Most Anticipated Music of 2019

At this moment it’s hard to believe that 2019 could be as good a year for music as 2018, such was the brilliance of so many albums released in the last twelve months. But then again I said the exact same thing last year and everything turned out swell.

So here’s hoping for more of the same in 2019. Read on to find out who you might be listening to this year.

1. Sharon Van Etten – Remind Me Tomorrow (January 18th)

In her recent interview with the New York Times, Sharon Van Etten admitted to recording over forty songs for this album – including enough material for a whole country album and one of piano ballads, alongside the more sonically experimental songs that make up Remind Me Tomorrow. For an artist whose work has often been defined by fragility and raw beauty this is an unexpected departure, but the single ‘The Comeback Kid’ suggests it will be a risk worth taking.

2. Yola – Walk Through Fire (February 22nd)

Fresh from winning hearts on Jools Holland’s Hootenanny, Yola Carter is launching her new album, minus her surname and plus producer Dan Auerbach. Her undeniable vocal talent and country soul stylings should hopefully mean a break through to the big time.

3. Our Native Daughters (February 22nd)

Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah, Leyla McCalla and Allison Russell of Birds of Chicago have collaborated on this new album, which aims to document and reclaim the history of black women in America. Individually these artists have long been working to redress the diversity imbalance in folk and Americana music and now they are uniting their voices and instruments on a project that looks like it will be of the most vital roots releases of the year.

4. Adia Victoria – Silences (February 22nd)

February 22nd is shaping up to be one of the strongest days of the year for new albums, with ‘Silences‘ by Adia Victoria also due for release. Announcing the news of the new album on Twitter, Victoria wrote: ‘Silences was written in blood and bone, produced by Aaron Dessner, featuring the baddest band straight out of Nashville. I’m reclaiming the blues. Y’all ready?’ We can’t fucking wait.

5. Jenny Lewis – On The Line (Spring 2019)

Thankfully good things come to those who wait, as Jenny Lewis has FINALLY announced that ‘On The Line’ will be released in Spring. We know she’s worked with Beck and Ryan Adams again, with new songs played at her live shows last year. There’s no official date confirmed yet so watch this space for updates and hopefully a new track soon.

Other artists with confirmed new albums ready to go include Joy Williams, Jessica Pratt, Lana Del Rey and Jade Bird. We can also expect new albums from a few artists who have been crowdfunding their releases including Siobhan Wilson, Dori Freeman, Roseanne Reid and Emily Mae Winters.

In mainstream country I expect new albums from Cam and Maren Morris – both of whom may make moves away from the genre (and with the current state of country radio who can blame them?). Miranda Lambert released her last album in 2016 and many fans are eager for news of a follow up to The Weight of These Wings, but with the recent Pistol Annies release I wouldn’t expect any solo material until at least the end of the year, but hey we can still dream can’t we?

Talking of dreams, Dixie Chicks have been in the studio and hopefully it’s only a matter of time before an album is announced and the internet goes into meltdown (one way or another). They’ve been a long time gone and we need them now more than ever.

And hey who knows what other unexpected new discoveries 2019 will have in store – that’s what makes being a music fan so exciting. Let me know what new releases you’re looking forward to in 2019 in the comments or on social media.