As last days of the summer season play out, the fun doesn’t stop this Fall. Because an onslaught of new music is set to be unleashed in the months ahead.
Many of which we are all sorts of excited about.
Join us after the jump to see which releases we here at That Grape Juice are most eager to get our hands on.
Lady Gaga
With ‘Perfect Illusion’ just hitting airwaves, we are at the cusp of a new Gaga era. While ‘ArtPop’ may have not have achieved the same success as her previous installments, we’re thrilled to see how this soul + pop merger comes to fruition. Though always boasting a great voice, the past couple years have seen the star really delve into her craft and we hope this is showcased in her new project. Could telephone part 2 on the the horizon? Time will tell.
Usher
All roads lead to September 16th. After several push backs, ‘Hard II Love’ will officially hit shelves this week. After a slew of singles dating back to early 2014, it’s nice to see the star’s 8th studio album finally ready to push. Though utilizing the Voice could have been useful to push the album in its original time frame, here’s hoping this album gets the proper promo needed to push an R&B album in today’s market.
Bruno Mars
There is something refreshing about an artist that doesn’t have to flood the market with rushed projects just to stay in the public eye. Bruno is one of the few artists that have this luxury. With that being said, 2016 marks four years since Bruno’s sophomore album ‘Unorthodox Jukebox.’ Needless to say, the masses are ready for new material. Though releasing no new music of his own, he still remained in a creative space penning Adele’s ‘All I Ask’ just last year. Bruno has proven to be a hitmaker, and we expect nothing less with album #3.
JoJo
It has been quite the rocky road for the teenage sensation that was JoJo. After numerous legal woes, label constrictions, and album setbacks, the singer is finally releasing her third studio effort. ‘Mad Love’ comes almost exactly ten years after her second studio LP, ‘The High Road,’ which spawned the signature hit ‘Too Little Too Late.’ There is something to be said about an artist that can essentially be out of the public eye for a decade, and still pique interest of many. It will be interesting to see how the belter fairs in today’s fickle market, but we wish the singer nothing but the best. Her talent is a rarity amongst many “singers” in today’s industry. Here’s hoping the third time is the charm.
Mary J. Blige
The Queen of Soul recently announced her joint world tour with R&B royalty, Maxwell. Despite her own personal trials, parting ways with her long husband / manager, it is nice to see the legend not allowing it to bring her down. Never one to leave her emotions out of her music, we anticipate that this time in her life is just the spark needed to breathe new life into her music. With album #12 in the works, fingers crossed she channels the same fire she drew from on ‘No More Drama.’
Justin Timberlake
Interestingly enough, the megastar has only released four studio albums as a solo artist. Two of which, were released in the same year. (See ‘The 20/20 Experience’). After scoring a colossal hit with ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’ recently, it’ll be intriguing to see what’s to come from the ‘Suit & Tie’ crooner. Can he keep churning out the smashes without encountering a brick wall?
Speculative Releases
The Carters
The infamous Mr. & Mrs. Carter album is rumored to be coming soon. With sizeable number of their biggest hits being together, we wonder if the joint album will be well received. Their chemistry has always been undeniable, and we expect nothing but greatness from two of the industry’s most towering icons. With a collaborative LP, it’s only natural to assume there’ll be a part II of the ‘On the Run Tour.’ After all, the power couple are all about their coins and with demand meeting them at every look and corner, any such trek is sure to be a blockbuster.
Kanye & Drake
Kanye West and Drake are also tipped to drop a joint album in the upcoming months. Beyond the sound, it’ll be fascinating to observe how the project is released, being that Kanye is Team Tidal and Drake is the poster-guy for Apple Music. Both parties have much to gain by teaming up.
Kanye’s projects since ‘Yeezus’ have not been as well received as his previous endeavors, and Aubrey is in good company critically with the 21 time Grammy award winner.
Could a double dose of magic be on the horizon before the year’s end? Watch this space!
Christina Aguilera
Synonymous with “The Voice” in more ways the one, fans have been awaiting the follow up to the star’s 6th studio album: ‘Lotus.’ Going on four years since its release, perhaps this time has given Xtina the needed window away to cook up something incredible. We’ve made no secret of our enduring love for ‘Your Body,’ as such it’s naturally the nasty-naughty direction we’d love to see her build on.
That said, there’s beauty in versatility and Aguilera has enjoyed success by bending, stretching, and blending an array of different sounds.
At this point and after an age away, we’d take anything – as long as it delivers.
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What do you think of our picks? Who are you most buzzed about? Did we miss any?
As ever, let us know…
![Stream: 'Mufasa: The Lion King [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]'](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/mufasa-movie-soundtrack-tgj-1-464x260.png "Stream: 'Mufasa: The Lion King [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]'.")
buzzed about the Carters bring it on
Yasss, sis! I just really wish TGJ would stop pushing Telephone Pt 2. Like, no one cares for that single. Most of Gaga fans has moved on and TBH, Gaga is not relevant enough for a Beyoncé collaboration. My how things change…
Jojo- Mad Love
Christina Aguilera – SCREAM
Lady Gaga – LG5
so ready for Gaga’s album
I’m most interested with the speculated releases group! …but I always check out new music by Ush!
Dua Lipa but y’all keep posting about Beyoncé any chance you have ?☕️
http://youtu.be/1nydxbGhgv8
Dua lipa will be out in 2017.
Another example of being handled horribly. Her album is set to drop in february, so nearly more than half of her Album will be singles when it finally drops. Too Bad, cause she has a lot of potential
That picture of JT ???
Im here for Bruno. He hasn’t disappointed yet. Mary needs to go back to ground zero with painful love songs. I would suggest recruiting Jimmy Jam and Terry.
RE: I came across an interview of Christina Aguilera from November 2015 and she expressed her interest in working with Jack White (and Adele), funnily enough Bey beat her to that punch. Alas, that’s what happens when you take excessively long breaks in between albums.
Most excited for Jojo it’s been forever
I’ve realized that a lot of these artists with albums in the works actually had something within their last 2 releases or so, that I believe would have worked as singles or should even be the sound they build the entire album around! Imo, those songs worth singling out are:
– Christina Aguilera – Your Body (Lotus)
– Lady Gaga – Sexxx Dreams or Gypsy (Artpop)
– Usher – I.F.U (Looking For Myself)
– Katy Perry – Circle the Drain (I know, I went way back to the Teenage Dream era)
– Bruno Mars – Grenade, of course! (Doo-Wops)
– Mary J Blige – Empty Prayers (My Life II)
– Mariah Carey – Faded (Elusive Chanteuse)
and although they’ve dropped albums recently …
– Britney – Up N Down (I went back to Femme Fatale)
– Janet Jackson – Feedback/Luv (Discipline)
– Beyonce and Jay Z – Upgrade U (B’Day)
– Kanye / Drake – All Of the Lights / Worst Behavior
*Peacock would be dope for Katy Perry too!
I agree your list 99.9% the remaining 1% is Christina. I may be in the minority here, but I damn near hated Lotus. If anything I would to see her go in a neo-soul rock infusion direction or go deeper into the Bionic sound. I personally believe Christina’s voice isn’t meant for Pop but instead R&B and Rock. Anytime she has performed a song in that direction (It’s Man’s World and Live With Me w/ The Rolling Stones and just recently Telepathy) she’s sonic.
I agree, Bionic bodies Lotus, but it depends on the musical style of the listener when it comes to those 2 albums. ‘Telepathy’ really grew on me with every listen. It’s definitely a slow burner!
You’re absolutely right it does depend on the listener. It’s just complicated being a fan of any artist in general because there is so much we want them to do, but all we can do is wait and see.
True! I notice with even my favs, half of the stans want one thing, while the others ask for something else! Janet stans always want different things! I’m looking for ‘Burn It Up’, while others want ‘No Sleep’! I like boss tracks from Bey: ‘Ring the Alarm’, ‘Formation’, ‘Flawless’, ‘Countdown’ (even RTW), but others may want Love on Top, Irreplaceable or End of Time (which I’m not mad at)! For Chrissy, I really think she’d benefit from a song like ‘Your Body’, she must keep the causal listener in mind that appreciate her music at this stage of her career!
Lol right! It’s totally frustrating because we want what we want but yet we still want our favs to be true to themselves.
i am excited about the possibility of R9 ☺#rihannanavy
Forgot about Rih, Cockiness or Where have you been (as a lead single would go far). I actually think a thug out single like ‘That La,La,La’ (from Music of the sun) would slay for her right now!
Bruno will slay. The rest…meh.
ready for Mad Love and for Xtina to hurry the eff up with her next one.
I’m on the minority here but I’m a Hive bee that’s not crazy about a Bey/Jay record. keep that Carters album and extend The Formation Tour – Brazil is waiting to get in Formation too, Bey!
So excited about B+J album & of course Kanye & Drake I wanna know how that would sound & if it could finally bring tidal & Apple Music together. Im also ready for King Usher’s new album ! I have a feeling it’s going to be good. “Rivals” stay on repeat
I’m excited about Ciara 8, Rihanna 9,Nicki 4, Usher H2L, Seven Streeter, Tink, I need more james Fauntleroy, Mary J Blige, and a couple more.
Bruno can keep it and so can Christina and gaga. I’m gonna listen to Justin because he honestly delivers but I can’t stand his ass.
Justin’s last album was the worst out of all of them tho
Racist much?
Justin delivers but you can’t stand him? It’s because he isn’t black isn’t it?
Racist f***
You’re the most retarded user on here sorry but it’s the truth
Justin, Bruno, Christina, LG, Usher & Jojo..
I’m here for Bey and Jay as well as Xtina! I love Dirrrty!
Dirrty is so badass.
From that list:
Bruno Mars
Mary J. Blige
JoJo
Justin Timberlake (sort of)
I already know Usher gonna suck
Others:
Eric Benet
Joe (male r&b singer, if you don’t know him)
Nicole Scherzinger
Boosie Badazz
Marques Houston
Ginuwine
Keyshia Cole
Mariah Carey (don’t know what to expect)
Jay-Z (by himself though)
Joey Bada$$
Lupe Fiasco
Lil Wyte
Nas
Jennifer Hudson
Brandy
New Edition
Many of those won’t probably come until next year but we know Nas album done so it could be any minute now!
We seriously need an Akon album so bad!
I forgot to mention him, T-Pain and Mario! They probably won’t have albums until 2017 if even then.
Looking forward to:
Jojo
Craig David( not on your list but he is my most anticipated).
Christina Aguilera
Jon b ( same as Craig)
Mary j blige
Aguilera is not releasing in a million years. Seriously, what´s up with that girl? I mean, no, you won´t be getting big success anymore (at least what the kids understand by big success, basically chart position on SINGLES charts), but you´re supposed to eb a real artist (I mean, you´re supposed to be above the basic ones who without the singles will be nothing). Just keep releasing your albums and the music you like. Your true fans will appreciate it and buy it, and you´ll be doing what you like. There are many examples out there. Some types of success comes to an end, but the artistry goes on and makes you be respected in the long run.
About the releases that are really coming this year Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga are the most exciting ones, musically and as stage slayers 🙂
Come through Mary!!
ALICIA KEYS
Jojo
Correction: Mary is the Queen of HIP HOP soul. Aretha is the queen of soul. #badjournalism
This has been the worst year for music I can remember.