“I’m getting a little tired of your broken promithes promithes” – Queen Kiely Williams, 2000.
As September nears, so too does the start of the infamous Q4.
That tried and true window where campaigns are kicked off with a view to capitalise on the generous buying climate of the Holidays. Promotional platforms are plentiful and the potential for revenue maximisation is a very real reality for record labels.
It’s also a time during which fans begin to raise hopeful eyebrows at their faves who’ve promised new projects but have yet to deliver.
Historically, it’s proven that many of these LPs don’t arrive on time – or even at all.
However, we can only wait with bated breath. While we do, grab some tea and biscuits and join us below as we countdown 5 albums we want to see before the year’s end!
5. Justin Timberlake
We must give full disclosure. We’re not actually anticipating this one. As the last [’20/20′] didn’t deliver. Yet, there remains something inherently fascinating about the smoke and mirrors that is Justin Timberlake‘s career. His releases undeniably slay the charts, yet folk would be hard pressed to name a non-single. What’s more, the cultural impact of his music is arguably non-existent.
Still, all of this aside, he’s a Pop titan. And more specifically a Pop titan who’s spent much of the year making new music with Timbaland and Pharrell. Q4 historically ushers the return of major names and super sales narratives. And, as far as commercial clout goes, JT is suitably qualified to tick that quota. Who knows, maybe he’s found his mojo and is about to drop another ‘Justified’?
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4. Kelly Rowland
Time flies, that’s a given. But we’re still scratching our heads at how quickly the four years since Kelly released her last album have passed.
On the one hand, a lot of real-life has happened to her. Both triumphant and tragic.
Yet, it’s also understandable why her fans are frustrated.
She’s busied herself with one side project after the next. All of which no doubt contribute to the building of her brand. However, the reality is that all of these hustles should ultimately be helping mobilize her music. But if said material is not there, one could argue that it runs risk of all being amiss.
On the upside, she’s been spotted in the studio a lot of late. Fingers crossed she’s ready to serve up a plate new-new sooner rather than later.
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3. Mariah Carey
Oh Mariah.
We’ve found ourselves saying this right from the very start of the year. New Years Eve, anyone?
That said, we still consider ourselves Lambs (assuming our membership hasn’t been forcibly revoked). Hence, our ears are naturally ready and rearing for new Mimi material.
Upon announcing her new label Butterfly MC in April, Carey promised a new album before the year’s end. A thankful turnaround from the uncharacteristic “I’m only releasing singles” malarkey she mouthed months earlier.
With the departure of her advocate LA Reid at Epic and her generally so-so standing with the public, we’re not sure the infrastructure is in place to drop an album. Or, more specially, a successful one. But, we can still will it.
Mariah remains a rarity in that even her worst performing projects house amazing material [see: ‘Glitter,’ ‘Memoirs,’ and ‘Elusive Chanteuse’]. And we have little doubt that she’ll deliver qualitatively.
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2. Christina Aguilera
If ever an artist has “tried it,” it’s Xtina.
Year after year, she’s claimed an LP was nigh. But all now, nada.
Her bodies of work have by and large been exquisite. Hence, we occasionally buy into her “can’t rush greatness” spiel.
All that aside, the reality is that her last album ‘Lotus’ bombed instead of bloomed. And that was five years ago. Five…whole…years.
In today’s climate, some singles have five week runs, while five months is considered a lifetime.
Put simply, Christina just doesn’t have the luxury of taking so long. Especially having seen the cautionary tales of Gwen Stefani and co.
For her sake, Q4/2017 ought to be the frame in which she stops playing and gives the gurls girls what they want.
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1. Nicki Minaj
Onika being omnipresent isn’t a new phenomenon. But what is is her managing to be everywhere but nowhere at the same time.
Thus far, she has appeared on an endless array of features this year and yet few have shown the slightest hint of becoming hits.
With the blowback from Remy Ma‘s ‘Shether’ still being a very real reality for Nicki, we’re eager to see her harness the hype – good and bad – towards the unleashing of an undeniable album.
We’ve been hearing internal murmurs about a Fall release and it couldn’t come sooner.
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Your thoughts?