Happy New Year! Another year of new albums is upon us. Like most years, the inundation of releases won’t begin for at least a few more weeks. Until then, here are a handful of anticipated albums that will be out in the first few months of 2024. Maybe this is the year we don’t find ourselves perpetually playing catch-up on new music (unlikely).
Sleater-Kinney | photo by Chris Hornbecker // Brittany Howard | photo by Bobbi Rich // Friko | photo by Pooneh Ghana
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PRESS PLAY PREVIEW: 12 Albums We Can’t Wait to Hear in 2024
Preview a dozen early contenders for Best Album of the New Year
Returning Legends
Sleater Kinney – Little Rope (out January 19th)
The beloved indie duo’s 11th album was born from a shocking loss, but the tone is dreamy and grounded. Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker process grief while simultaneously celebrating their nearly three-decade collaboration.
CHECK OUT: “Say it Like You Mean It” “Hell”
The Smile – Wall of Eyes (out January 26th)
Radiohead members Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood reunite with versatile drummer Tom Skinner for their second album as The Smile. This time around the band incorporates the sweeping strings of the London Contemporary Orchestra into their potent art rock.
CHECK OUT: “Wall of Eyes” “Bending Hectic”
J Mascis – What Do We Do Now (out February 2nd)
The Dinosaur Jr guitarist’s fifth album expands on the acoustic textures of his previous solo work; he added drum parts and chiming electric leads, and teamed up with keyboardist Ken Mauri of the B-52’s for additional flourishes.
CHECK OUT: “Can’t Believe We’re Here” “Set Me Down”
The Jesus and Mary Chain – Glasgow Eyes (out March 8th)
Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of their debut single, the Reid brothers are back with their first studio album in seven years. The iconic Mary Chain sound (and attitude) is back with a few more synths added in for good measure.
CHECK OUT: “jamcod”
Modern Favorites
Brittany Howard – WHAT NOW (out February 2nd)
The Alabama Shakes guitarist is back with her funked-up second solo album. Howard co-produced WHAT NOW with Shawn Everett, who previously mixed the Shakes’ Sound & Color.
CHECK OUT: “What Now” “Red Flags”
Mannequin Pussy – I Got Heaven (out March 1st)
Their first release since the rip-roaring Perfect EP, I Got Heaven is poised to be a defining album for Philly’s Mannequin Pussy. A coast-to-coast spring tour wraps up with a two-night homecoming at Union Transfer in late May.
CHECK OUT: “I Don’t Know You” “Sometimes”
Hurray for the Riff Raff – The Past is Still Alive (our February 23rd)
Working with collaborators like Conor Oberst, S.G. Goodman, and Anjimile, Alynda Segarra’s latest HFTRR album explores identity and experience with signature lyrical specificity. Legends of the road and personal reflections are presented with countrypolitan flair.
CHECK OUT: “Alibi”
Yard Act – Where’s My Utopia? (out March 1st)
The Mercury Prize-nominated group recorded their second album with Gorillaz member Remi Kabaka Jr. Though the album doesn’t include recent single “The Trench Coat Museum,” it furthers that track’s fusion of spiky post-punk with progressive rhythms.
CHECK OUT: “Dream Job” “Petroleum”
New Discoveries
The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy (out February 2nd)
The Last Dinner Party’s charming take on baroque pop (not to mention their period-appropriate stage costumes) are already a sensation in the UK. The XPN Artist To Watch discussed their upcoming debut in a recent World Café session.
CHECK OUT: “Nothing Matters” “Sinner”
Friko – Where we’ve been, Where we go from here (out February 16th)
Chicago duo Friko are brimming with energy on the handful of advance tracks from their new album. Veering from rollicking folk rock to overdriven power pop (sometimes within the same song), Friko are addictively unpredictable.
CHECK OUT: “Crimson to Chrome” “Crashing Through”
Middle Kids – Faith Crisis Pt. 1 (out February 16th)
Middle Kids have been teasing out their new third album since last May. Faith Crisis Pt. 1 is the start of a glossy new chapter for the Australian combo.
CHECK OUT: “Highlands” “Dramamine”
Sprints – Letter to Self (out now!)
Dublin rockers Sprints caught our attention last year with the single “Literary Mind,” which also appears on their full-length debut. Best of all, you don’t have to wait to hear the album, since it’s out today!
CHECK OUT: “Up and Comer” “Shadow of a Doubt”