We’re getting into a steady flow of new album releases now. The release calendars are filling up nicely for the weeks ahead. The likes of Charli xcx, Moby, Bruno Mars, and Harry Styles are all in the calendar and no doubt revving up the PR engines.
There are plenty of others awaited beyond those inevitable big hitters. Plus, of course, a lot more we know nothing about yet. It’s easy to miss out on some of the releases, especially where they may be a bit different or perhaps overshadowed by those bigger names.
With that in mind, here are five albums due out in the next few weeks that I reckon are worth looking out for. One or two might get missed. Some could have a different twist that will brighten up our listening, or just be an old familiar sound back with new tunes.
Five album releases coming soon to watch out for
Michael Monroe - Outerstellar
If you are looking for a musical escape to forget about the world and its troubles, then this chunk of rock and roll could be whatyou need. Ex-Hanoi Rocks singer Michael Monroe draws on a range of glam, punk, and rock influences for his new release, Outerstellar. It’s due to land on February 20, so not long at all to wait.
Monroe’s album features his excellent live band on disc, and they bring all the tricks of the trade to the record. Sleazy guitar, great riffs, some hard-hitting rocking sounds, and even a bit of quiet reflection. Monroe hasn't forgotten those glam tones, and the whole package is an enjoyable romp and stomp.
Mumford and Sons - Prizefighter
By now, we know what to expect from a Mumford and Sons album. Prizefighter delivers that as the band’s sixth studio album, also due out on February 20. They have brought in a few collaborations to the release, notably Hozier on the lead single, “Rubber Band Man” from October.
The new album harks back to their original sound, thumping beat, and that banjo twang to the fore. Here in the UK, we were able to hear the band trail the album as they played with the BBC Concert Orchestra in the live piano room broadcast this month. They’re sounding pretty darn good.
Squeeze - Trixies
This should be an interesting and perhaps slightly different album. It’s slightly experimental and has a concept angle to it. That could be worrying, but with such strong songwriting from the Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook partnership, we should be in safe hands.
Trixies takes us back to a nightclub typical of the 1970s. The album features songs the Squeeze duo wrote back then, when Difford was 19 and Tilbrook three years younger. But their early talent shines through.
The early writing benefits from an up to date producton and brings what was potentially an early concept album to us now. Look out for some great tunes and a homage or nod to David Bowie on “The Place We Call Mars.” Trixies is due out on March 6.
Morrissey - Make-Up Is a Lie
This one could perhaps be for dedicated fans and not necessarily a wider audience. But Morrissey is always going to gather attention, and a new album, Make-Up Is A Lie, will add to that. The question is whether it will do so positively.
Due out on March 6, the album has had a couple of reviews via the title track as a single and a follow-up, “Notre Dame.” Morrissey had been playing the second one in live gigs for a while, so some fans may recall it differently.
Neither tune quite hit home, and “Make-up Is A Lie” in particular has attracted some very mixed views. We’ll have to wait to see what the album itself brings, but with Morrissey, we never know quite what to expect.
Haircut One Hundred - Boxing The Compass
This looks like a fun blast from the past brought bang up to date. Haircut One Hundred, led by Nick Heyward, had some glorious tunes back in the 1980s. “Fantastic Day” and “Love Plus One”, just to name a couple of them, bring back memories of their bright, brassy, pop tunes. That’s before, like many others, they fell out with each other and disbanded.
March 20 sees them back with a new album, Boxing The Compass. Their first new studio collection of new songs in over 40 years. And it’s the original lineup, too. Based on a new single from the album, “Dynamite,” released last October, they haven’t varied much from their original sound. That’s no bad thing and bodes well for more great songs from the album this Spring.