As we embark on another 12 months of hopefully great music, we thought we’d have a quick look at some of the already-announced albums we’re looking forward to listening to in the early part of 2015. Obviously there will be some other debuts and records that come out of nowhere (will we finally get the second My Vitriol long player? Are Ride going to back up festival appearances with new material?) to enjoy and, as ever, we’re excited for releases from the likes of Alcopop!, BSM, TopShelf Records and many more. We hope you are enjoying a happy new year and do let us know the records you’re excited about via a comment, tweet or Facebook page.
Menace Beach – ‘Ratworld’ (19 January)
With a sound akin to Mansun meeting Pavement via Dinosaur Jr, we can’t wait to kick off the year with this record. Wisely taking their time to make it after some highly acclaimed EPs, Menace Beach have just finished a tour with Pulled Apart By Horses and we think this is going to be loud, brash and drenched in glorious feedback and noise.
Belle and Sebastian – ‘Girls In Peacetime Want to Dance’ (19 January)
Belle and Sebastian will release their ninth (ninth!) album in mid-January and it’s sure to be the perfect accompaniment to the cold winter evenings. Jangly and gorgeous indie-pop, we expect they’ll play to the strengths that have made them such a beloved institution, although first single ‘The Party Line’ had a disco vibe.
The Charlatans – ‘Modern Nature’ (26 January)
The Charlatans have gone through so much in their long career but have always overcome the adversity with an unbeatable series of defining albums. Judging by the early reviews of ‘Modern Nature’, it could be their best since 2001’s ‘Wonderland’. With a more soulful, Americana-lead approach hinted on ‘So Oh’, we’re excited to what could be one of the most heartfelt and subtly optimistic albums of 2015.
Team Me – ‘Blind as Night’ (26 January)
The Norwegian indie-poppers’ debut album ‘To the Treetops!’ was one of the finest, most joyous records of 2012 and after three long years and a couple of amazing EPs, we finally get its full-length follow-up. Mixing the exuberant glee of the Polyphonic Spree or Sufjan Stevens with traditional pop sensibilities, ‘F is for Faker’ hinted at a more angry – but no less exuberant – sound this time around!
Idlewild – ‘Everything Ever Written’ (9 February)
One of the surprise announcements of 2014 was Idlewild’s return to the scene. With Roddy Woomble’s solo career going well and Rod Jones busy with The Birthday Suit, it may have been unexpected to hear news of new Idlewild shows and an album but it was most definitely welcome. A much-loved band, we hope for more big choruses and great lyrics – and a few festival performances to boot!
Dutch Uncles – ‘O Shudder’ (23 February)
2013’s ‘Out of Touch in the Wild’ saw Dutch Uncles firmly establish themselves as one of the UK’s most exciting bands. Already having inspired Paramore with 2011’s ‘Cadenza’, the Stockport five-piece were then lucky enough to head on a European tour with them. ‘In n Out’ shows the band have lost none of their ability to mix Steve Reich-style complexities with a charming pop sound. We expect EVERYONE to be copying Duncan Wallis’ dance moves come Christmas party season in 2015.
Laura Marling – ‘Short Movie’ (23 March)
When Laura Marling unveiled her press shot for ‘Short Movie’, it was highly revealing she was clutching an electric guitar. Could we be seeing one of our most talented singer-songwriters turning up the volume for her fifth album in eight years? The title track may be more acoustic-based but finds a passionate Laura increasingly agitated with the mantra of ‘It’s a short fucking movie’ repeated time and time again… It looks like it will build on the momentum of ‘Once I Was an Eagle’ – and we can’t wait to hear it!
We’re also excited about festival favourites Wolf Alice unveiling their debut album, the long-awaited return of Tellison, the potentially space-themed record from Public Service Broadcasting and the new albums from Frank Turner, Noel Gallagher and Sleater-Kinney (let’s just hope it doesn’t delay the next season of Portlandia…).
Filed under: New music, Preview Tagged: albums of 2015, alternative music, Belle & Sebastian, Belle and Sebastian, Blind as Night, Dutch Uncles, Dutch Uncles - O Shudder, Everything Ever Written, Frank Turner, Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance, Idlewild, Idlewild - Everything Ever Written, indie music, Laura Marling, Laura Marling - Short Movie, Menace Beach, Menace Beach - Ratworld, Modern Nature, music 2015, new album, new albums, new music, Noel Gallagher, Norway, Norway music, O Shudder, Portlandia, Public Service Broadcasting, Ratworld, Roddy Woomble, Short Movie, Sleater-Kinney, Team Me, Team Me - Blind as Night, Tellison, The Charlatan - Modern Nature, The Charlatans, Tim Burgess, Wolf Alice