2011 is shaping up to be a larger than life year for music. On the horizon is a battle of the blonds featuring current pop princess Britney Spears and rising pop goddess Lady Gaga, Kid Cudi’s rock album and a shitload of new music from Kanye West. These are 11 albums we can’t wait to illegally download in 2011. I’m kidding about that illegal bit. If there’s anybody from the RIAA out there reading. Maybe.
11. Lupe Fiasco – LASERS (Release Date: March 8, 2011)
First off, Lupe where have you been? We missed you. And I’m a bit upset since you left us with this and this. Second, if LASERS stands for “Love Always Shines Every Time: Remember 2 Smile,” I’m all for it as long as The Neptunes are involved. Guest apperances include John Legened and the required Trey Songz collaboration. Hopefully it’s not Lupe’s girl track.
10. Madonna – TBA (Release Date: TBA)
It’s crazy to think it’s been two years since Madonna’s last release, 2008′s Hard Candy. If Hard Candy was a side step, at least let this one be half a step forward. After hearing this outtake from that very album hope was re-instilled for the followup. Madonna posted on her Facebook page back in March. Britney, Gaga and Madonna all in one year–Madge would be smart to do that Gaga collab now, with a sweet Dr. Luke produced remix with Britney.
9. Solange Knowles – TBD (Release Date: TBD)
Solange has been recording off and on since 2009 with indie bands such as Midnight Juggernauts and Of Montreal. In an interview with Vibe Magazine the singer/songwriter said she suffered “a little bit of a breakdown” while recording the new album. “It’s more than an album to me. It’s a transitional time in my life,” she explains. The material is said to be a dark dance record. If it’s half as good as her last it’ll be awesome.
8. Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes (Release Date: March 1, 2011)
Swedish pop singer/songwriter Lykke is following up her debut album Youth Novels with Wounded Rhymes. The album boasts production by Bjorn Yttling of Peter Bjorn and John.
7. Nelly Furtado – Lifestyle (Release Date: TBD)
Nelly Furtado’s Loose was the most advanced pop album of it’s time. To me it’s up there with Blackout and Confessions on a Dancefloor as the best pop albums of the last decade. This time around Nelly and Timbaland are back at it for her new project entitled Lifestyle.
6. Fiona Apple – TBD (Release Date: TBD)
We get it, Fiona Apple is an artist. But we need a new album. She’s the indie Lauryn Hill. According to Apple’s drummer, Charley Drayton, he’s been co-producing Apple’s fourth album. She contributed this folksy track entitled So Sleepy, to the Chickens In Love soundtrack in 2010. Please Miss Apple, quit brooding long enough to give us another Extraordinary Machine.
5. Kanye West – TBA (Release Date: Summer 2011?)
Kanye West may have an entire album he’s working on with Big Brother Jay-Z, but that doesn’t stop him from working on new music for himself. Ye tweeted recently, “I’ll be back this SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!” before tweeting “MY NEW ALBUM COMING THIS SUMMER.” Kanye West gets better and better, and once you’re the best it’s hard to top yourself, but I’m sure the follow up to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy will be epic.
4. Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch The Throne (Release Date: TBD)
It was all good just a week ago. “H.A.M.,” the first single from Watch The Throne, is a tour de force of bass, synthesizers and a surprisingly good verse from Jay-Z. After the forgettable verse on “Monster” and 90% of The Blueprint 3 I gave up all hope on Jay. Hearing an energized Jay-Z, no doubt thanks to Ye, gives me hope for this project. The dynamic duo exiled themselves to Peter Gabriel’s studio in Bath, England to record the 10-song project.
3. Kid Cudi – Wizard (Release Date: Summer 2011)
Lonely stoner returned to the social networking after quitting a couple years back, exciting fans with a new account @wizardcud and updates on his new album Wizard. The upcoming project, due out this Summer, is a rock album produced by Dot da Genius. I’m amped to see what’s next for the project he explains will be all singing and no rapping.
2. Britney Spears – TBA (Release Date: March 15, 2011)
Britney Spears broke records, as she always does, with her new single “Hold It Against Me.” The evolution of pop music has changed over the years. In 2004, Gwen Stefani took pop to new heights. In 2006, it was Fergie and Nelly Furtado pushing pop to even more rambunctious sounds. 2010 was all about Rihanna, Gaga and Katy Perry. In 2007, Britney did it with Blackout. As time goes on the beats must get hotter to keep up. “Hold It Against Me” is that perfect song for now, It’s edgy, all over the place and the first mainstream song to utilize dub step elements, which are becoming popular by the day. Spears’ still untitled seventh album is co-executive produced by Max Martin and Dr Luke, who created magic with Katy Perry. This one is sure to be the album of the summer.
1. Lady Gaga – Born This Way (May 23, 2011)
“Don’t Be A Drag, Just Be A Queen.” These are lyrics taken from Lady Gaga’s upcoming single “Born This Way,” the title track from her upcoming followup to The Fame. With videos and a tour already in the works. Born This Way, is looking like it’s going to be Gaga’s Ray of Light. She plans to take her sound to new heights combining neurotic dance beats with rock riffs and anthems. Once I have this album, consider me a satisfied little monster.
No Comments
Trackbacks
- Tweets that mention 10 Albums We Can’t Wait To Illegally Download In 2011 | www.An-Mag.com | Art Nouveau Magazine | Art, Culture, Style, Music, Ideas -- Topsy.com
