Music For College Students To Look Forward To In 2016
As we wave goodbye to 2015, we close the door on a menagerie of new music that came out. From Fall Out Boy’s American Beauty/American Psycho to Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly to Adele’s 25, the music scene hasn’t slowed down in terms of variety and talent.
Can 2016 live up to the standard that 2015 has set? It looks like it just might. Early 2016 alone looks like it’s going to give all of 2015 a run for its money.
Read through the list below to learn about some upcoming albums and new artists to look out for in the beginning of the new year.
David Bowie
Album title: Blackstar
Genre: Art rock
Release date: January 8
On November 19, David Bowie released the music video for Blackstar’s first single, which is of the same name as the album.
Described by Pitchfork as “intensely creepy,” the music video features Bowie singing while blindfolded, creepy children walking around in circles, and living scarecrows tied to crosses, to name a few things.
If this is just a preview of what’s to come from Bowie, we are eager to see what else the new album has in store.
Blackstar can be pre-ordered on iTunes here.
Daughter
Album title: Not to Disappear
Genre: Indie folk
Release date: January 15
Daughter’s music is what you listen to when you’re deep down in the dumps. If early 2016 finds you in this unfortunate mindset, at least you’ll have a new Daughter album to listen to.
According to 4AD, the British trio’s new album features “confident strides forward both sonically and lyrically.”
It also features a film trilogy, of which two music videos have already been released.
The first, entitled “Doing the Right Thing,” can be viewed here and features beautiful lyrics about children and love and confinement. The second, entitled “Numbers,” can be viewed here and features lyrics about numbness.
Not to Disappear can be pre-ordered on iTunes here.
Panic! at the Disco
Album title: Death of a Bachelor
Genre: Pop punk
Release date: January 15
The fifth studio album to be released by the band that brings many of us back to our middle school emo days, Death of a Bachelor is entirely written and composed by Brendon Urie.
Three singles have already been released from the album. “Hallelujah” was released back in July, while “Victorious” and “Emperor’s New Clothes” were released more recently.
The amazingly creepy music video for “Emperor’s New Clothes” features Urie as a gargoyle that comes to life and is definitely worth a couple of watches — as long as you’re not alone in your room late at night.
Death of a Bachelor can be pre-ordered on iTunes here.
Santigold
Album title: 99 Cents
Genre: Electronic pop
Release date: January 22
If album art alone is a good enough indicator of a good album, then I have high expectations for Santigold’s new album.
The first single from the artist’s third LP, “Can’t Get Enough of Myself,” has already been released. Stereogum describes it as a “colorfully groovy self-love anthem.”
If you’re on the lookout for fun pop music that both you can dance alone in your room to and listen to as background music at your next party, be sure to check out Santigold’s new album on January 22.
99 Cents can be pre-ordered on iTunes here.
Yoko Ono
Album title: Yes, I’m a Witch Too
Genre: New wave
Release date: January 22
Yes, I’m a Witch Too will be the follow-up album to her 2007 LP that featured all-star covers remixes and was simply titled, Yes, I’m a Witch.
The new album will feature artists such as Death Cab for Cutie and Miike Snow, along with her son Sean Lennon. It will come out just in time for Yoko Ono’s birthday, which will be February 18.
The entire song and collaboration list for Yes, I’m a Witch Too can be viewed here.
Yes, I’m a Witch Too can be pre-ordered on iTunes here.
Bloc Party
Album title: Hymns
Genre: Alternative dance
Release date: January 29
Hymns will be Bloc Party’s fifth studio album and the first to feature new members Justin Harris and Louise Bartle.
The album’s title is inspired not by religion but by the author Hanif Kureishi, who has been named by The Times as one of the 50 greatest British writers since 1945.
Full of synth and mystery, the first track off the album is entitled “The Love Within” and has already been released and has received mixed reviews from YouTubers who are unsure about the band’s new sound. This comes as no surprise, as half of the band members have changed since the last album was released.
Listen to “The Love Within” for yourself and see what you think!
Hymns can be pre-ordered on iTunes here.