Album release dates in January 2020 from top artists, upcoming tours and everything you need to know
2020 looks to be an exciting year for music lovers, with some artists releasing albums that were a long time coming and artists seeking to keep their names in the spotlight, we are seeing genres being reinvented and new and creative ways to keep crowds pumping as the artists light up the stage. We put together a list for all you need to know this January.
Selena Gomez - 'Rare'
Who's on this new album?
Selena Gomez and guest artists like 6lack and Kid Cudi. Mattman & Robin and Finneas of Billie Eilish fame also feature as producers on a track.
What have they done before this?
Two albums - 'Stars Dance' (2013) and 'Revival' (2015).
How will it sound?
Expect more catchy pop, Latin flavored bops and heartfelt ballads.
When can I hear it?
January 10 is the release date, via Interscope Records.
Where do I listen to it?
On streaming platforms like iTunes and Spotify, you can also preorder the album. Tour dates are yet to be announced.
Poppy - 'I Disagree'
Who's on this new album?
YouTube star Poppy and the album will feature her last-ever collaboration with Titanic Sinclair. The album is produced by Chris Greatti and Zakk Cervini.
What have they done before this?
Two albums - 'Poppy.Computer' (2017) and 'Am I a Girl?' (2018).
How will it sound?
Heavy, and post-genre apparently. So, expect a mix of pop and metal.
When can I hear it?
January 10 is the release date, via Sumerian Records.
Where do I listen to it?
On streaming platforms like iTunes, Tidal and Spotify, you can also preorder the album. Tour dates are out here.
Bombay Bicycle Club - 'Everything Else Has Gone Wrong'
Who's on this new album?
The talented guitar rock band Bombay Bicycle Club featuring guests like Billie Marten. Grammy Award-winning producer John Congleton features as producer.
What have they done before this?
Four albums, including their debut album 'I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose' (2009) and their previous release, the Mercury Music Prize-nominated No. 1 album, 'So Long, See You Tomorrow' (2014)
How will it sound?
Expect more indie rock, with smatterings of electronica and world fusion.
When can I hear it?
It will be released on January 17 through Caroline International/Island Records.
Where do I listen to it?
On streaming platforms like iTunes and Spotify, you can also preorder the album. Tour dates are here.
Holy F**k - 'Deleter'
Who's on this new album?
Canadian electronica artistes Holy F**k, featuring guests like Angus Andrew, Pond's Nicholas Allbrook and Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor.
What have they done before this?
2016's 'Congrats', and the band also released the 'Bird Brains' EP in 2017.
How will it sound?
They're electronica wizards - expect a blend of krautrock and deep house.
When can I hear it?
It will arrive on January 17 via Last Gang Records.
Where do I listen to it?
On streaming platforms like iTunes and Spotify, you can also preorder the album. Tour dates are available here.
Nicolas Godin - 'Concrete and Glass'
Who's on this new album?
Nicolas Godin - one-half of electronica duo Air, featuring guests like Cola Boyy, Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor, Kadhja Bonet, Kate NV, and Kirin J Callinan.
What have they done before this?
Besides his work with Air, Godin’s debut solo album 'Contrepoint' came out in 2015, and he later also worked on the soundtrack for 'A Very Secret Service' (2015-present).
How will it sound?
Light, clean, airy, minimalist electronica.
When can I hear it?
It will arrive January 24 via Because Music.
Where do I listen to it?
On streaming platforms like iTunes and Spotify, you can also preorder the album. Tour dates are available here.
Drive-By Truckers - 'The Unraveling'
Who's on this new album?
Rockers Drive-By Truckers, featuring contributions from The Shins’ Patti King, violinist Kyleen King (Brandi Carlile) and North Mississippi All-stars’ Cody Dickinson.
What have they done before this?
Released 11 studio albums prior to this - the two most recent ones were 'American Band' (2016) and 'English Oceans' (2014)
How will it sound?
Expect more analog-recorded, southern-fried alternative country rock.
When can I hear it?
It will arrive on January 31 via ATO Records.
Where do I listen to it?
On streaming platforms like iTunes and Spotify, you can also preorder the album. Tour dates are available here.
Louis Tomlinson
Who's on this new album?
Apart from Louis Tomlinson himself and a band, there are no featured artists confirmed as of yet.
What has he done before this?
Collaborations with Steve Aoki in 'Just Hold On' and Bebe Rexha, also, with Digital Farm Animals in 'Back to You'. Other hits including 'Miss You' and 'Just Like You'.
How will it sound?
A slight redirection from the artist's usual pop towards themes of britpop with less electronic, now featuring additions of acoustic instruments, thumping rock, and slow rock jams.
When can I hear it?
January 31 through Syco Music and Arista Records
Where do I listen to it?
It can be purchased at the official store with vinyl/cd purchases at Amazon. Pre-orders on Amazon Music and iTunes. Louis Tomlinson will be performing a world tour starting March 9 in Barcelona, Spain.
Squarepusher - 'Be Up A Hello'
Who's on this new album?
No collaborations confirmed as of yet.
What has he done before this?
Some hits including 'Dark Steering', 'Beep Street', and 'My Red Hot Car'. Squarepusher has a large list of albums, his first album debuted in 1995 with 'Feed Me Weird Things' and his last release was in 2015 with 'Damogen Furies'.
How will it sound?
Drum and bass, psychedelic electronic, intelligent dance music. The artist boasts a return to analog equipment that he used to develop his sound in the early '90s.
When can I hear it?
January 31 via Warp Records.
Where do I listen to it?
Purchases and pre-orders are on the official website here. Squarepusher will be touring this 2020 with the North American portion of the tour kicking off at Boston’s Royale on April 9.
Kesha - 'High Road'
Who's on this new album?
A few featuring artists: Big Freedia, Brian Wilson, Sturgill Simpson, and Wrabel.
What has she done before this?
One of her earlier hits being 'TiK ToK' and later, 'Blah Blah Blah', Crazy Kids' and 'Timber', excluding a multitude of singles, she has three studio albums 'Animal', 'Warrior' and 'Rainbow'.
How will it sound?
Expect a wide range of sounds and styles including dream-pop ballads and dance-rap bangers.
When can I hear it?
It is scheduled to be released through RCA Records and Kemosabe January 10.
Where do I listen to it?
Connect on YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify and Deezer via her official website here. Kesha will be performing April 23 at the Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land, Texas, and on July 4 at Hyde Park in London.
Pet Shop Boys - 'Hotspot'
Who's on this new album?
Years & Years and a guitar contribution by Bernard Butler.
What have they done before this?
A whopping 13 albums prior to 'Hotpot', including 'Please' which features one of their biggest hits 'It's a Sin', and albums 'Introspective' and 'Actually'.
How will it sound?
Expect synth-pop, new wave and electronic dance.
When can I hear it?
January 24 by the band's own label x2.
Where do I listen to it?
Connect through the official site with pre-orders and purchases on Apple Music, Deezer and Spotify. Pet Shop Boys will tour the U.K. and Europe in May/June.
Dan Deacon - 'Mystic Familiar'
Who's on this new album?
No collaborations have been confirmed as of yet.
What has he done before this?
The last album is 2015's 'Glass Riffer' which features Feel the Lightning and other hits including 'True Thrush' and 'Change Your Life (You Can Do It)'.
How will it sound?
An interesting and unique blend of synth-pop, new wave, and electronica.
When can I hear it?
January 31 on the Domino record label
Where do I listen to it?
You can connect through the official website on Domino, Amazon, Spotify, Soundcloud, Apple/iTunes. A tour will be held in various parts of the world including in the U.S. in Paris and the U.K., kicking off in Dublin, Ireland at Grand Social.