2020 Vision: There's A Lot Of New Music Heading Our Way This Year

We’ve made it through the awkward family Christmas, drunk too much on New Year’s Eve, wallowed in some epic hangovers and now it’s official... 2019 is over and 2020 is brimming with possibilities and new music. In a time where nearly everything is documented, teased and revealed on social media, we’ve combed the internet and consulted our sources to compile an alphabetical list of all the albums we’re most excited for in 2020. From Tame Impala to Green Day to Bombay Bicycle Club to Kesha, don’t lose your next favourite record in the mix. 

070 Shake

Release date: 17 January

070 Shake, GOOD Music prodigy and all round whizz-kid, will release her debut album in January. NYC artist and creative director Sam Spratt, who designed the cover art, said “the music is somethin [sic] really special” and we’re taking his word for it.

Alice Ivy 

Release date: April

New music from Alice Ivy means (hopefully) new music videos starring her adorable pup Lexie. So, obviously, we’re down. 

Alexisonfire

Release date: TBC

We’ve got no confirmation but Canadian post-hardcore outfit Alexisonfire reunited in 2019 to release their first new music in nearly nine years so if an album doesn’t come out we'll riot.

Baker Boy

Release date: TBC

The Fresh Prince of Arnhem Land and 2019 Young Australian of the Year is in fine form at the moment and we’ve got confirmation his debut album will be out in early 2020. You could say that’s Cool As Hell.  

Best Coast 

Release date: Early 2020 

Best Coast are releasing their first LP for adults since 2015 early this year. When The Music caught up with Bethany Cosentino while she was in the country for BIGSOUND, she told us it was “about the journey of a person out of a dark place and into a brighter place”. Wholesome vibes abound. 

Birds Of Tokyo 

Release date: Q1/Q2

They were nominated for two ARIAs last year on the strength of the single alone so it would be safe to say Birds Of Tokyo are ready to take flight with their sixth LP. 

Bombay Bicycle Club – Everything Else Has Gone Wrong

Release date: 17 January 

Grab your helmet because Bombay Bicycle Club are back. As Jack Steadman sings in the title track released last month - “And yes, I found my second wind.” Yep, it looks like fans of that 2000s-indie-heyday sound will be eating well in 2020. What’s my Tumblr login again?

Cardi B

Release date: TBC

We know she’s been busy making money moves but we tipped it for last year so the new Cardi B album has gotta be out soon. According to Vogue’s 73 Questions series the LP is “spicy” and “controversial” and you’re damn right we like it like that. 

DMA’S 

Release date: TBC

DMA’s are back delivering their silky smooth ‘90s-inspired guitar-pop and after Silver we've got a good feeling about this one. 

Everything Everything 

Release date: TBC

Everything Everything’s new album will be everything. You heard it here first. 

Georgia - Seeking Thrills

Release date: 10 January 

North Londoner Georgia is out thrill-seeking following her 2015 self-titled album. You can even pair the new LP with her own signature hot sauce - now that’s marketing we can get behind. 

Green Day – Father Of All Motherfuckers

Release date: 7 February

When asked what “Father Of All Motherfuckers” means, Billie Joe Armstrong told Kerrang! it was “just a badass title”. So no, we know what you’re thinking but there’s nothing about Trump. Go figure.

Grimes – Miss Anthropocene

Release date: 21 February

So apparently each song here represents “a different embodiment of human extinction as depicted through pop star demonology”. Cool, Grimes.

Haim 

Release date: TBC

“The whole mantra of the record is about being fearless and not holding yourself back,” Alana Haim told NME. You know what that means? More power strutting down the boulevard. 

Halsey - Manic 

Release date: 17 January

Previously playing with concept albums, Halsey comes out as Ashley Frangipane in the deeply personal Manic - out 17 January. 

Kesha - High Road

Release date: 10 January

She’s back, baby! In what critics are calling a return to unashamed poptastic form, Kesha takes the high road releasing her fourth album this month. The 2020 party don’t start till she walks in.

King Krule

Release date: TBC

Archy Marshall is well on track for his next album release, teasing on Instagram back in June, “Nxt rcrds comin [sic].” Four potential tracks are already out in a short film called Hey World! and Marshall is heading on a massive tour in early 2020. It bodes well for King Krule fans.

Lana Del Rey - White Hot Forever

Release date: TBC

Our 2019 Album Of The Year recipient Lana Del Rey is in white hot form so it’s only fitting she’s confirmed her next album, out sometime in 2020, will be called White Hot Forever. 

Mallrat

Release date: Mid 2020 

Seems crazy that Brisbane artist Mallrat hasn’t released her debut LP considering the success she’s seen both locally and overseas. More wholesome tunes like Charlie, please. 

Meg Mac 

Release date: TBC 

According to Twitter, Meg Mac is in LA working on album number two (and eating chocolate) which means the Mac will be back in 2020.

Middle Kids

Release date: TBC

Not even a new baby is gonna stop Middle Kids from releasing their second album in 2020. 

Megan Thee Stallion

Release date: TBC 

Australia’s hot girl summer has only just begun and even though the details are sketchy we’re fanging for whatever next season has got in store. 

Modest Mouse

Release date: TBC

The ‘00s float on - Modest Mouse released three singles in 2019. As for a new album it seems like the cat’s got their tongue but we’re hopeful. 

Mystery Jets - A Billion Heartbeats

Release date: TBC

A Billion Heartbeats was due for release in 2019 until frontman Blaine Harrison had to undergo emergency surgery. He’s safe, well and on the mend with the release now scheduled for early in the year. 

Ocean Alley

Release date: TBC

We’re confident we’ll see the next album from Ocean Alley before the year is out and you know “it’s all about confidence, baby”.

Ocean Grove - Flip Phone Fantasy

Release date: Q1 

Dropping a single in December and confirming the news to triple j’s Bridget Hustwaite, Ocean Grove’s heavily anticipated second album, Flip Phone Fantasy, will be with us in the first quarter of 2020. 

Poppy - I Disagree

Release date: 10 January

Just in the country for Good Things Festival, Poppy has confirmed her third studio album, I Disagree, will be released on 10 January. The dark side is strong in this one. 

Rihanna 

Release date: TBC

Junkee released a list of everything Rihanna did in 2019 instead of releasing music… it’s pretty extensive. So I guess keep doing your thing RiRi - we’ll be waiting. 

Sam Smith

Release date: TBC 

We have it on good authority Sam Smith will release their follow-up to 2017’s The Thrill Of It All. According to Smith, the tracks feature full-blown pop production and make them “feel really good and happy”. 

Something For Kate

Release date: TBC

Paul Dempsey has confirmed the band is back “working on a new Something For Kate record”. Be still our beating hearts.  

Tame Impala - The Slow Rush

Release date: 14 February

It’s been a slow rush for Tame Impala fans, Kevin Parker drip feeding singles across the past year. Heavy security means not much is known other than a Valentine’s Day release date so at least we won't be alone this year.

The 1975 - Notes On A Conditional Form

Release date: 21 February

Following A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships, The 1975 explore British nighttime culture with Notes On A Conditional Form, referencing everything from "the beauty of the M25 and all those lights [to] going to McDonald's and listening to garage records in a haze in a Peugeot 206”.

The Beths

Release date: June 

New Zealand four-piece The Beths are heading to the US to preview songs from their forthcoming album, out in June, and that’s fine, I guess we’ll just wait. 

The Big Moon - Walking Like We Do

Release date: 10 January

This London four-piece are going to the moon and back with Walking Like We Do - mark our words. 

The Killers – Imploding The Mirage

Release date: Early 2020 

They’re coming out of their cage and they’re feeling just fine, thanks for asking. 

The Orb - Abolition Of The Royal Familia

Release date: 27 March

OG fans of the UK electronica scene will be buzzing with the news ambient house progenitors The Orb will release their 17th album, Abolition Of The Royal Familia, on 27 March. It’s the first LP Alex Patterson has written with his new writing partner Michael Rendell and according to their website has a surprising but “proudly pop element”. 

The Preatures

Release date: TBC 

If you wanna know how we feel, stop posting mysterious studio clips on socials and release the damn album. 

Tired Lion 

Release date: Mid 2020

You’re gonna hear them roar - Perth legends Tired Lion have got an album in the works for mid 2020.  

Tuka 

Release date: TBC

A new solo album from Tuka? Consider us dying happy men. 

Tyne-James Organ

Release date: Late 2020

Melbourne via Wollongong singer-songwriter Tyne-James Organ impressed with his debut EP last year and we’re sure he’ll do the same with his debut album, out late this year. 

Violent Soho 

Release date: TBC 

Violent Soho released their first new music since 2016’s Waco late last year, lambasting Boomers in the process. Does that mean a new album? Hell fuck yeah. 

Weezer – Van Weezer

Release date: 15 May 

Van Weezer will apparently see the American rock band going “back to big guitars” with the album inspired by hard-rock and heavy metal bands of the ‘70s and ‘80s. It’s out 15 May.