Summer Music Preview 2015: 12 biggest albums
1 of 12
A$AP Rocky, 'At.Long.Last.A$AP'
The high-styled Harlem rapper and sometime actor (see: this summer's much-buzzed-about coming-of-age drama Dope) lost beloved collaborator A$AP Yams in January, but single "Everyday" features Rod Stewart, Miguel, and Mark Ronson. (Out now)
1 of 12
2 of 12
Jason Derulo, 'Everything Is 4'
The man who taught the world to "Wiggle" returns to rule another summer—and he's bringing along friends old and new, including Keith Urban, Stevie Wonder, Meghan Trainor, and Jennifer Lopez. (6/2)
2 of 12
3 of 12
Florence + the Machine, 'How Big How Blue How Beautiful'
The songstress' passionate fusion of rock, pop, and soul has already been aptly showcased on gorgeous early singles "What Kind of Man" and "St. Jude." (6/2)
3 of 12
4 of 12
Muse, 'Drones'
Frontman Matt Bellamy promises his rock trio will get back to basics on their seventh LP. But with song titles like "Defector" and "Revolt," Drones should honor the band's paranoid roots.
4 of 12
5 of 12
Of Monsters and Men, 'Beneath the Skin'
The Icelandic folkies first broke with the inescapable 2011 campfire jam "Little Talks," but on Skin they make like Mumford, adding new bombast to their organic sound. Don't worry, though: Tracks like the thrumming "Crystals" are still built for sing-alongs (marshmallows not included). (6/9)
5 of 12
6 of 12
Giorgio Moroder, 'Déjà Vu'
Disco's Italian Stallion has crafted dance-floor classics for everyone from Donna Summer to Daft Punk, but he hasn't made a solo album since 1985. He hasn't lost his sway with A-listers, however: Déjà features vocals from Sia, Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Charli XCX, and more. (6/16)
6 of 12
7 of 12
Nate Ruess, 'Grand Romantic'
Fun.'s 2012 smash Some Nights made them stars, and now singer Ruess is following bandmate Jack Antonoff into solo territory. So far, songs "Nothing Without Love" and "AhHa" feel like a natural extension of the indie-pop anthems fun. fans flocked to. (6/16)
7 of 12
8 of 12
Miguel, 'Wildheart'
Kaleidoscope Dream, the singer's grown-and-sexy 2012 R&B opus, helped score him spots and Mariah Carey and Janelle Monáe—as well as a Grammy, for the ballad "Adorn." The sultry "Coffee (F---ing)" hints at more NC-17 naughtiness to come. (6/30)
8 of 12
9 of 12
Tame Impala, 'Currents'
The Aussie psych-rockers earned major indie acclaim for 2012's Lonerism, but don't expect Currents to clone the vibe that got them a prime spot at Coachella. A new kind of electro boogie informs jams like "'Cause I'm a Man" and "Let It Happen." (7/17)
9 of 12
10 of 12
Frank Ocean, TBD
2012's channel ORANGE was the culmination of a meteoric rise for the young R&B iconoclast, who swiftly graduated from mixtapes to Grammys and collabs with the likes of Beyoncé, Kanye, and Jay Z. Ocean has laid low since, but look for him to rekindle the neo-soul flame. (July)
10 of 12
11 of 12
Kanye West, 'SWISH'
Could 2015 be another Yeezy Year? Rap's multitasker dropped a track with Paul McCartney on New Year's Eve, and has since launched a new shoe line, a zine, and three more songs, including "FourFiveSeconds," with Macca and Rihanna, and the Sia-assisted "Wolves." Other rumored guests: Drake, Chance the Rapper, Kendrick Lamar, Q-Tip, and James Blake. (TBD)
11 of 12
12 of 12
Rihanna, TBD
RiRi has historically released an album a year, but we've been waiting almost two and a half for this one. And a trickle of new tracks suggests her eighth LP could be her most diverse yet, ranging from chaotic banger "Bitch Better Have My Money" to plaintive political ballad "American Oxygen" and hazy interlude "James Joint." (TBD)