It's gonna be a good year (for music, at least)
Weāve said it before and weāll say it again: if there was anything that made 2020 even remotely bearable, it was good music. It was the one thing we held on to (or continue to hold on to, really) through the good and the bad and the lockdown. Despite 2021 having kicked into full swing already, a lesson from 2020 that I can't and won't unlearn is that everything is volatile. Not to be pessimistic, but until the world goes back to normal, music is the only thing that's going to keep me sane for the foreseeable future.
If you, too, live for the bliss of streaming the next great album to drop, keep scrolling. Ahead: a list of 2021 albums to look forward to.
RELATED: Stephanie Poetri Is More Than Just Her Hit, I Love You 3000
Pink Sweat$
Album: Pink Planet
When we caught up with Pink Sweat$ after the release of The Prelude last year, he clued us in that his full album, Pink Planet, was already being mastered. āThe Prelude is the journey,ā he explains of the pre-release EP. āPink Planet is the actual arrival where you get off and you go on a musical journey thatās like wow, this is a crazy dope place.ā
View this post on Instagram
SHINee
Album: TBA
When I say I'm freaking out over SHINee's imminent comeback, I mean it. Like, jumping-around-my-room-thinking-about-it-every-spare-moment mean it. This excitement is only natural, considering it'll be the group's first music release since Onew, Minho and Key's military discharge. I don't know what's coming, but I'm going to go ahead and say I love it already.
View this post on Instagram
Ā
Drake
Album: Certified Lover Boy
There's been no shortage of teasing when it comes to Drake's upcoming album, Certified Lover Boy. The artist has been posting photos in the studio on his Instagram stories. Producer 40 revealed how they collaborated amid the pandemic. Despite the album's original January release being pushed back, it seems it won't be long until we finally hear new music from Drake.
View this post on Instagram
Saweetie
Album: Pretty B*tch Music
I'll be the first to admit I was late to the Saweetie party. But hey, now that I've tapped in, the excitement for her upcoming project, Pretty B*tch Music, constantly simmers in my system. Ever proud of her heritage, it seems this release will be especially memorable for her Pinoy fans. In an interview with Hypebae, the quintessential Icy Girl shared that her Filipino roots are among the many inspirations for the album. “I wanted to do something that highlighted the Filipino culture because I have a couple lyrics that are in Tagalog so I think thatās cool.”
Lana Del Rey
Album: Chemtrails Over the Country Club
2020 was an interesting for Lana Del Rey, who came under fire for racism and politics and that controversial mesh mask. Fans who don't bother to keep up with the discourse will be pleased to hear that Del Rey is easing back into her nicheādreamy, brooding shoegaze musicāwith each pre-release leading up to her album, Chemtrails Over the Country Club.
IU
Album: TBA
IU first hinted at her upcoming album while accepting her award for Song of the Year at the 35th Golden Disk Awards. This would mark her first full album release since Palette, which dominated South Korean charts three years ago. During her speech, IU also expressed her intentions of releasing a single in Januaryāand true enough, she came through with upbeat pop anthem, Celebrity.
Rihanna
(This is wishful thinking)
Still waiting, Rih. Ready anytime!
View this post on Instagram
RELATED: A Retrospective: Did EXOās KAI Make the Best Solo Debut of 2020?
I admit I'd also like to see more music from Yukika, JANNABI, Snoh Aalegra and tobi lou this year, but I'll take what I can get. For as long as the music industry is thriving, we're surviving.Ā
Art Matthew Ian Fetalver
