2016 already looks like it will be an incredible year for music. We take a look at some of our favourite anticipated albums so far. See what lies ahead this year!
Flatbush ZOMBiES – 3001: A Laced Odyssey – (11/3/16)
Beast Coast collective Flatbush ZOMBiES have finally announced a release date for their 
upcoming début album 3001: A Laced Odyssey. Previous mixtapes D.R.U.G.S. (2012) and BetterOffDEAD (2013) helped the trio explode onto the east-coast hip-hop scene as their grimy, dark and hypnotic style both shocked and surprised listeners. In 2012 they dropped a selection of tracks in their Day Of The Dead series featuring artists such as Skepta, Joey Bada$$, The Underachievers’ Issa Gold, Domo Genesis and many others. This January, the group teased their new album through a tribute to Notorious B.I.G. and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony’s historic ‘Notorious Thugs’ in their track entitled ‘Glorious Thugs’. We hope that their quality of music continues to rise in the new album as their unique characterisation, haunting beats and provocative lyricism have already impressed and attracted both fans and critics.
Hear it here: Flatbush ZOMBIES – Glorious Thugs
Jack Garratt – Phase – (19/2/16)
Winning BBC’s Sound Of 2016 award, singer and multi-instrumentalist Jack Garratt is 
clearly one to look out for. Extremely talented and hard-working, he has put out two EPs in the last year with this album being his début. Previous singles ‘Weathered’, ‘Chemical’ and ‘The Love You’re Given’ will feature on the album along with new single ‘Breathe Life’ which was recently named Radio 1’s Hottest Record in The World on Annie Mac’s show. Bringing the talent and originality of indie music to the forefront, this album is set to change the tides of popular music by providing elements of indie pop, drum and bass, soul, trip-hop and PBR&B.
Hear it here: Jack Garratt – Breathe Life
The 1975 – I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It – (26/2/16)
Indie pop/alternative rock band The 1975 first teased a sequel to their 2013 self-titled 
album in June last year. Frontman Matt Healy shared a blurred Instagram image of a playlist entitled ‘The 1975 2′ and fans’ anticipation began. Both the initial singles ‘Love’ and ‘UGH!’ are vibrant, funky tributes to the musical era of the ’80s – a stark contrast to the band’s previous releases which were moody and dark in tone. This change is style is similarly reflected in the band’s neon music videos, pink single covers and bright aesthetic. Despite this move, emotion and pain can still be heard in The 1975’s music as Healy writes of overcoming a cocaine addiction and dealing with loneliness along with the passing away of his grandmother. The album is set to be intricately produced with a heavy electronic influence whilst simultaneously maintaining the nostalgic style the band seek to embody on this record.
Hear it here: The 1975 – UGH!
ROAM – Backbone – (22/1/2016)
British pop-punk that sounds British rather than American is often hard to find. 
But, Hopeless Records’ new signing ROAM are an exception. The band sound like if Neck Deep met Sum-41 in a teenager’s garage. The current wave of pop-punk is channelling its power into holding true to its roots in punk, which is refreshing since pop-punk of the late 2000’s had begun to become incredibly dainty and seek chart success at the cost of dignity and quality. ROAM premiered a new single ‘Deadweight’ last October which features guest vocals from Set Your Goals’ vocalist Matt Wilson and sets the bar for the project with its charging guitars, pounding bass and hard vocals in addition to a typically melodic chorus. This début album could place ROAM firmly on the map and prove that the UK can produce its own brand of pop-punk along with Moose Blood and Trash Boat.
Hear it here: ROAM – Deadweight
Dates to be confirmed…
- Flume – Skin
- The XX – TBC
- Run The Jewels – RTJ3
- Chance The Rapper – TBC
- Frank Ocean – TBC
- De La Soul – And The Anonymous Nobody
- Tony D & Locksmyth – The Tone and Smyth Show II
- Fliptrix & Illinformed – TBC
- Blink 182 – TBC
- Sum 41 – TBC
- Brand New – TBC
- RAT BOY – TBC
- The Shins – TBC
- Vampire Weekend – TBC
Revivals
- Metallica
- LCD Soundsystem
- Radiohead
- Bloc Party
- Missy Elliott
Written by: James Wijesinghe
Reverb Music 