Lady Gaga, Bright Eyes among most anticipated releases of semester
“Kunst” The Ting Tings
British indie pop rock duo The Ting Tings, featuring Jules de Martino and Katie White, flew into the mainstream after the release of their first album “We Started Nothing” (2008). Hit singles “That’s Not My Name” and “Shut Up and Let Me Go” introduced the pair’s edgy brand of pop. The pair will release its sophomore album, tentatively titled “Kunst,” which means “art” in German, early this year.
“Mine Is Yours” Cold War Kids
Indie rock quartet Cold War Kids has perfected the alternative Long Beach swag with lead singer Nathan Willett’s boisterous belts and sick guitar riffs courtesy of Willett and Jonnie Bo Russell. Most easily recognized by its song “Hang Me Up to Dry” from its album “Robbers & Cowards” (2006), Cold War Kids is back with the upcoming release of its third studio album “Mine Is Yours,” due Jan. 25. Single “Louder Than Ever” changes things up a little while still offering the expected Cold War sound.
“The People’s Key” Bright Eyes
Bright Eyes, an indie alternative act from Omaha, Neb., features sweet and slow-paced vocals from band founder Conor Oberst. Rising to popularity with its song “First Day of My Life” from full-length album “I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning,” Bright Eyes adopted a defining acoustic sound. However, the upcoming album “The People’s Key,” set to drop Feb. 15 with Saddle Creek Records, takes on a new style. Single “Shell Games,” available on iTunes, adds a little edge to Oberst’s vocals and leans a little more to the rock side of the game.
“21” Adele
Soulful singer-songwriter Adele is no stranger to the Grammy nominees list and has a huge following with her stripped-down warm vocals and acoustic guitar. The 21-year-old songstress will debut her second full-length album “21” on Feb. 22 in the U.S., following up her debut album “19.” The first single and opening track on “21,” “Rolling in the Deep” brings light to blues and gospel influences in her vocals while staying true to the beloved Adele sound.
“Born This Way” Lady Gaga
The woman, the myth, the legend Lady Gaga has floored the pop music scene with her machine gun bras, creatively crafted headwear and unmatchable top chart hits. Gaga’s first album “The Fame,” and rereleased “The Fame Monster,” still sees success more than two years after its debut, paving the way for a sure-to-be-genius lineup on the anticipated “Born This Way.” After a hyped New Year’s Eve midnight tweet, Gaga announced the new album’s first single “Born This Way” will drop Feb. 13, and the album will be out May 23.
“Mission Bell” Amos Lee
Singer-songwriter and Philadelphia native Amos Lee stuns with a sound that encompasses just about all genres, with a little bit of folk, soul, jazz, blues and acoustic flair, to make something great. Lee’s album is one of the most anticipated of the season, set for release Jan. 25 with Blue Note Records.
“James Blake” James Blake
British composer James Blake has the industry talking about his signature sound — characterized as electronic — but offering so much more. With four EPs under his belt, his first self-titled full-length album, due out Feb. 7, will be released in the U.K. under R&S Records. The album’s first single “Limit to Your Love” strays away from his accepted electronic genre and focuses on a soulful Blake and his piano.
“Watch the Throne” Jay-Z and Kanye West
Jay-Z and Kanye West are legends of the rap game. Both have been placed on a hip-hop pedestal, and rightfully so. Riding on the coattails of his wildly successful album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” West has paired up with Jay-Z to release a collaborative LP entitled “Watch the Throne.” A release date has not been set for the album, but the all-stars dropped the first single “H.A.M.” on Facebook Tuesday.
“Lasers” Lupe Fiasco
Chicago native Lupe Fiasco took the hip-hop scene by storm with his debut album “Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor,” featuring chart-topping single “Daydreamin’.” Fiasco is now a key player in the industry, with his newest album “Lasers,” coming out March 8 with Atlantic Records. The album’s first single “The Show Goes On” is available on iTunes now.