DUL’s Most Anticipated Albums of 2012: Part 2
This morning we mentioned some upcoming releases we’re excited about, but not every band has their plans set in stone. Some are more vague, intentional or not, about their current projects, leaving us to speculate about whether they’ll make good on a promise for a record in 2012, or whether they’ll just surprise us with a stellar album. Here are some bands we’re (*fingers crossed*) expecting/hoping for albums from this year.
Spring 2012 / Smekkleysa
We’ve been waiting patiently since 2008′s poppy mouthful Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust for more Sigur Rós material. The band rewarded everyone recently with a live album and DVD, Inni, while previous rumors of scrapping some already-recorded work on a new album have left us unsure of what to expect, both in terms of timing and content. A WSJ article a couple months back revealed some hopeful details, though: an album this spring, something more ambient and dreamy than past work, and a world tour later this year.
Sigur Rós: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Insound
Spring 2012 / Domino?
Bitte Orca had the indie musicosphere all abuzz back in 2009, and we’ve heard a few stray projects from Dave Longstreth and the gang since then, including an interesting EP side project with Björk and a deluxe edition of that breakthrough LP. Spin reported in October that Longstreth rented an empty house, relaxed, wrote some material, and got the Dirty Projectors together to record the whole thing. [Note: be sure to read that interview for the surprise ending. Seriously.]
Dirty Projectors: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Insound
Summer 2012 / Fat Possum + Bella Union
The Walkmen have been churning out album after album of powerful, fist-pumping indie rock tunes since 2002, and if they keep up this every-other-year pace, we’re due for another gem in 2012. Paste announced the news in November that the band will tour extensively this year, no doubt in support of the forthcoming LP, due sometime this summer. Can’t wait!
The Walkmen: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Insound
??.??.2012 / Young Turks
Oh man, was The xx hot shit in 2009. Album of the year, Mercury Prize, best new artist, all the good stuff. And they deserved it. The sparse, wide open spaces of their tunes were a veritable breath of fresh air for the music community. They’ve been touring that record for seemingly forever, but now they’re not only working on and recording an album for this year, they’re actively sharing demos and inspirations on their new blog! Pretty cool, if you ask us. Check out one such demo here:
The xx / “Open Eyes [demo]“
The xx: Website / Facebook / Insound
??.??.2012 / Warp?
I’ve been following Grizzly Bear since seeing them play an awesome, intimate show in college when they were still playing Horn of Plenty material, and I’ve savored every minute of their transformation from sitting-cross-legged-on-the-floor, lo-fi singalong folk to quasi-bombastic chamber pop. Veckatimest still gets plays on my turntable but it seems like it came out so long ago. Never fear: only a couple of weeks ago on Facebook, Ed Droste promised us a new album this year, “unless something crazy happens”! Let’s hope nothing crazy happens!
Grizzly Bear: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Insound
??.??.2012 / Gnomonsong?
We still can’t get enough of the unique mix of hazy guitar swells, hip-hop-influenced droning beats, and Jana Hunter’s deep vocals that unfurled from Twin Hand Movement‘s mysterious grooves. That record is outstanding, the band is amazing live, and they’re darn nice people, to boot. Lower Dens released a couple of solid 7″ singles in the wake of the album, too, so despite the departure of guitarist Will Adams, we have high hopes that the band is all set with new songs ready to be revealed. Here’s hoping they swing through the ‘Burgh on tour again, as well!
Lower Dens: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Insound
Photo by Steve Gullick
??.??.2012 / Matador
It’s been four years since Jukebox, and even longer since a proper LP of Chan Marshall material. She got all excited right before Christmas, though, announcing a new single (with proceeds for charity) and an accompanying music video, and saying she is “ALMOST DONE” with a new album. Who knows exactly what that means, but we’re confident enough to expect an LP sometime this calendar year. C’mon Chan, you can do it …
Cat Power: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Insound
??.??.2012 / Mexican Summer?
Critics have been divisive over Best Coast‘s back-to-basics guitar melodies and simple lyrics, and maybe you don’t feel like their songs are high art (although they’re definitely “high” art, yuk yuk) but you can’t deny the catchiness of it all. In a recent interview, that weed-smoking cat lady, Bethany Cosentino, talks about how she doesn’t want to be seen anymore as that weed-smoking cat lady, and a blog post about a new demo song entitled “How They Want Me To Be” point to some larger themes at play. Who knows exactly what to expect on this sophomore album, but with vetreran producer Jon Brion working behind the scenes, it’s bound to be interesting.
Best Coast: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Insound
??.??.2012 / XL
These NYC boys have been off the road for a few months, working on a followup to 2010′s Contra at Brookyln’s Excello studios. Maybe this LP will be more Paul Simon-esque than Paul himself, causing the legend to fight back with a surprise hip-hop album of Bob Dylan covers. Maybe it’ll be more Afro-poppy than ever and record shops will file it under “World Music” only to be lost in vinyl bins until the 2030s. Who knows? All we know is this: we will fucking listen to this album, even if we end up hating it.
Vampire Weekend: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Insound
??.??.2012 / Dead Oceans?
There’s always room for another acoustic guitar-totin’ singer/songwriter in the mix, especially if he’s got the voice of Kristian Matsson. You know we’re big fans. #1 album of 2010! This guy’s voice and guitar are one beam of light shining right into our ears with sweet and gritty goodness. Don’t bother working out that shitty metaphor. Just light some candles and send some cosmic thoughts to Mr. Matsson begging for a new album.
The Tallest Man On Earth: Website / Facebook / Insound
??.??.2012 / Frenchkiss?
Another one of our favorite 2010 albums, Gorilla Manor, was one of those great debut albums that not only showed greatness but boded future greatness. Here we are, eager for that greatness. One more time: greatness. Local Natives announced at Lollapalooza last yeat that they built a new studio (cool!) and are working on that second great full-length. Go back and replay “Airplanes” and all the other great Gorilla Manor tunes and tell us you aren’t also waiting in anticipation for more greatness. Yeah, I said it, greatness.
Local Natives: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Insound
GREATNESS
Photo by Muzzle of Bees
??.??.2012 / 4AD?
Okay, this one’s a bit more guesswork than the others, but just look at their discography: 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2010, … we’re due! Okay, High Violet was so awesome it took them three years to make, but now that they’ve got the hang of it, we’re fully expecting a new LP from these masters of downer rock by the end of the year. Maybe sometime in November when it would perfectly fit the weather, and Barack “Mr. November” Obama’s campaign …
The National: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Insound
This is a speculative business, so don’t come crying to us if these bands don’t follow through! Remember last year when we predicted a new album from The Shins AND The White Stripes? Well, The Shins were just a little later than we thought, and … let’s not talk about The White Stripes. That one still stings. So, what albums are YOU looking forward to this year? Let’s get some chatter going.
Filed under: Lists, News from Us
Justin Townes Earle just announced he’s releasing a new record March 27. And the Avett Brothers were just quoted in Rolling Stone as being “right at the finish line” of their new album, whatever that means. I’m looking forward to both!
YES YES YES. I want all of these albums to come true.
So many good albums hopefully coming out. I’d shit myself for a new Sigur Ros, Cat Power, The National, and especially Tallest Man on Earth. Hopefully they all come out before the Mayan Calendar ruins us all.