FKA Twigs
2022 is overflowing with the promise of great new music. Last August, Beyoncé revealed to Harper’s Bazaar that she had been in the studio for a year and a half. Swifites, on the other hand, are holding out for Taylor Swift’s marathon sprint through the re-recording of her old albums. Could Speak Now or 1989 be next? We’re also still holding out for SZA’s new album, but no word yet on anything official. And finally, as all of us have been hoping for years, there’s always the possibility that Rihanna will grace us with the release of her ninth album. Only time will tell what’s next for music’s megastars, but, thankfully, we have these 8 confirmed releases to look forward to in 2022.
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The first Monday of the year began with The Weeknd breaking free from his After Hours shenanigans and into a new era. A video snippet he posted to Instagram explains dawn FM is “a new sonic universe from the mind of The Weeknd” and will feature Tyler, the Creator, Quincy Jones, Lil Wayne, Oneohtrix Point Never and Jim Carrey. Looks like we’re in for another album cycle of Abel Tesfaye going full method.
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Technically a mixtape, Capri Sun is nevertheless new music from the British artist. No, the title is not in reference to the sugary juice box drink reminiscent of childhood. “Us capri babies be so cute and prolific but don’t cross us cause we never ever forget,” FKA Twigs wrote on Instagram ahead of putting out “tears in the club” featuring The Weeknd. The mixtape's lead single is her first release under Atlantic Records.
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Following 2018's stellar Palo Santo, Night Call presents Years and Years, for the first time since its 2010 inception, as the solo project of Olly Alexander. “I put all my frustration, loneliness, hope, horniness, grief and optimism into making a really fun record I could dance to, I’m so excited to put this out and share it with you all,” Alexander wrote on Instagram.
See also: 11 Highly Anticipated Movies Premiering in 2022
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Sad girls found joy when Mitski announced her sixth album would be out in February. Over three years since the widely-acclaimed Be the Cowboy, Laurel Hell is the final product of the indie singer and longtime producer Patrick Hyland’s efforts throughout the pandemic. “‘I needed love songs about real relationships that are not power struggles to be won or lost,” said in a statement obtained by NME. “[It became] more uptempo and dance-y. I needed to create something that was also a pep talk.”
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After her SNL performance was cancelled, we are more excited than ever to hear what the British singer has in store for her fifth studio album (her last contractual obligation to Atlantic Records). In an interview with Refinery29, she explained this new album is leaving behind hyperpop for more maximalism. “I’m just very into making ultimate pop music, and the whole album is very contrasting from how I'm feeling now,” she said. “I’m exploring what it means to be a pop star on a major label in a not very current way. And that's really fun to me.”
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Since her 2013 debut, Night Time, My Time, Sky Ferreira has tiptoed her way to a sophomore album. She’s collaborated with the likes of Charli XCX and Iceage and even had a few acting stints, and now the rumors seem more solid than ever that Masochism is near. In an October Instagram post, Ferreira said a new music release date had been confirmed. She neglected to share the date, but Paper reported it is likely in March.
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On the BBC’s Dumathon last November, drummer Matt Helders said the Arctic Monkeys’ next album was “pretty much” done. Now, this may not be a release confirmation, but they are lined up for quite the tour during August and September, not to mention a headlining set at Reading and Leeds Festival. It seems like more than an opportune time to put out new music, considering it’s already been in the works.
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We may not know the date when Paramore will release their next album, but we know it’s coming. Hayley Williams emerged from her social media exit in late 2021 to say just so, so we know she means business. Via newsletter, she said, “Thank y’all so much for the incredible support these last couple years. I know we didn’t get to properly come together to sing and vent and sweat it all out…but I do think that Petals and descansos lived exactly the lives they were meant to. Besides, Paramore can’t be ‘on a break’ forever now can we? I love y’all. See you sometime next year?”
Photography by: Virisa Yong/BFA.com
