hmv previews 2018's Best Albums... Newcomers
Over the next few days, we'll be previewing 80 of the best albums you can expect to hear in 2017. Most will come out, some inevitably won't, but they are all worth getting excited about.
Today it's the best of the newcomers...
Fickle Friends
Title: You Are Someone Else
Release Date: March 16th
The dance-pop collective have spent the last two years delighting us with a series of bouncy, energetic, smart and ever-so-catchy singles and in March we’ll finally get to hear their debut album.
For their debut, they’ve enlisted the help of 1975 producer Mike Crossey, Years and Years man Mark Ralph and JP Cooper/Zara Larsson Mike Spencer.
Largely recorded in Los Angeles, but written during the band’s years as an independent hard-touring act, you can expect a joyous debut LP.
Dream Wife
Title: Dream Wife
Release Date: January 26th
The Icelandic/British trio have been teasing us with excellent EPs for some time now, but in January they finally get around to dropping their full-length debut.
Full of raw power, searing riffs and delightful harmonies, it’s going to be an essential listen.
Pale Waves
Title: TBC
Release Date: TBC
The 1975-approved dream poppers have delivered a series of gorgeous singles and in 2018 we are promised their full-length debut.
The 1975 frontman Matty Healy and drummer George Daniel have helped produce the group’s early singles and it’s not clear if they’ll have the same role for their full-length LP, but they’re sure to be involved.
Either way, if it’s anything like new LP New Year’s Eve, then it’ll be a joy for your ears...
Nick J.D Hodgson
Title: Tell Your Friends
Release Date: January 26th
The former Kaiser Chiefs drummer and key songwriter has been enjoying time out of the spotlight as a songwriting gun for hire, but he’s back now.
An album inspired by 1970’s pop and folk, the LP sees Hodgson collaborating with The Music’s Rob Harvey and his old Kaiser Chiefs bandmate Andrew ‘Whitey’ White.
The Japanese House
Title: TBC
Release Date: TBC
The second of The 1975’s disciples in this rundown, ethereal indie songstress Amber Bain, better known as The Japanese House.
In between tours and excellent singles, Bain has been quietly working away on her debut album and has promised to have it finished by the end of this year. Let’s hope she keeps to that timescale...
Camila Cabello
Title: Camila
Release Date: January 12th
It’s been a year since Cabello parted ways with Fifth Harmony and branched out on her own, but what a year it’s been.
Powered by monster hit ‘Havana’, which has sold over three million copies and topped the charts across the world, Cabello unveils her debut album next month with quite the fanfare.
Cabello’s production team is huge and packed with big hitmakers, including Andrew Wyatt, Noonie Bao and Pharrell Williams.
Expect big, big things…
Anne-Marie
Title: TBC
Release Date: Early 2018
The singer, who made her name with hugely successful collaborations with Clean Bandit and Nick Jonas, is currently readying her debut album for an early 2018 release.
The album, which is still without a title, is expected to include hit singles ‘Heavy’ and ‘Ciao Adios’ as well as a collaboration with hitmaker supreme Ed Sheeran.
Tom Misch
Title: Geography
Release Date: April 6th
22-year-old Tom Misch is an incredible proposition. A soulful multi-instrumentalist who brings together smooth R&B, hip-hop beats and gliding electronica.
His debut album, which is being released by his own label Beyond The Groove, will be a sensation, especially if new single ‘Movie’ is anything to go by.
Van William
Title: Countries
Release Date: January 19th
Former frontman of Port O’Brien and WATERS, William now goes solo with his debut album Countries.
Featuring a guest part from First Aid Kit, who he’ll support on their UK tour, the album is a homely collection of country and folk, soundtracked by William’s rich vocals.
Cardi B
Title: TBC
Release Date: Mid 2018
The rapper has been one of the stars of 2017, with her two mixtapes Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1 and 2 causing serious waves and making her debut album one of music’s most anticipated.
Expect big tunes and a lot of guest appearances, almost certainly from rap trio Migos, who count B’s fiance Offset among their members.
