick Ross said.
His resume that he built last year doesn't leave much doubt that he won't keep the promise. "You the Boss" and "I Love My B******," two singles of the upcoming release, are bangers in their own right. If God Forgives, I Don't is anything like his last studio release, Teflon Don, expect this album to be on repeat on your playlist.
Artist:Ludacris
Album:Ludaversal
Release Date:May
Rap star Ludacris reunites with R&Bstar Usher for collaborations for his eighth studio album Ludaversal. Ludacris is expected to release popular radio singles based on his previous hit singles, "My Chick Bad," "Move B****," and "How Low." Usher will return with his smooth R&B flavor to mix with Ludacris' impeccable lyrics and dance club beats. The two hip-hop music pioneers have chemistry from collaborating on previous albums including the 2004 hit single "Yeah!" and this will add to the versatility and creativity of the release.
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