Words by Declan Whelan January 30, 2020

January is almost gone and as we do our very best to maintain some level of momentum/ commitment to our New Years’ resolutions, here are some of the artists we hope are resolved to getting their albums out in 2020.

Kendrick Lamar

Rumours have been rapidly gathering pace around the Compton rapper and TDE posterboy’s upcoming album: Apparently it’s heavily rock-influenced and dropping sometime before the middle of the year. Since winning the Pulitzer Prize for DAMN in 2017 there actually hasn’t been a real shortage of new Kung Fu Kenny – the Black Panther Soundtrack springs to mind, but we’ve also had other film-synced tracks and an unusually generous number of feature verses to savour and dissect – but we’re itching to sit with and unpack a new extended play from the king of concept albums (Beyonce is obviously Queen in this hypothetical). 2020 is shaping up to be a huge year for TDE with SZA, Reason and K Dot all overdue a record.

Tame Impala

One we actually know is on the way. Slated for release on February 14, whether you’re loved up or lonelier than Akon in ‘04, Kevin Parker aka Tame Impala has got you covered this Valentine’s Day. Following a string of singles throughout 2019, The Slow Rush is Parker’s fourth studio album and was recorded between Los Angeles and Fremantle studios. The cherry on top? All 12 songs were written, recorded, produced and mixed by the man himself. Sheesh. Only 15 sleeps to go!

Frank Ocean

An album that we’re more hopeful for than expecting. Frank last graced us with an album (two actually if you count his ‘visual album’ Endless) back in 2016 and we think it’s about time he outdid his incredible sophomore LP Blonde. Since then, he’s done his personal brand no damage simply by doing as Frank does: wearing statement t-shirts and a LOT of Prada, starting up a radio show just to share music he likes, and hosting underground raves in NYC. Consider our appetites’ whet after ‘DHL’ and ‘In My Room’. We’re doing everything humanly possible to manifest a new Frank album.

Rihanna

We’re still waiting, Rihanna. After being promised an album in 2019, it’s the end of January 2020 and RiRi fans aren’t too far off fever pitch. The overdue album has of course been delayed by her exploits as the mastermind behind beauty and lingerie labels Savage and Fenty, as well as her dabbling in feature films as a Hollywood actor. On the music side, things have been very quiet. We’re all hoping she brings the noise sooner rather than later. Til then, DJs have our full consent to keep rinsing ‘Work’ and ‘Bitch Better Have My Money’.

Justin Bieber

Don’t pretend you’re not a little interested. The biebs is back with new tunes for the first time since Purpose (excluding features/ remixes). Having weathered the fire-tornado level social media shitstorm following his failed attempt to get ‘Yummy’ to #1, he’s since dropped another single in the form of ‘Get Me’ featuring Kehlani alongside the announcement of his fifth studio album, Changes. Also dropping on Valentine’s Day, we’d recommend not telling your partner about listening to this on release day if you’re in a relatively new relationship. You’re welcome.

Run The Jewels

Self-explanatory. Killer Mike and El-P are hands down, two of the best to ever do it. Laying on self-titled underground classics, we’re eagerly anticipating the fourth instalment. Pairing experimental and in-your-face production with defiant, politically charged lyricism they also happen to be two of the nicest and in-the-know people in the rap game. If you haven’t seen Trigger Warning, Killer Mike’s Netflix series where he crosses over from rap-star to activist and shines a light on social issues impacting black communities, do yourself a favour. Killer Mike calling a white kindergarten kid an ally in episode two was one of the best TV moments of 2019. Here’s hoping Run The Jewels 4 lands this year and wins a Grammy.

Lil Wayne

In the back half of 2018, the best rapper alive in ‘05 gave fans a throwback album and by all accounts, Tha Carter V was a huge hit. While his take on hip-hop is not for everyone (and the less said about his ambitions as a pro skater the better), Weezy has been one of the most influential voices in rap music over the last two decades and we’re excited to see where he takes things with Funeral. Thankfully we don’t have to wait too long for this one. Funeral drops tomorrow. Lesgo.