We have been through difficult times in 2020. Hopefully, things will look up with the announcement of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, Christmas and 2021 around the corner. Even without the hope of a vaccine, the year witnessed great musical releases which probably helped it pass easier.
And in the first months of 2021 that should be here within the blink of an eye, we have a few albums to look forward to.
Lots of big names in the music industry are yet to announce and confirm their releases. Fan-based rumors and predictions within the music community suggest big albums in 2021 which are currently in the works.
Releases with indefinite dates
Pop artists Bebe Rexha and Zara Larsson are expected to release their albums next year, with the latter having named her project Poster Girl. Bebe Rexha mentioned earlier this year that she would wait to release new music “until the world is in a better place”.
Kelly Clarkson announced her 8th studio album set to release in early 2021. After her divorce which was revealed in June, Kelly admitted in an interview that she felt her life was like a “dumpster” and she attended to her project, writing more “personal” songs.
Highly anticipated albums from artists like Rihanna, Adele and Zayn have been in the rumors for 2021. When asked whether plans for a ninth studio album were in place, Rihanna responded saying: “I can’t say when I’m going to drop. But I am very aggressively working on music.”
The singer announced delays to the project in 2019, when she faced difficulties due to the passing of her dog. “It all felt hollow without my boy beside me,” she wrote.
Lorde rose to global fame with her song Royals in 2013 and has been delivering gems of the Electropop and Indie pop genres ever since. Her last album Melodrama was released 3 years ago. The same year, USA TODAY branded her album as the best pop album of the year.
British pop artist FKA Twigs said she made a “whole album in quarantine”. The wait for her third album is nearing its end and it is predicted to be out most certainly in 2021.
“I was working with people that I’d never met in real life, and we were doing the whole thing over FaceTime. It was great.“
The singer illuminated the electronic pop music industry with the release of her debut album, LP1, in 2014. Her second album Magdalene, embarked on her achievements as a more capable and realized artist.
“By the time the album was finished, I gained a lot of momentum and strength.”
“Cellophane”, one of her songs in Magdalene, provided enigmatic visuals in the music video, receiving a Grammy nomination in 2020 for it.
On their social media, the group wrote: “Due to the current circumstances requiring us to distance ourselves from each other and you, the release has been postponed.”
The band asked fans to contribute to their video for the song “Better Days.” The song was written after the band returned from their European Tour while in quarantine.
Before the pandemic, we planned to release our album on May 8th. Due to the current circumstances requiring us to distance ourselves from each other and you, the release has been postponed. As many of you know we’ve been taking this unexpected time out to write and record…(1/2) pic.twitter.com/8obqn9SH0u
— ONEREPUBLIC (@OneRepublic) April 8, 2020
Lana Del Rey presented a dilemma to her fans. She said she was unable to decide whether or not to include the previously teased song “Dealer” in the album. She added it just features her “screaming my head off.“
“Bro, I cannot decide,“ Del Rey said. “It’s a screamer…right now it’s tentatively track eight.“ The release will be her sixth studio album under a major label.
Recently formed duo The Scotts, consisting of hip-hop artists Kid Cudi and Travis Scott, sees both the individuals working towards their own projects into the new year.
Kid Cudi announced in July the release of an upcoming album paired with an animated adult series on Netflix named Entergalactic in 2021. Travis Scott’s highly anticipated project Utopia is set to release in the same year.
Cudi’s first solo project since 2016 has been highly anticipated by fans. He consoled his fans by saying, “Entergalactic will be something you’ve never experienced. I promise it’ll be a fun ride. Lots of good friends involved. Great songs too,“ assuring that it’ll be worth the wait.
Kid Cudi has confronted his emotions and his struggle with mental illness in his various other projects with transparency and harmony. Many fans wonder if this album will address similar topics.
The rapper’s fourth studio album will keep us waiting for 2021 as well.
GOING TO GO COOK UP AND BUILD THESE WALLS FOR UTOPIA. SEE YOU GUYS SOON.
— TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) October 5, 2020
Album Entries in the first quarter January is really looking up. Hip-hop/R&B icon, Drake, announced his sixth studio album Certified Lover Boy under his own label OVO partnering with Republic. Teaser videos surfaced on his social media, mentioning its release in January 2021.
The 34-year-old musician from Toronto is expected to start 2021 with a ‘bang’, with his myriad of fans expecting his new music to be on par or better than his previous albums. The artist has impeccable accolades including his multiple awards and nominations.
His mixtape project Dark Lane Demo Tapes, which consisted of “throwaways”, seemed like hit and miss to his fans.
Drake acknowledged that he had set his expectations for how some fans may “hate on” the upcoming album. He said that it will have a similar effect on audiences like his 2016 album Views, which received tepid reviews upon its release and now seems to “be hittin’ different.”
Steven Wilson pushed back the release of his new album, The Future Bites and said in an interview that the process encountered “unprecedented challenges” due to the pandemic.
West London’s very own Arlo Parks, who was listed as a breakthrough act of 2020 has announced her album Collapsed in Sunbeams set to release in January as well. Mentioned on Vogue as one of its “favorite new songwriters”, Parks will release her debut album with Transgressive Records.
The album boasts of impressive soundtracks including much appreciated track featuring the melodious Clairo, “Green Eyes”, which reflects on the challenges of same-sex love. Her preceding EP releases, Super Sad Generation and Sophie, received lots of critical praise.
Pop-star Sia is ready to release Music: Songs from and Inspired by the Motion Picture in February. The trailer of Music, an IMAX limited release, has been involved in recent controversy, with Sia receiving a lot of criticism on social media.
Sia had been asked to “cancel” the film, the demand supported by a petition. In her response on Twitter, she said, “I have my own unique view of the community, and felt it is underrepresented and compelled to make it. If that makes me a sh*t I’m a sh*t, but my intentions are awesome.”