The summer is soon upon us, and with that we are expecting a wide variety of big releases within the music world. Since I’m representing WKNC 88.1 FM, I thought it would be best to highlight some of the most anticipated releases that are highly talked about around the station.
As soon as we start off the summer you can expect a wide variety of big name releases.
One of the most anticipated debut albums of the year comes to us courtesy of Sleigh Bells, whose lo-fi dance album Treats is set to drop. The band has skyrocketed to the top of many people’s radar after their highly talked about performances at SXSW put them in the limelight. Expect your eardrums to be blown out May 11.
May 18 looks to be one of the biggest days in recent memory when it comes to music releases. James Murphy’s punk-dance mix known as LCD Soundsystem is set to release their third (and alleged last) album entitled This is Happening. Recorded in a haunted Los Angeles mansion/studio, Murphy and company bring a 65-minute romp that is a slower burn than previous LCD Soundsystem albums. You can already hear a review of it on WKNC’s podcast, SoundOff.
Speaking of the third album being released, Band of Horses is set to release the follow-up to the 2007’s critically acclaimed Cease to Begin, Infinite Arms. Infinite Arms is expected to see the band shift away from their more typical indie rock label for more roots, Americana based sounds. This has all the potential to not only alienate fans of the previous work by Band of Horses, but bring in new ones as well. We’ll just have to wait until May to see.
The American rock duo between Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, better known as The Black Keys, will also be releasing an album the week of May 18. Entitled Brothers, their sixth album is expected to be one of their best, with the band continuing their legacy as an excellent blues-rock band. Did I mention the self-referential cover art?
June is also set to be an exciting month for music this year.
Kicking off the month with a June 1 release, Canadian rockers Born Ruffians will release their anticipated sophomore album Say It. Front man, Luke Lalonde, said about the upcoming album, “we’re trying to make a hit record but in the most genuine way — we just want it to sound like us live… but better.”
A week later, one of the biggest rising names in indie rock, Here We Go Magic, release their second album Pigeons. This looks like it could be one of the best of the summer after the first single off the album Collector has already been praised by various music journalists. This will be their second release within the past year. After being hyped by NME among their list “New Music Tips for 2010,” Here We Go Magic looks to make a much bigger splash in the music world.
Halfway through June sees the latest release from both We Are Scientists and Gaslight Anthem.
We Are Scientists upcoming album Barbara is the first after their break from EMI with many hoping that Barbara will be a return to a stripped down sound that is similar to their debut. This will be the first album the band has released since acquiring new drummer, Andy Burrows, previously from Razorlight.
Punk rock band, The Gaslight Anthem, has scheduled to release American Slang along side their heavy festival schedule on June 15. Front man Brian Fallon has also made the case that, unlike previous efforts, the songwriting in American Slang will be unlike any other release of theirs.
One of the most anticipated releases of the summer is by far M.I.A’s currently untitled record. After the debut of her graphically violent music video for the song “Born Free,” people within the industry are a-buzz about what the full length awaits. Expect it June 29 and expect it to be insane.
There you have it — a few of the biggest releases in the summer. Remember, you can hear them on WKNC 88.1 FM as soon as they are released. These should keep you held over during those long summer days and keep you moving whether or not you’re on campus taking classes, studying abroad or heading to the beach.
