We've reached the mid-way point of the year but things are only just heating up. Here are the releases we're most looking forward to over the next few months from Lizzo to Beyoncé.
Lizzo - Special (15 July)
Lizzo's long-awaited record Special is one of the biggest releases of the year and for good reason. About Damn Time has become a gigantic hit and raised the stakes for the LP. So far we've only heard that and GRRRLS but this week she unveiled the tracklist. We're personally very excited to hear what Coldplay and Everybody's Gay are all about.
Rico Nasty - La Ruinas (22 July)
Rico Nasty dropped her debut album in 2020 but she's already gearing up for another record La Ruinas. It's being billed as a mixtape and looks to be a return to her raucous, heavy-hitting sound if the single Black Punk is anything to go by. She's described it as her "most experimental and vulnerable" yet.
Steve Lacy - Gemini Rights (15 July)
It's been a criminally long time since The Internet's Steve Lacy released a record. Apollo XXI dropped back in 2019 but since then his 2017 single Dark Red has gone viral on TikTok. Everybody is waiting for this new record which has been preceded by singles Mercury and Bad Habit.
Maggie Rogers - Surrender (29 July)
Speaking of a long time in between records, we got Maggie Rogers' debut back in 2019 too. She's ready now to roll on with the sophomore record and it's sounding pretty damn good so far. That's Where I Am and Want Want introduced us to a more rock-ready sound that fits Rogers like a glove.
King Princess - Hold On Baby (29 July)
29th July is going to be stacked. King Princess is gearing up to release her second LP Hold On Baby which she's slowly been rolling out over the months. The official lead-single For My Friends was a stirring ode to her besties while the latest Changed The Locks is a vulnerable ballad produced by Aaron Dessner.
Beyoncé - Renaissance (29 July)
Generally, Beyoncé can't be included on lists like this because she doesn't give any heads up but this time around she's given us time to process. Renaissance is her first solo record since Lemonade and she's promising music that allows us to "release the wiggle". First single Break My Soul delivers on that promise.
Calvin Harris - Funk Wav Bounces Vol.2 (5 August)
We weren't sure if we were ever going to hear another Funk Wav Bounces from Calvin Harris ever again after he toured back into the dance world but here we are. He's back on his groovy bullshit enlisting Dua Lipa and Young Thug for the lead single Potion. There's plenty more where that came from too as Halsey, Normani, 21 Savage, Justin Timberlake and more are billed for the record.
Panic! At The Disco - Viva las Vengeance (19 August)
Brandon Urie is finally back with new music, announcing Viva las Vengeance's August arrival. The band's first album in four years is off to a great start with the title track but there's plenty more to come. The whole album was cut live to tape for the first time which helped Urie stay "honest".
Rina Sawayama - Hold The Girl (2 September)
Rina Sawayama's debut album was a lockdown breakaway introducing her as one of the best new popstars around. Hold The Girl, album number two, is set to solidify that reputation. Lead single This Hell is one of the most engaging pop songs of the year and follow-up Catch Me In The Air is just as tantalising.
The 1975 - Being Funny In A Foreign Language (14 October)
We've got a while to wait for this one but The 1975 have announced that they are plotting their return for October. Lead single Part Of The Band is another curveball from the mix bringing superstar producer Jack Antonoff into the fray for a low-key return. Expect the unexpected as always with The 1975.
