hmv previews... 2021's Best Albums
In previous years, hmv.com has previewed 60 of the albums to look forward to in the year to come, however, after the events of the last year and the constant state of flux that the UK's music industry and live music finds itself in, we're offering something of a scaled-back preview this year.
So, instead, here are 20 albums to look forward to 2021. Most of them should come out, hopefully, all of them will, but we'll see...
Foo Fighters
Title: Medicine At Midnight
Release date: February 5th
Dave Grohl's men make it into double figures with studio albums as they release their first new LP since 2017's Concrete And Gold.
Recorded with Greg Kurstin, who produced Concrete And Gold, the band made the record in a large 1940s mansion in Encino, California at the end of 2019.
The LP, which clocks in at under 37 minutes and consists of only nine songs, is billed by Grohl as a record inspired by the band's "...love of rock bands that make these upbeat, up-tempo, almost danceable records."
As you hear on new single 'No Son Of Mine', there's definitely plenty of groove going on...
London Grammar
Title: Californian Soil
Release date: April 9th
The elegant pop trio return with their third full-length effort at the start of April.
While the album retains the group's ethereal elegance and cinematic production, it is an album inspired by dark subject matter.
Speaking about the origins of the record, singer Hannah Reid said: "Misogyny is primitive which is why it is so hard to change. But it is also fearful. It’s about rejecting the thing in yourself which is vulnerable or feminine. Yet everybody has that thing. This record is about gaining possession of my own life."
Evanescence
Title: The Bitter Truth
Release date: March 26th
Amy Lee and co release their first studio album comprised entirely of original material in a decade in March.
Recorded with Korn/Halestorm knob-twiddler Nick Raskulinecz, the album's lead-off single 'Use My Voice' sees Within Temptation's Sharon den Adel, violinist Lindsey Stirling, Halestorm's Lzzy Hale and The Pretty Reckless' Taylor Momsen teaming up with Lee to deliver the track.
After embracing strings and electronica on their last release, Synthesis, this album sees the band return to the heavy guitars and bombast of their earlier work.
Lana Del Rey
Title: Chemtrails Over The Country Club
Release date: March 19th
The singer follows up 2019's hugely acclaimed Norman F**king Rockwell with a brand new collection in 2021.
Continuing her collaboration with Taylor Swift/St Vincent producer Jack Antonoff, the album is Del Rey's seventh of her career, but is billed as a very different record and more stripped-back effort than her sweary 2019 effort.
The release date was due to be in the first part of the year, but has now been pushed back as the pandemic has slowed down vinyl production...
The Staves
Title: Good Woman
Release date: February 5th
The Staveley-Taylor sisters make it three albums and counting with the release of new LP, Good Woman.
Made with Blondie/Everything Everything producer John Congleton, the album comes at the end of a period of turmoil for the trio, which included the death of their mother and the arrival of singer Emily Staveley-Taylor's first child.
Architects
Title: For Those That Wish To Exist
Release date: February 26th
The metalcore titans drop their ninth collection at the end of next month and their second since the tragic death of founder and songwriter Tom Searle.
Produced once again by drummer Dan Searle and guitarist Josh Middleton, the album is an epic collection, clocking in at almost an hour and with 15 tracks.
Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro, Parkway Drive's Winston McCall and Royal Blood's Mike Kerr are all among the guests on the LP, which the band have revealed is "...inspired by global uncertainty in 2020 and looming threats to the future of mankind..."
Royal Blood
Title: Typhoons
Release date: April 21st
The big-selling rock duo are due to deliver the follow-up to 2017's How Did We Get So Dark? in the coming months.
The pair have talked up AC/DC and classic disco are key influences in the making of the new record, which sees them self-producing in part for the first time.
Pale Waves
Title: Who Am I?
Release date: February 12th
The ghostly indie types release their second album next month.
The LP was recorded primarily in Los Angeles alongside producer Rich Costey and sees the band dabbling with poppier influences, with singer Heather Baron-Gracie talking up both Avril Lavigne and Alanis Morissette as key in the writing of this album.
Weezer
Title: Van Weezer
Release date: May 7th
The beloved pop-rockers release their 14th record in late spring.
Moving away from the mellow pop of the last two LPs, the cheekily named Van Weezer will channel frontman Rivers Cuomo’s love of hair metal and 70s rock, with Kiss, Black Sabbath, Metallica and, naturally, Van Halen, all key influences.
St. Vincent
Title: TBC
Release date: TBC
Annie Clark's follow-up to 2017's hugely acclaimed Masseducation is on the way in 2021.
The rumors are true. New record “locked and loaded” for 2021. Can’t wait for you to hear it.
— St. Vincent (@st_vincent) December 15, 2020
cc: @MOJOmagazine
Little is known about the record, beyond the fact that Clark has been working with Jack Antonoff once again, but details would appear to be on the way...
Bleachers
Title: TBC
Release date: TBC
Speaking of Antonoff, the in-demand producer has an album of his own to come in 2021.
It's as yet untitled and the release date is yet to be confirmed, but we have two tracks, one of which is a collaboration with Antonoff's fellow New Jersey hero Bruce Springsteen.
A Day To Remember
Title: You're Welcome
Release date: March 5th
The Florida post-hardcore types have waited five years to debut the follow-up to 2016's Bad Vibrations, but it should be with us in 2021.
The album, which is produced by Papa Roach and Hands Like Houses man Colin Brittain, will be the bands' first release under major label Fueled by Ramen after spending six years as an independent outfit.
The band have talked up the record as a "happier" album, but have been keen to stress that they won't move too far away from their core sound, as you can hear on new jam 'Brick Wall'.
Mogwai
Title: As The Love Continues
Release date: February 19th
The Scottish post-rockers make it double figures with their new LP, which is due out next month.
The album was recorded at Vale Studios in the UK, with Dave Fridmann, who produced the band's last effort Every Country's Son, producing remotely from the United States.
The band's taste for the epic continues, with two of the album's tracks crossing the seven-minute mark...
Zara Larsson
Title: Poster Girl
Release date: March 5th
The Swedish pop sensation drops her third LP and her first since 2017's So Good.
Collaborations with Marshmello, MNEK and DJ Erik Hassle all look set to feature on the album, which the singer has revealed will feature 12 tracks.
Ghost
Title: TBC
Release date: TBC
The theatrical Swedish metallers look set to the follow-up to 2018's hit Prequelle in the second half of 2021.
Frontman Tobias Forge has revealed that the band will be recording in January, so let's hope he's beavering away right now...
Celeste
Title: Not Your Muse
Release date: January 29th
The winner of 2020's Critics' Choice BRIT Awards was due to make her splash last year, but amid the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, she's been forced to wait as her debut album has been delayed and delayed.
It finally looks set to drop at the end of next month and is trailed by new single 'Love Is Back'.
Written largely with Jamie Hartman, former frontman of pop-rockers Ben's Brother, the album showcases the singer's graceful take on soul and R&B.
Garbage
Title: TBC
Release date: TBC
The starry rockers aren't famous for their prolific ways, but they have confirmed that a new album is complete and was being mixed in the autumn, it will be the band's first since 2016's Strange Little Birds.
Speaking previously about the album, singer Shirley Manson has promised a "cinematic" new record, which certainly sounds exciting.
Sting
Title: Duets
Release date: March 19th
After collaborating with Shaggy for joint album 44/876, The Police frontman expands his range with a full album of duets.
Among the duet partners on the record are Craig David, Zucchero, Eric Clapton, Annie Lennox, Julio Iglesias, and, of course, Shaggy.
Glasvegas
Title: Godspeed
Release date: April 2nd
It's been eight years since the release of the heartswelling Scottish rockers' last album, but a new one emerges in early spring.
Engineered, recorded and produced by lead singer James Allan, the album keeps the band's widescreen and lyrically brittle take on indie, as you can hear on new single 'My Body Is A Glasshouse (A Thousand Stones Ago)'.
Drake
Title: Certified Lover Boy
Release date: TBC
The all-conquering Canuck drops album number six in the coming weeks, his first since 2018's Scorpion.
Led by the title track, which features Lil Durk, the rapper's only word on the album is that fans should expect the unexpected. Let's see...
