Time to take a look towards the year ahead, in a not-so-grounded (i.e. mostly uncomfirmed), followed by a reasonably sound list of albums that may come to grace our ears in 2013. There are more comprehensive lists of this type elsewhere on the web - here, here and of course my own Upcoming Releases list - but this is a more compact, personal take of what I hope will turn out to be pretty great.
10 possible artists to release albums this year
Jai Paul
Jai Paul may have only put out two tracks officially so far, but the anticipation for new material bearing his name is huge. Jai clearly cares about the quality of what he puts out. Could 2013 be the year it arives in an album-sized package?
Kanye West
Many believe Kanye's last solo album, 2010's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy to be his best yet. Let's hope becoming a father or the rumoured Cruel Winter compilation don't prevent him from releasing another this year.
Black Hippy
OK, hear me out on this one. Both ScHoolBoy Q and Ab-Soul are working on upcoming projects, and Kendrick is taking a break after good kid, m.A.A.d city, but a whole album of the Black Hippy crew riding on the success of K.Dot makes so much sense from a marketing perspective, and I'm sure I'm not alone in wondering how it'd turn out.
Slint
Slint's last album was the legendary Spiderland, released back in 1991. However the band reunited a few years back, and guitarist David Pajo hints there may be more to come. If Swans and Godspeed have managed successful comebacks recently, why not?
Austra
Feel It Break was an excellent debut album, no doubt about that. No word on Austra's follow-up yet but a new song last year called "Painful Like" offers a tantilising new direction.
Liars
Angus Andrew has mentioned on more than one occasion that there are a number of outtakes from the WIXIW sessions that Liars are unsure what to do with. Although a Amnesiac style sequel seems a little too much like hero-worship, it would be great to hear these leftovers in some way. Maybe an EP or a live album?
Killer Mike and El-P
Likewise, El-P has expressed interest in working on an EP with Killer Mike, after the wildly enjoyable R.A.P. Music and Cancer For Cure albums. It would be great to hear the two MC's trading off lines and verses again.
Despot
Despot seems to be the butt of the Def Jux family's joke, having never released an album since his 2004 signing. But apparently he has recorded an album produced entirely by indie band Ratatat, and what I've heard of it has been pretty sweet.
Jay Electronica
Not sure which is more likely, Despot's album, Dr. Dre's Detox, or Jay Electronica's Act II: Patents of Nobility (The Turn). Still last year we got a tracklist, and promise of a Chris Brown-featured single, so something has to happen soon, right?
My Bloody Valentine
Technically this ought to be in the other list, but anyone can be forgiven when it comes to this particular release, if it can be legitimatly caled that. Apparently Kevin Shields has finished mastering the new My Bloody Valentine album he's been working on for 21 years, and supposedly it's going to be up on the MBV website soon. Watch this space, however long it may be.
10 albums we will (probably) see this year
The Bug - Angels & Devils
Kevin Martin has alrerady teamed up with Daddy Freddy, Inga Copeland, Miss Red (below) and Warrior Queen for his Acid Ragga 7" series, which will culminate in Angels & Devils, the follow-up to 2008 incredible London Zoo. Collaborations with Death Grips, Gonjasufi, Grouper, JK Flesh, Flowdan and the Spaceape are also promised.
Danny Brown - Old
Danny Brown's sequel to XXX also looks heavy on the features. In his case it's MC's A$AP Rocky, ScHoolBoy Q, Ab-Soul and Kitty Pryde, indie duo Purity Ring, and producers SKYWLKR, Paul White, Darq E Freaker, Oh No and Rustie.
The Knife - Shaking the Habitual
Expected 8th April via Mute
Not much is known about the new Knife album save for this video, and that their last, the lauded Silent Shout was released way back in 2006.
Phoenix - TBC
Expected April
Not much to report on this one yet either. It ought to be solid though.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Push the Sky Away
Expected 18th February via Mute
The ever-busy Nick Cave and Warren Ellis are never ones to disappoint. "We No Who U R" is a lovely lead single, and there's also one of those awesome studio recording montage videos. More of these please.
The Flaming Lips - The Terror
The world ought to be sick of Wayne Coyne and co's shenannigans (i.e. cuntish behaviour) by now, but as long as they keep releasing strong material there will always be an audience for them. With Steven Drozd having recently been released from hospital after battling with his drug addiction, there should hopefully be a new dynamic brought to The Terror.
CHVRCHES - TBC
You're right, Lauren. I can't get enough.
Factory Floor - TBC
Expected May via DFA
British live circuit mainstay and recipients of the first Single of the Week of this year, Factory Floor's album now has an (approximate) release date. Let's hope they stick to it.
Iceage - You're Nothing
Expected 19th February via Matador
If this album is anything like New Brigade, etc.
Arcade Fire - TBC / Yeah Yeah Yeahs - TBC
Expected late 2013 (AF) / Spring (YYY)
Lumped together because James Murphy is rumoured to be involved in both projects. Even if he isn't (and he won't be in both), more indie rock critic bait with a dance-ier direction is always worth a listen.
Keep your eyes on the Upcoming Releases page for regular updates.
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