by Philip Moss, Joseph Purcell and Phil Scarisbrick
Ryan Adams
At one stage last year, it seemed Ryan Adams was all but ready to release a new album – he’d spoken openly through his social media about an abundance of new material that was recorded, plus posted videos of the demoing process at PaxAm. But the record never materialised.
Just last week, Adams – after what is presumed to have been a self-imposed exile from social media – returned to Twitter to announce- ‘2018: you brought me to my knees. It turns out that’s where I needed to be: in prayer for everyone here or lost’, with a photograph of a 60 day sobriety chip.
So while we hope a new album will appear this year, we also hope that Ryan stays fit and well, and look forward to a musical return when he deems it the right time.
Beirut
After making his first public appearance since finishing touring Beirut’s No No No LP at last year’s PEOPLE festival in Berlin, Zach Condon quickly followed up with the announcement of his new album, Gallipoli.
Out on 1st February through 4AD, the album sees Condon reunite with producer, Gabe Wax, on an LP that was recorded in New York, Puglia and his newly adopted home of Berlin.
Bonnie Prince Billy
Last year, Will Oldham released the one rollicking one off single, Blueberry Jam, as well as the wonderful Songs of Love and Horror – a collection that saw him look back over his entire career with acoustic re-recordings of some of his best songs. However, it’s now been five years since Will released a collection of original material, 2013’s Bonnie Prince Billy, and we hope this changes in 2019.
Ian Brown
First World Problems found Ian Brown slipping back into the regular day job following the conclusion of The Stone Roses reunion – and was the first taster from upcoming solo album, Ripples.
Out in March, Ripples will be the first solo album from King Monkey for nine years – and has seen him enlist the help of longtime collaborator, Steve Fitzmaurice, as well as his co-writing from his two sons.
Deerhunter
One of the musical related highlights of 2018 was Bradford Cox’s Instagram Live video following the announcement of their new LP, Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared. In the video, he discussed, at length, the recording process for the new record – which had taken place in LA, Texas and at home in Atlanta, with Welsh songstress, Cate Le Bon, at the helm – as well as the decisions behind the artwork for the new record. All of which certainly whet the appetite for what will hopefully be the first great new album of 2019.
Lana Del Rey
2018 was a busy year for Lana Del Rey, as she turned in guest appearances on two of the years most loved albums: firstly, appearing on the track, Living with Myself from Jonathan Wilson’s Rare Birds, and subsequently duetting with Chan Marshall on the thundering call to arms, Woman, from Secret Meeting’s 2018 album of the year, Wanderer.
She also announced her upcoming sixth album – Norman Fucking Rockwell, due for release in early 2019. After releasing two singles in September, Mariners Apartment Complex and Venice Bitch, Del Rey has certainly wet the appetite for the follow up to 2017’s Lust for Life.
Morrissey
2018 was a controversial year for Morrissey, even by his own standards, but at the back end of the year, he returned to LA to record an album of covers by American artists – the first of which – Back on the Chain Gang (originally by The Pretenders) was released as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of Low In High School.
California Son was recorded at Sunset Studios with Joe Chiccarelli (The Shins, The White Stripes) who has also produced Morrissey’s last two records, World Peace is None of Your Business and Low In High School. However, there has been no announcement, as of yet, regarding the release date.
The Raconteurs
It has been a full ten years since the release of The Raconteurs excellent second album, Consolers of The Lonely. Since then, the main protagonists – Jack White and Brendan Benson -have had mixed fortunes. Benson has released two albums to mixed reviews through his own record label Readymade Records, with the last of these being in December 2013. White, however, has been more active, releasing three albums with The Kills’ Alison Mosshart as The Dead Weather, appearing on the Muppets, and releasing three albums as a solo artist, including 2018’s difficult to digest, Boarding House Reach.
White’s Third Man Recordings has also continued to grow and in December 2018 released a deluxe re-issue of Consolers of The Lonely – including a bonus seven inch with two new songs, Sunday Driver and Now That You’re Gone; both new tracks expected to appear on the upcoming third studio album from The Raconteurs expected at some point in 2019.
Sleaford Mods
Already announced for release on 22nd February, Eton Alive is the first album on the band’s own label, Extreme Eating. Their last release on Rough Trade was their self-titled EP, which was released earlier this year. At the time we said “This five track attack feels glorious with its angry, frustrated fist full of music, and helps you fully appreciate this essential act.” Fingers crossed Eton Alive carries on where the EP left off.
Bruce Springsteen
Following the completion of his Tony-award winning Broadway show, Springsteen once again mentioned an album he has teased for the best part of two years. The long-completed ‘solo’ record now has a few more details. When discussing his plans, Springsteen said he hoped to have the new record out in the next twelve months, as well as completed other recording projects.
It will be the first album completely made up of original material since 2012’s Wrecking Ball, although he did release some new songs on 2014’s High Hopes.
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