The year may be almost over but certainly, some great music might still be on the way as 2014 comes to a close. Here’s a few promising albums set to release before the year's end:
1. Taylor Swift - "1989" (October 27, Big Machine)
Love her or hate her, Swift is undoubtedly at the top of her game. Her previous two albums "Speak Now" and "Red" have each sold more than a million copies in their first weeks of sale and she doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
Branded as her first album fully devoted to pop music, "1989" seems like it could be a revolutionary new chapter in the seven-time Grammy winner’s career.
2. Foo Fighters - "Sonic Highways" (November 10, RCA)
Talk about big! Not only is Foo Fighters, one of the biggest bands of the past 20 years, releasing its first album since 2011’s “Wasting Light," but also they’re releasing it with a documentary series on HBO. And that’s not all!
The release itself is exciting, yes, but what of the actual music? Well if lead single “Something From Nothing” is any indication of how the rest of the album will sound, I say bring it on.
3. Nicki Minaj - "The Pinkprint" (November 24, Young Money Entertainment/Cash Money/Republic)
Rap’s leading lady has returned to the spotlight in the latter 2014 when competition from newcomer Iggy Azalea got people talking about her dominance in the industry. When the release of “Pills N Potions” failed to show its staying power, Minaj surged back to the top with “Anaconda,” one of her most controversial singles to date.
With “Anaconda,” “Lookin ---“ and her verse on Beyonce’s "Flawless" remix, Minaj looks set to release an album she thinks will be her version of Jay Z’s 2001 critically acclaimed album “The Blueprint” (hence the title).
4. Drake - "Views From The 6" (TBA, Cash Money/Young Money Entertainment/Universal Republic)
Drake is, without a doubt, one of the most beloved rappers of our time because he’s so much more than a rapper. He’s an artist. His fourth album, "Views From The 6," while not given a specific release date yet, should be no different in displaying his artistry.
Named after the personal name he gave his hometown Toronto, the album details have been vague thus far, but knowing Drake, he’ll give us very detailed views from “The 6.”
5. Kanye West - TBA (TBA, Def Jam)
West is widely considered as one of the most influential rap artists and greatest artists of the 21st century. It’s not surprising that with the release of last year’s “Yeezus,” West found himself in the hot seat.
This is what West does best; he shakes things up. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from following him over the years, it’s that I should never think he doesn’t have any more tricks up his sleeve.
Although his proposed album for release this fall hasn’t shown any signs of materializing, the music world will be ready and waiting when it does.
The Sunset Music Festival’s previous success also influenced the decision to make this year’s festival two days long.
