Most Anticipated Albums of 2021

Happy New Year! Now is when we look ahead to the upcoming albums from our favorite artists. While the list is far from complete (2020 taught us to be very realistic about scheduling!), these first-quarter releases offer plenty of sonic richness. From brooding Scottish fare (Arab Strap, Mogwai) to indie folk (Ani DiFranco, Julien Baker, Langhorne Slim) and emerging international superstars (Arlo Parks, Kiwi Jr., Tash Sultana), 2021 has lots of gems in store.

Other albums remain in the “speculative” category: will 2021 finally see the release of Chromatics’ ever elusive Dear Tommy album that’s been teased since 2014? Will this year end the 13-year dry spell for The Cure? When will we pack into tiny clubs and crowded festival fields for our live music fix? Time will tell. Until then, mark your calendars for these dates. Pre-order links are included where available.

JANUARY

8th
Aaron Frazer – Introducing (Easy Eye Sound) | pre-order

15th
Pearl Charles – Magic Mirror ( Kanine Records) | pre-order
Shame – Drunk Tank Pink (Dead Oceans) | pre-order

22nd
Kiwi Jr. – Cooler Returns (Sub Pop) | pre-order
Still Corners – The Last Exit (Wrecking Light Records) | Bandcamp & iTunes
Yung – Ongoing Dispute (PNKSLM Recordings) | Bandcamp and label’s store

29th
Ani DiFranco – Revolutionary Love (Righteous Babe) | pre-order
Arlo Parks – Collapsed in Sunbeams (Transgressive) | pre-order
The Besnard Lakes – The Besnard Lakes Are the Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings
(Drift/Full Time Hobby) | pre-order
Langhorne Slim – Strawberry Mansion (Dualtone) | pre-order
Lucero – Where You Found Me (Thirty Tigers) | pre-order

FEBRUARY

5th
Aaron Lee Tasjan – Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan! (New West Records) | pre-order
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets – SHYGA! The Sunlight Mound (Marathon Artists) | pre-order
The Staves – Good Woman (Nonesuch) | pre-order
The Weather Station – Ignorance (Fat Possum Records and Next Door Records) | pre-order

12th
Django Django – Glowing in the Dark (Ribbon Music) | pre-order

19th
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians – Hunter and the Dog Star (Thirty Tigers) | pre-order
The Hold Steady – Open Door Policy (Frenchkiss) | pre-order
Landlady – Landlady (self-released) | Bandcamp
Mogwai – As the Love Continues (Rock Action) | pre-order
Tash Sultana – Terra Firms (Sony Music AUS / Mom+Pop) | pre-order

26th
Cloud Nothings – The Shadow I Remember (Carpark Records) | pre-order
Julien Baker – Little Oblivions (Matador) | pre-order
Menahan Street Band – The Exciting Sounds of Menahan Street Band (Daptone) | pre-order

MARCH

5th
Arab Strap – As Days Get Dark (Rock Action) | pre-order
POSTDATA – Twin Flames (Paper Bag) | pre-order
Sun June – Somewhere ( Run for Cover Records and Keeled Scales) | pre-order
Teenage Fanclub – Endless Arcade (Drift/Merge) | pre-order

12th
Israel Nash – Topaz (Loose Records) | pre-order

19th
Steve Earle & The Dukes – J.T. (New West Records) | pre-order

April

9th
London Grammar – Californian Soil (Ministry of Sound) | pre-order

TBA

Arcade Fire
Broken Bells
Cherry Glazerr
Chromatics – Dear Tommy
The Cure
Desperate Journalist
Fear of Men
Hand Habits
IAN SWEET
Iceage
Illuminati Hotties
Japanese Breakfast
Julia Jacklin
Liz Phair – Soberish
Lykke Li
Mannequin Pussy
Modest Mouse
Molly Burch
My Bloody Valentine
My Morning Jacket
Snail Mail
Spoon
St. Vincent
The War On Drugs
Weyes Blood