My Most Anticipated - 2020

I did a post like this at the beginning of last year and found it really fun to make predictions & do research about what music would be coming out in the new year. Since I have last years to work off of, I'll make my predictions for this year, and then talk about last years. Somethings I was right on about, and some were quite far off.

Confirmed:

Halsey - Manic (January 17th)

• I'll be honest, I haven't been super jazzed about all the lead up singles to Halsey's third album. I am still excited to see where she goes on her latest release. "Nightmare" and "Finally // beautiful stranger" both revealed a range of sounds and themes. They show that many things that Halsey has been dealing with in her personal life are going to included on this album. As she has done in the past, she will transform those struggles into some vulnerable and raw music.

Tame Impala - The Slow Rush (Feburary 14th)

• Five years have passed since Tame Impala's last release - a long time to build anticipation. Currents was a remarkable album, one that has aged well and still feels fresh. Following that up will be difficult, but Kevin Parker has a sense of thoughtfulness and intentionality about him. This gives me faith in the way he has decided to approach this new album.

The 1975 - Notes On A Conditional Form (February 21st):

• Despite this album having a release date for last year, it was delayed until this year. We've seen three singles released, which give clear indications of the band's direction. They are continuing on their path of inspiring the masses towards something better. I recently listened to some of the songs off their debut album, and was marveling at the growth this band has made in a short amount of time. Always intrigued to see where this band is going next.

Speculation/Likely:

PVRIS - Untitled LP (L)

• When I reviewed their latest EP, I watched through an interview the members of the band. In it, they loosely confirmed that there will be an album out to follow up the EP. 2020 seems like prime time for the band to continue on with remaking their image and sound.

Simple Creatures (S)

• While I haven't heard any confirmation that the project between Mark Hoppus and Alex Gaskrath will be releasing a full length album, it seems inevitable. The chemistry created by these two collaborators is undeniable, and the resulting music is some of the best alternative-pop I've heard in a long time.

grandson (L)

• grandson has been riding a huge wave of momentum, and I don't see that changing as we head into the new year. Given the impending US election in November of this year, it would make sense for grandson to pull out all the stops and go even harder in what will surely be a tense and volatile political season.

Angels & Airwaves (L)

• When the band put out two new singles last year, I thought that we would be getting the new album in 2019. Since we didn't, I imagine that the latest release from UFO hunter Tom DeLonge and crew will hit the airwaves this year. Delonge's posts have contained a lot of excitement, and continues to build the anticipation for the band's first full length album in over six years.

My Chemical Romance (S)

• I don't think this will happen, but I also didn't think the band would reunite again on the stage. But 2019 saw the boys back together again, so who is to say that we won't see new music from the reigning kings of Emo?

Revisiting My Most Anticipated of 2019:

What I was right on:

• Blink-182: The follow up to California arrived in the fall of 2019. Whether it was good or not is one thing, but it's here and out in the world for us to consume.

• grandson (x2): We got not only one EP, but two from this raging and rising star. Both showed growth that exceeded my expectations in a multitude of ways. It makes me even more thrilled for his full length debut album (which should be out this year).

• From Indian Lakes: While it came a little later in the year than I expected, Dimly Lit was well worth the wait. Spotify (though it had very limited data) told me that From Indian Lakes was my artist of the last decade. I don't know if they were my top artist, but they have definitely been one of my favorites. From the first day I heard them open for The Maine and Anberlin, through the three albums released since. From Indian Lakes has kept me coming back for more and more.

What didn't happen:

• Paramore: It makes sense that the band decided to take time off - they've been working nearly nonstop for quite a few years now. I was excited to hear, however, that we will be getting some solo material from Hayley Williams this month. Very curious to hear what that will sound like, and what direction she will take us.

• Linkin Park: I didn't actually expect that this would happen - the band is still in a state of finding their groove in the wake of Chester's death. Will we ever hear another album from the band? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Either way, I do not ever want to seem like I am expecting, even demanding the band to release something again. If they do, it'll be when they're ready in the time and way that they feel most comfortable doing so.

• Walk The Moon: We got three different singles from the band, so I expected them to put out an album - but alas, no album. 2020 might see a new full length, since it's been two years since What If Nothing. Likely in the late summer or fall, if it happens.

• The 1975 (delayed): This one felt like a bit of a letdown, considering how much the band talked about the album coming out in May of 2019. May came and went and still no album, but I can't say I was that surprised. Releasing two full length albums within six months of each other is a daunting challenge. But we (should) see the new album actually drop next month, which seems much more reasonable and likely.