As 2019 begins, the round-the-clock release cycle of the streaming era shows no signs of slowing. The music landscape has changed even further as some artists have released projects without warning or with minimal promotion. Although some of these albums do not yet have a release date, here are some of The Daily Texan’s most anticipated albums of 2019.
Wasteland, Baby! — Hozier/ Release date: March 1
Nearly five years since the release of his 2014 self-titled debut album, Hozier announced that after more than a year’s work, his second album is set to release in early March. The “Take Me to Church” singer released the Nina Cried Power EP in 2018, from which two songs are included in the upcoming 14-track project. The project will hopefully continue to explore the soul, gospel and folk rock-infused sound of the EP while giving listeners some of the same dark and haunting sounds that propelled him into stardom.
TBD — Tame Impala/ Release date: TBD
After the release of Currents in 2015, listeners have been waiting for another project from Kevin Parker, professionally known as Tame Impala. Between collaborations with the likes of Travis Scott, Kali Uchis and Kanye West, fans have gotten teasers of the dreamy, psychedelic pop rock that made Currents so fantastic. In an interview with Billboard last August, Parker gave fans some hope. “I can’t say too much. But (new music is) my main focus right now.”
Weezer (The Black Album) — Weezer/ Release date: March 1
The group’s 12th album and fifth in a series of self-titled, color-coded projects may be its darkest yet. In 2016, Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo related The Black Album to the sound of “The Beach Boys gone bad” in an interview with DIY Mag. The band has since released two singles, including “Can’t Knock the Hustle”, which features electronic, funky and experimental sounds that tease something vivid and fresh on the way.
Revenge of the Dreamers III — Dreamville/ Release date: TBD
Fans of J. Cole and his label, Dreamville Records, are readily anticipating the third installment of Revenge of the Dreamers , a compilation project that puts the spotlight on artists signed to Dreamville such as Ari Lennox, J.I.D and EarthGang to name a few. In 2019, the compilation album has become something much larger than its predecessors, as more than 100 artists and hip-hop producers such as 6lack, Mike WiLL Made-It and Tay Keith were invited to work together on the album over a 10-day period this month.
thank u, next — Ariana Grande/ Release date: Feb. 8
Ariana Grande has been able to channel the turbulent events of the past year, such the death of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller and separation from fiancé Pete Davidson, into a message of female empowerment and self-love. Since the release of her chart-topping album Sweetener and wildly successful single “thank u, next” last year, the pop sensation shows no signs of stopping in 2019. Fans can look forward to the 12-track LP and her Coachella headline in April.
Honorable mentions:
Eternal Atake — Lil Uzi Vert/ Release date: TBD
Notes on a Conditional Form — The 1975/ Release date: TBD
Norman F—ing Rockwell — Lana Del Rey/ Release date: March 29
