Albums I'm Really Really Looking Forward to in 2019

In all of my nineteen years of existence, 2018 was my favourite one for music. There were so many exciting releases from equally exciting artists, and I dipped my toe into genres and sounds I never thought I'd say I actively sought out and enjoyed. 2018 was the year of musical exploration for me. And because of this, I've found loads of wonderful artists with wonderful singles ready for wonderful albums to (hopefully) be released in the not too distant future - as well as some favourites of mine that have been on my playlists solidly for years - which promises to make 2019 just as musically fantastic as it's predecessor, if not better. So here's a run down of all the albums either confirmed or rumoured to be released this year that I am buzzing like a bee for.

nina nesbitt - the sun will come up, the seasons will change 

Nina's transformation since her debut album Peroxide has been one I've loved seeing play out. Since becoming an independent artist, it's clear that she has had a lot more creative input on her music, and it's a risk that has truly worked out for the best. Peroxide is great - but it's served it's purpose. It's an album full of teenage life lessons and the trials and joys of youth. The Sun Will Come Up, The Seasons Will Change is its grown-up sister, with the eponymous single about moving past a dark period in your life, The Moments I'm Missing detailing a desire to be back in the Peroxide days, and Empire - yet to be released, but I heard it live - serving as a peephole into the music industry, and giving clearer insight into Nina's choice to become independent. The singles released so far are much more electronically based than the sweet and innocent acoustics of Peroxide, but this edgier side to Nina proves she is a strong force to be reckoned with. Look out for this one in early February. 

lana del rey - norman f***ing rockwell

Surprise, surprise. Lana del Rey is a masterpiece and hands down my favourite solo artist going. Her fifth album, Norman F***ing Rockwell, is set for release in March this year, with three singles having already dropped, acting as a gentle little wave to guide us into this new Lana era. I must admit, when I first heard Mariners Apartment Complex back in September, I was ever so slightly underwhelmed - but it's definitely a grower. The simplistic, acoustic based song allows both her rich vocals and the narrative she tells to shine through, and this is a theme that has continued with the release of Venice B*tch and hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have - but I have it. In my opinion, Norman F***ing Rockwell is set to be the most emotionally hard-hitting Lana album since Ultraviolence, and with the lyrics being the key feature of these country-esque ballads, the LP promises to be one full of amazing story-telling and sorrow. Just what I like. 

billie eilish

Billie Eilish is one of my favourite artists, and one that I started listening to properly last year. If you're a fan of Lana and haven't really listened to Billie yet (although she's been pretty hard to escape), you'll probably be a fan; a beautiful mixture of creative lyrics and stunning story-telling, like hers, but often with a more synth-heavy twist. Billie's debut album is set to be released early this year, and will more than likely feature the luscious when the party's over (my favourite single to be released in 2018, check out the rest of my 2018 music faves here), which explores a more minimalist and solemn take to her craft. However, we've seen she can tackle fierce electronica on tracks like you should see me in a crown as well, so her first LP is set to be a labyrinth of exciting sounds. 

the 1975

The 1975 have promised a double-bill of albums, the first of which being the mega-incredible A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships, which was one of my favourite albums of 2018. I don't think a release date for the next album has been set in stone, but if ABIIOR is anything to go by, it's definitely one to look forward to. ABIIOR has some absolute gems - TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME, Love it if We Made It, Sincerity is Scary. Each of the band's albums have had a different kind of feel and theme, so it'll be interesting to see if they switch it all up again and provide us with some equally as masterful. 

catfish and the bottlemen

Having released a brilliant single already in 2019, I can only hope a new Catfish album is in the works. Longshot intertwines their traditional sound of grungy guitars and British alt rock with a more uplifting, slightly poppier, which would be nice to see laced throughout their third album - it's definitely something I'd like to hear them to dive into more.  In all honestly though, I don't think Catfish could release anything I properly disliked; they never seem to take themselves too seriously, and the sense of fun that has underlined each album so far is infectious. I'm looking forward to seeing what else they can cook up in 2019. 

sundara karma

Sundara Karma's debut album - Youth is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect - is one of my favourites, just in general. Last year, the group dropped three singles: Illusions, One Last Night on This Earth and The Changeover. All of them had these Bowie-esque notions which, I must say, I'm not really a fan of. The Changeover is perhaps the only one I can get behind - but only just. I don't really like these singles BUT I'm still holding out hope, considering how much I love their first album. And I'm always intrigued when bands try something different, even if it's not for me; and if it doesn't work in my favour, YIOEFIR will always hold a special place in my heart. 

vampire weekend - fotb

All Vampire Weekend have offered in terms of new album hints is the initials of title: fotb. That's enough to get me excited. Vampire Weekend are a band I listen to fairly casually, but I'm always impressed by their material. Modern Vampires of the City is probably my favourite LP of theirs, with beauties like Unbelievers, Diane Young, Don't Lie and the gorgeous Hannah Hunt; this album is their most recent, but it's now nearly six years old. More than anything, I'm intrigued to hear if there's any dramatic change in direction - and I'm desperate to know what fotb stands for too. 

mcfly

And lastly, we come to probably the most elusive addition to the list. I'm not even sure if it's 100% true, but apparently Dougie Poynter announced one of my favourite bands ever ever ever - McFly - were reuniting and releasing more music this year. Does that mean an album this year? Maybe not. But singles - yes please. McFly are such a nostalgic band for me; I've grown up listening to their music, and they're the first band I ever remember liking and actively seeking out. Whatever they do release, there's no doubt in my mind that it will bring a smile to my face, and the sooner I can hear their cheeky lyrics and fun instrumentals again the better. 

It's also worth mentioning that some amazing albums have already dropped this year. James Blake's Assume Form is a beautiful album touching on themes of love and intimacy, which he hasn't really narrated before. Dermot Kennedy's self-titled debut is also incredible - I can't get over his vocals.