This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at McGill chapter.

Get your playlists ready because 2015 is promising to be one of the best years musically yet. With albums set to be released by fan favorites, all the way from Adele to Drake, music lovers around the world are waiting in anticipation to see what the new year brings. Here is a list of the top 8 most anticipated albums set to be released in 2015.

1. Adele, TBA– Although a mysterious Tweet left the world thinking a new album would be released in 2014, this songstress has yet to come out with anything new. Since the debut of her second album 21 in 2011, Adele has won 6 Grammy Awards, 3 American Music Awards, became a mother, and got engaged. Fans are anxious to see how all her positive success has influenced her music writing, as she is notorious for her powerful break-up songs. No date has currently been set for when the follow-up album will be released and all Adele’s producer Paul Epworth has had to say it that it “will come when it’s ready”.

2. Rihanna, TBA– Even though it seems like there is always a new Rihanna song playing on the radio, it has been two years since this singer released a new album. While no official title has been confirmed, fans have taken to calling what will be Rihanna’s eighth studio album “R8.. It is promised to include several powerful ballads and songs with “hardhitting beats that are edgier, similar to a Hudson Mohawke style”. The new album will also supposedly include a song entitled “Buritos.” It’s about time someone wrote a song about the world’s favourite snack food.

3. Florence and the Machine, TBA– Known for her impressive vocal range, British-based singer Florence Welch is releasing her third studio album sometime this year. Just when “Dog Days” is finally getting out of people’s heads, the songstress has promised another dark, dreamy album filled with her whimsical vocals and poetic lyrics. Welch has a hectic touring schedule ahead of her, as well, with performances lines up at Coachella, the Governor’s Ball, and Bonnaroo just to name a few.

4. Drake, View from the 6– The world is expecting great things from the man who gave us YOLO. In the span of five years, the favourite Canadian rapper has already come out with 3 highly successful studio albums, been featured on countless collaborations, and is a Grammy winner. It’s said that this new album has been in the works for almost two years. It’s safe to say that this former Degrassi actor will fail to disappoint.

5. Radiohead, TBA– This is one of the rare bands that continues to stand the test of time. Radiohead, which has been going strong since 1985, has released 8 albums and sold 30 million copies worldwide. This will be their newest album since the independent release of 2011’s The King of the Limbs. Known for experimenting with musical styles and instrumentation, as described on Buzzfeed, “you never know what you’re going to get with these guys.” Whatever Radiohead comes up with on the untitled album, it is bound to be as incredible as ever.

6. Britney Spears, TBA– After over 15 years in the music industry, you would think we would have our fill of Britney Spears. But fans are just as eager for the release of her ninth studio album as ever. After all, it’s Britney, b*tch. While not a lot of information has been leaked about the upcoming album, rumours are circulating that her first single will feature Iggy Azalea (who seems to be collaborating with anyone and everyone). Britney has also divulged that there will be a lot of personally inspired songs on the album, most likely referring to her latest break up with David Lucado. In an interview with On Demand Entertainment, she said “I’m going to have a lot of ‘I hate men’ songs and then a lot of ‘I love men’ songs”.

7. Lana Del Rey, Honey Moon– Fans were delightfully surprised to learn this international pop star would be coming out with her fourth studio album in summer 2015, less than a year since her chart-topping Utlraviolence was released. Even better yet, it was just announced she will be touring with none other than Courtney Love (yes, the late Kurt Cobain’s wife) this summer. Del Rey has said that the new album will be similar in style to her second album, Born to Die, famous for its sad lyrics and vintage tone.

8. Kendrick Lamar, TBA– This rapper and song-writer, who has described his music as “human music,” is scheduled to release an album in later 2015. Lamar has already released his first single “i” and performed an untitled song as the last musical guest ever on Colbert, both of which fans have gone crazy over. Lamar, for the most part however, has been staying mum on what to expect off the new album. As he told BuzzFeed, “I can’t tell you anything about the album, except it’s going to blow you away.”

If one thing is for sure, the music of 2015 is sure to not disappoint. Better clear space in your iTunes library because you are going to be non-stop downloading the latest hits from your favorite musicians!

Sources:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/kelleydunlap/2015-will-be-the-best-year-for-music#.ir8Z8G3jjD

http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6436373/adele-paul-epworth-talks-21-followup-album-and-new-projects

http://www.spin.com/articles/adele-new-record-quite-different/

http://jezebel.com/the-rihanna-rihport-emergency-song-snippet-edition-1663405786

http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyid=12793419&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID

http://www.musicandwisdom.com/kendrick-lamar-talks-j-cole-xxl-freshmen-kid-cudi-human-music/

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/ceremonials-20111101

http://www.thefader.com/2014/06/04/cover-story-lana-del-rey-is-anyone-she-wants-to-be

http://www.mtv.com/news/1943430/britney-spears-ninth-album-details-video/

http://www.nme.com/news/radiohead/29715

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/drake-mn0001035294