The Scene

The 10 Most Antipated Album Releases of 2012

Published on Thursday, January 12 2012
Written by Tallie Johnson

Music fans, this looks like the year for some serious chart-topping hits! Some albums already have release dates; others have been hinted about on Twitter or by the artists themselves. Here are ten albums to look forward to from your favorite acts in '12:

 

10. T.I.: With a reality TV show, “T.I & Tiny The Family Hustle”, a novel, Power and Beauty, it seems only fitting that he goes back to his first hustle -- music. This will mark his 8th studio release album. He revealed to Billboard that the title might be Troubleman, a fitting name for someone who spent most of 2011 in prison. He could easily pen some songs based on the conflict and struggle to stay on the right path -- could make for some moving songs. Or, maybe the trouble is this man likes living on the edge. Either way, it’s an album that will be worth checking out.

 

9. Tim McGraw: A lot of the anticipation here is when it will finally come out. The album Emotional Traffic is set to drop on January 24. McGraw has spent time in court with Curb Records over the past year for breach of contract. They are due back in court again in July. A 20-year relationship may be dwindling, but hopefully court rulings will not get in the way of the soothing storytelling of this country star. The album includes 12 songs, including a duet with Ne-Yo called "Only Human".

 

8. Aerosmith: Set to be released in the spring, the album will mark the band's return to music after a hiatus as a group. The last original studio album was 2001's Just Press Play. The band’s frontman, Steven Tyler, has won over a new generation of audiences as the quirky judge on "American Idol". For a group that has been producing hits since the '70s and has graced our ears with “Come Together” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” anything they produce is worth a listen.

 

7. Nicki Minaj: The infectious Pink Barbie is not through playing just yet. Some of her singles spawned YouTube sensations (Remember the little girls in pink tutus singing “SuperBass"?). Coming off the success of her debut album, Pink Friday, the follow-up album, entitled Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, is set to be released on Valentine's Day. With no shortage of colorful characters, accents, and playtime fused with pop, Miss Nicki knows how to make radio hits that just stay in your head.

 

6. Willow Smith: She already had adults whipping their hair, teamed up with Nicki Minaj for her single “Fireball”, and toured with Justin Bieber. It's easy to forget she has yet to produce a full album and is not yet even a teenager. With supportive parents, amazing style, and tons of stage presence, she certainly has what it takes to win over the 'tween audience. She proves she can sing with her ever-present YouTube covers. She is signed to RocNation, so there will be no shortage of writers and producers to help churn out some killer songs for this young talent. 

 

5. Taylor Swift:  The girl with the wispy hair and guitar has proven she can relate to audiences with her original storytelling. Her songs of heartbreak and teen angst have produced some great singles. She has grown a lot since her last release in 2006, and as she settles into adulthood, it will be interesting to see how her growing up translates into her music. Maybe it will be a more uplifting album. After all, she has been cast in the film adaptation of the musical Les Miserables. That is something to sing about.   

 

4. Christina Aguilera: A lot has happened with our beloved pint-sized pop star with the big voice. She has been through a divorce, had a child, and is now a judge on “The Voice.” Her last studio album, Bionic, was released in 2010 to mixed reviews. She was supposed to tour, but it was canceled. The album was an eccentric mix of all genres, but this next album is rumored to be more heartfelt. Her voice is iconic, so with the right beats and lyrics, she can’t fail.

 

3. Paul McCartney: At 69, and one-quarter of one of the most iconic bands of all time, there seems to be no stopping Paul. The album, My Valentine, centered on love with romantic ballads, will be released on February 7 just in time for Valentine's Day.  Where is all this love coming from? Maybe his recent marriage has inspired this album. 

 

2. U2: Rumors are swirling that the infamous Irish band may be producing an album this year. They have become known for their activism as much as their music. With 12 studio albums and over 150 million albums sold, audiences will be patient and wait for their next masterpiece.

 

1. Madonna: She’s back! The woman who has inspired so many of today’s pop stars, such as Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, is, at 53, still in phenomenal shape and can always sell out concerts. With a release date schedule in March, fans will have a chance to get a taste of Madonna back in action at the Super Bowl Halftime Show in February. Her new song, “Gimmie All Your Luvin”, featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., is already getting plenty of hype. Welcome back, Madonna, show these young girls how it’s done.

 

A Justin Timberlake album should be on the list, but no talk of one has surfaced. At least if he gets to play Elton John, he may have to record on the soundtrack.

 

Whose Album are you waiting for?

 

- Tallie Johnson, YH Staff