As it's a quiet time of year for live acts, I decided to dedicate a post to some albums which I'm looking forward to hearing upon their (official) releases in the first two months of this year: A$AP Rocky, Foals, Azealia Banks and Palma Violets. These are just my personal picks for albums which I'm looking forward to hearing in January and February, and I'd welcome any more recommendations for LPs to look out for. The experience of sitting down and listening to an album in full for the first time, is still exciting to me after months of demos and live tracks.P.S. I'm aware that some of these albums may have been leaked but being a law-abiding music listener (plus having the worst internet connection in the whole of South Yorkshire) I am yet to hear them!
A$AP Rocky // Long.Live.A$AP
After being pushed back again and again, A$AP Rocky's debut LP is finally set for release in January this month. With collaborations confirmed from Santigold, Kendrick Lamar, 2 Chainz, Drake, Joey Bada$$ and Florence Welch, critical expectations of this release are high. After declaring the NY rap scene as 'dead', Harlem-based A$AP borrows styles from all over the US, merging and twisting them to create a sound which is uniquely his.
Featuring production credits from Hit-Boy ('Clique'/'Niggas in Paris'), Clams Casino (The Weeknd's 'Trilogy'), Danger Mouse, Skrillex and Noah "40" Shebib (Drake's 'Take Care' and Lil Wayne's 'I Am Not A Human Being'), the recipe for potentially the hip-hop album of the year is complete. Adding a polished edge to his natural laid-back flow, which seems to suit pretty much any genre he tackles could well cement the making of a truly original talent. On paper, it can't go wrong. Here's hoping the wait has been worth it.
Due for release January 15th, Polo Grounds/RCA
Foals // Holy Fire
After the teaser of new songs at Queen's Social Club in November last year (see my review here!), it's safe to say that I am 100 percent excited to hear the Oxford quartet's latest offering. 'Inhaler' and 'My Number' so far seem to indicate that Foals have made the ideal third-album- experimenting and growing without losing the original sound that fans know and love. The riffs are heavier, yet they retain the intricate math-rock rhythms we have come to expect from the band. The new material is poppy and catchy, yet distictively 'Foals'. If these singles are anything to go by, 'Holy Fire' is going to follow in the footsteps of 'Total Life Forever' and bring us an album which leaves behind the awkward posturing of their debut, replacing it with a more musically mature LP.
Leaving behind indie-pop producers in favour of synth-rock veterans Flood and Alan Moulder seems to have help the band develop their darker, brooding sound, and add depth to their instrumental harmonies, funky bass and tropical rhythms. To compliment this, Yannis's voice is louder, stronger and more heartfelt than ever before. As a fan of Foals, I'm looking forward to hearing the album in full and hoping for more of the same. The band are on the road again in Spring, by which time they'll have increased the handful of new tracks they played live in Autumn in both quality and quantity.
Due for release 11th February, Transgressive
Azealia Banks // Broke with Expensive Taste
After what seems like years of waiting, Azealia Banks is finally (almost) ready to drop her debut LP, after a stream of EPs, singles and demos in 2012. A prolific writer with a unique style and talent, Banks' album is long overdue. Ever since she seemingly burst onto the scene to assault our ears with the Lazy Jay-sampling '212' I've been intrigued as to whether Banks' success would be a flash in the pan or if she has real staying power. Her 'Fantasea' mixtape gave us a picture of what's to come, but felt a bit miss-matched. However, there were moments of genius, such as stand-out track 'Esta Noche' which blended hip-hop and house over a Montell Jordan track.
With previous producers including Munchi, Diplo and Hudson Mowhawke, Azealia Banks has built up an impressive list of contacts with all the right credentials for a hit record. Her music is exactly what you'd expect from a 21-year-old rapper from NY; brash, bold and full of energy. It's hip-hop which embraces club music rather than shouts over it, and was a breath of fresh air when she first arrived on our radar all those months ago. Ridiculous 'Twitter fights', disappointing diss-tracks and excessive use of the C-word aside, here's hoping she has the substance to finally deliver a solid album that proves she's made her mark. Not that she'd care if it didn't...
Palma Violets // 180
Despite having only one official single released (the double A-side 'Best of Friends' 'Last of the Summer Wine'), London-based Palma Violets have gained a lot of attention, not to mention a loyal fanbase, over the last year or so. After capturing the hearts of NME, who names 'Best of Friends' their single of the year, and the BBC who nominated them in their 'Sound of 2013' poll (although this is not always an indication of success, 'Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong' anyone...?), they've had their stage set for a prosperous 2013.
Signed to Rough Trade and featuring two front-men, comparisons to The Libertines have been lazily drawn by various music publications. To me personally, they'll never have that unique sense of romantic nihilism as The Libertines, but they certainty have the energy and charisma to bring back echoes of Pete and Carl. Regardless, they're making great snippets of good old-fashioned guitar music in their own right, with touches of psychedelia and garage-rock thrown in to the mix for good measure. With their debut being produced by Pulp's Steve Mackey in the band's own Lambeth studio, this record has the potential to be a slice of throughbred British talent. Or at the very least, provide a few catchy choruses for drunk students to bellow at your local indie disco.
Due for release 25th February, Rough Trade
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