This year has been pretty big so far in terms of comebacks. We've had new releases from Tyler, The Creator, Lana Del Rey, Lorde and now Lizzo is back too. There's plenty to sink our teeth into but as always we're looking for more. There have been plenty of comebacks that have been teased or hinted at and now we're going to put them on blast. These are the artists that we need to hear from before the year is out. 

Rihanna

We talk about Rihanna's comeback every year and every year we've been clowned. Rihanna has had a good year without music. She's now a billionaire thanks to her Fenty empire and quite frankly could step away from music without affecting that fortune. This year, she's been spotted leaving recording studios in New York and was also seen on the set of a music video set with boyfriend A$AP Rocky. We're still not sure whether it's for Rocky's forthcoming project All Smiles or hers but we're hoping it'd the latter. Could 2021 finally be the year?

A$AP Rocky and Rihanna filming a music video in the Bronx over the weekend. Need to see this video ASAP. pic.twitter.com/v7WZERYqtL

— Pigeons & Planes (@PigsAndPlans) July 12, 2021

Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean has been absent for a while now. In 2019, he launched a New York club night Prep+ and followed it up with a few standalone releases. Then, he disappeared. He's been dealing with family tragedy and also had his festival appearances cancelled due to COVID. Last week, however, he reappeared with the announcement of a new luxury brand Homer and a store for the brand in New York. While announcing the brand on Instagram he wrote, "there is so so much I'm excited to share with all of you." Let's hope that includes music. 

Frank Ocean for Homer pic.twitter.com/hvD0KA4mxO

— ??????? (@blondedvibes) August 6, 2021

Kanye West

Weeks ago, we wouldn't have put Kanye in a list like this because it really looked like DONDA was about to drop. Now, he's held two listening parties and pushed the release date twice. Currently, it doesn't seem like there's a release date set for it. The album looks to feature JAY-Z, Kid Cudi, The Weeknd, Lil Baby and more. Judging by reports from the listening party, it's sounding great. It would be even better if we could hear it too. 

Beyoncé

Just this week in a Harpers Bazaar feature announcing her new Ivy Park collection, Beyonce promised that there was new music on the way. She revealed that she has been in the studio for a year and a half working on the official solo follow-up to Lemonade saying, "Yes, the music is coming!” As is always the case with Bey, we're probably not going to know when to expect it until we actually have it.

Adele

Adele's last album was named after her age 25. She's now 33 years-old and we still don't have the follow-up. Fans went into a frenzy last year when it was announced that she would be appearing on SNL but during it she announced the album is not finished. Since then, we've basically had no word on when to expect a new Adele project. The rumour mill says to expect it this year but we've been hurt before. 

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj ducked away for a bit to have a baby and now she's back dangling her fifth album above us. Earlier in the year, she release her mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty to streaming services with three new songs but we're still awaiting the lead-single from the album. Collaborations with Bia and Polo G have kept us fed but we're looking for NM5 now. 

Solange

Solange's last album was 2019's When I Get Home which came three years after A Seat At The Table. We're used to waiting for new Solange because we know she always arrives when she's ready. Earlier this month, however, she surprised everyone by jumping on Instagram Live and testing out a new song. It sounds like exactly what we need now and even though it sounds like a sketch at least we know she's been cooking up something. 

Solange has previewed a new song on her Instagram Live, singing it to a live audience.



Watch here: pic.twitter.com/1LzU8XcY0w

— SOLANGE SPACE (@solangespace) August 6, 2021

SZA

Technically SZA has come back. She released Hit Different last year and then followed it up with Good Day. At that point we assumed the album was coming but we were wrong. She teased a new song Shirt at the end of the Good Day video clip but even that hasn't arrived yet. Then she gave us a sucker punch by saying she was about to "scrap" the new album. She clarified that she was "half-joking" but given we still don't have it we're wondering whether she actually was. 

Janelle Monáe

2018 was the last time we had a full-length project from Janelle Monáe. Dirty Computer was a triumph, garnering her a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year but since then she's been pretty quiet on the music front. She's contributed to a handful of film soundtracks but we're craving a full, conceptual era from Monáe. You can't blame her from the absence of music though. She's been working on a bevy of films from Antebellum to Knives Out 2. 

FKA twigs

Last year, FKA twigs revealed that she'd made a whole album during lockdown. She made it with Rosalia producer El Guincho and in October 2020, she said she was "just finishing" the project. Then earlier this year, she released Don't Judge Me with Headie One and Fred Again.. but since then we've had nothing. We're not sure if post-lockdown she's decided to shelve the album but we're hoping not.