15 New Pop Albums We’re Anticipating in 2015

Here we are, fresh at the top of another year in music, and 2015 looks to be quite a doozy. With new albums on the horizon from Rihanna, Coldplay, Madonna and Kelly Clarkson, it’s already shaping up to be quite an interesting year for radio. However, the burning question on everyone’s mind: Will Adele finally make her grand return? I guess we’ll have to wait to find out. Check out our 15 most-anticipated albums of 2015 below:

Rihanna / R8 / Any day now

Hard to believe, but it’s been almost two-and-a-half years since Rihanna released her last studio set, the dark-and-twisty, Unapologetic. So at this point, it’s a safe bet that a new Rihanna record should be blasting in headphones everywhere soon. Judging by the recent leak of a dance-y new demo called “World Peace,” it looks like we can expect some more fabulous disco ditties to be hitting radio any day now. Also, the fact that RiRi has been in the studio with sizzling music ladies Kiesza and Sia doesn’t hurt, either.

Meghan Trainor / Title / Out now

Already expected to be one of the biggest hits of the year, Ms. Trainor’s hotly anticipated full-length debut, Title, is already packing plenty of chart heat, thanks to back-to-back smash singles, “All About That Bass” and “Lips Are Movin’,” and also that hearty handful of Grammy nominations she’s notched on her bouncing belt. Much like she did in 2014, expect Ms. Trainor to keep ruling the music world in 2015, as well.

Mark Ronson / Uptown Special / January 13th

Another buzz-worthy album that is perfectly poised for year-long chart domination is Ronson’s funka-licious, Uptown Special, thanks to the success of the Bruno Mars-assisted lead single, “Uptown Funk,” which, by the way, just kicked Taylor’s “Blank Space” out of the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. With its classic sound and guest stars like Mars and “Shake Ya Ass” spit-ster, Mystikal, expect Mr. Ronson’s breakthrough debut to get us funked up all year long.

Fergie / TBA

It’s been nearly a decade since her last solo outing, The Dutchess, but after getting married to actor Josh Duhamel, giving birth to son Axl, and finally getting away from Will.i.am, Ms. Fergie Ferg is gearing up for round two. Expect a buffet of beats and gummy grooves, which will be provided by DJ Mustard and Miley’s BFF and “We Can’t Stop” hit-maker, Mike Will. Hey, it’s Fergie’s long-awaited party and she can do what she wants.

Justin Bieber / TBA

It’s been so long since The Biebs has been anywhere near the music scene, stemming from his highly publicized personal issues that have pulled focus away from the fact that at one point he actually had a legit career. However, it’s been confirmed by Bieber’s long-time manager, Scooter Braun, that the fallen pop prince is indeed in the studio with none other than Michael Jackson’s son, Prince. Yes, it will be quite interesting to see how this one plays out. Maybe a duet with Ariana? Now, that would be something. Hey, at least he’s got Calvin Klein for now …

Kelly Clarkson / TBA

After releasing a greatest hits album, tying the knot and having baby girl River, it looks as if Ms. Kelly is ready to belt her way back to the top of the pop charts again. The original American Idol just released the first single, the anthemic “Heartbeat Song.”

Coldplay / A Head Full Of Dreams / TBA

Get the tissues ready: According to frontman Chris Martin, Coldplay’s 2015 studio set may be their last. In a recent interview with People magazine, Martin stated, “It’s our seventh thing, and the way we look at it, it’s like the last Harry Potter or something.” However, not to worry, other rock acts Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Modest Mouse and Empire Of The Sun are all aiming to blow out amplifiers all year long.

Madonna / Rebel Heart / March 10th

Another release that will play out in a most interesting way, since the Material Girl was “forced” to release six full songs at the close of last year, stemming from a leak of what seemed like a hundred “Rebel Heart” demos. What we also know so far is that collaborators Avicii, Diplo and Natalia Kills are on board, and six more tracks are set to be released on Feb 10th, with the full album finally arriving on March 10th. In a word, expect another year of #unapologeticbitch everywhere.

Ellie Goulding / TBA

The strobe-lit chanteuse is finally gearing up to release a follow-up set to her magnificent Halcyon sometime this year. While little is known about Ellie’s new record, we can only hope it contains tracks as bright as her previous smashes, “Burn” and “Lights.” In the meantime, her scorching new number “Love Me Like You Do” from the Fifty Shades Of Grey movie will do just fine.

Drake / Views From The 6 / TBA

Speaking of Ms. Goulding, it’s been confirmed that she’s been in the studio with Drake for his upcoming fourth studio set. Get ready for more gutsy grooves and dirty ditties from Nicki Minaj’s BFF … and maybe a few tears along the way.

Giorgio Moroder / 74 Is The New 24 / Spring 2015

The legendary Italian turntable mastermind is set to release his first studio album in nearly 30 years, and with all-star music guests Britney Spears, Sia, Charli XCX, Kylie Minogue all lending their diva dynamics, expect a most sassy set of tantalizing tunes, which will arrive just in time for Coppertone season.

Demi Lovato / TBA

Although the shrieking starlet spent much of last year on the road supporting her previous studio set, Demi, the former X-factor-judging diva has been in the studio hard at work on a follow-up. Expect more powerful anthems and that window-shattering vocal range that we have come to know and love from the “Give Your Heart A Break” singer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxg13GnxpSg

Janet Jackson / TBA

This one may be a bit of a stretch, since it seems like Ms. Janet has been working on the follow-up to 2008’s Discipline for quite some time now. However, recently, longtime Jackson studio engineer Ian Cross reported, “The new album is going to be great. It’s a process. There’s a lot in store, yet to come. I can’t go into too many details, but I think Janet Jackson’s fans are going to be very excited about the new material.” That news certainly gets us “So Excited,” indeed.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis / TBA

After the daring music duo dominated the music scene early last year with their Grammy takeover, they were seemingly absent during the latter half of 2014. However, after a fan complained on Twitter recently to Macklemore about them not having any new music out last year, he simply replied, “You will this year. Believe that.” Besides Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, it’s shaping up to be a banner year for rap and hip-hop, with acts Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco and Kendrick Lamar all aiming to make 2015 their music bitch.

Adele / 26(?) / Hopefully tonight at midnight

This just has be the year that Adele finally steps back into the spotlight, right? Really, with the overseas music extravaganza that exploded all over mainstream radio last year, it’s perfectly clear that all of those other artists (ahem, Sam Smith) were just making room for their English Breakfast tea-sipping music mother. In fact, just this week, new reports surfaced that the 26-year-old chanteuse was logging in studio time with “Happy” hit-maker Pharrell Williams. Whatever the case may be, the world—and the music industry—are certainly thirsty for more soul-numbing tunes from Adele. We’re waiting …

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