What 2010 Albums Are You Looking Forward To / Hoping For?

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2009 has been filled with great music from old favorites and new talent alike. But now that 2009 has almost reached its close, it’s time to start talking about the treasures that await us in 2010. Read on for an in-depth list of albums that are expected to be released in 2010, as well as those which have been running through the rumor mill for the last few weeks.

In January alone we’ve got confirmed album releases by Spoon, Vampire Weekend, Free Energy, and new PMA fave, Fyfe Dangerfield.

In February we have album releases by Yeasayer (Odd Blood; 2/9), Drake (Thank Me Later; 2/14), The Streets (Computers and Blues; 2/23), Hot Chip, and UNKLE.

In March we’re expecting Does It Offend You, Yeah? and Frightened Rabbit. In April, Eminem’s Relapse 2.

Sometime during the first quarter of 2010, we’re expecting albums by Christina Aguilera (who has worked with M.I.A., Santigold, Diplo, Goldfrapp, and Ladytron !!!), MGMT, Maroon 5 and Panic! at the Disco.

Other announced albums include new material from RADIOHEAD (?!!!), LCD Soundsystem, Gorillaz, Kings of Leon, Katy Perry, N.E.R.D., Mark Ronson, No Doubt, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Shins, The Strokes, among others.

I’ve been hearing buzz and rumors of new albums from Arcade Fire, of Montreal, The National, Panda Bear,  Belle and Sebastian, Burial, Sufjan Stevens, the Decemberists, the White Stripes, Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, and Joanna Newsom.

I’m sure I’ve left off a few announced 2010 albums or even some rumored albums, but reading through this list, I can’t help but to get excited about next year. Here are the 5 albums I’m looking forward to the most or hoping will at least happen:

Arcade Fire - various tipsters are hinting that AF are indeed in the studio, so I’m fairly confident that we’ll be listening to new Arcade Fire in 2010. Funeral and Neon Bible as witnesses to their musical genius, there’s no doubt in my mind that LP3 will blow minds.

Radiohead – So Radiohead’s drummer supposedly told NME that the band will be recording an album this winter, despite Thom Yorke announcing that Radiohead were through with albums. Have my public rantings of resentment towards Radiohead for quitting the album finally turned them off the idea completely? Or is this wishful thinking? I couldn’t tell you, but if an In Rainbows follow-up is in the stars, you can bet good money I’ll be all over it.

Spoon – The first couple of leaks haven’t blown me away yet, but my faith in Spoon is as fortified as ever. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga went on to be one of my favorite albums ever, and if I know Spoon, I know they will put their all in a follow-up.

Bon Iver/Fleet Foxes – These two folk superstars can’t be one-album miracles. Maybe I’m being a bit impatient, but I will hold a grudge if I don’t get new albums by Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes in 2010.

Panda Bear – This chill bro has played new tunes at various live shows, which is the biggest hint at a new album an artist can possible give. After the indispensable Person Pitch, Panda Bear and his buddies dropped the mother of Animalistic bombshells, Merriweather Post Pavilion. More than anything, I want to get back in bed with Panda Bear and listen to a follow-up to both groundbreaking records.

I am reminded, more than ever, that now is a great time to be a music fan. Fill in the blank: As a music fan, I am looking forward to _______________________ in 2010.

by Luis Tovar on November 10, 2009 ‡ 1 reaction