The Most Anticipated Albums of 2023

After quite a remarkable year for albums, 2022 features hard hitters like FKA Twigs’ “Caprisongs”, Beyoncé’s “Renaissance”, Big Thief’s “Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You”, JID’s “The Forever Story”, “Motomami ‘ by Rosalía’ and Ethel Cain’s ‘Preacher’s Daughter’, it seems unlikely that the albums rumored to be out in 2023 will ever be able to match.

However, there are some notable new projects dropping this year that are sure to impress. So, here are Cherwell’s Picks for the top 11 (we couldn’t settle on just 10) most anticipated albums to be released this year.

11. Black Belt Eagle Scout – “The land, the water, the sky.” Black Belt Eagle Scout’s exploration of indie rock promises a journey of reconnecting with their ancestors and through the nature that binds them to them. She said of the project that she “wanted the tenderness of those moments to meet the intense reality of the story [her] People.”

10. 100 Gecs – “10,000 Gecs.” After an interesting, experimental release in their first album 1000 gecs, the duo return this year with a new project that promises to be just as weird and wonderful as the last. An exciting entry no doubt, 10,000 gecs is definitely an album to watch out for.

9. Miley Cyrus – “Endless Summer Vacation.” With possibly one of the few really interesting and not-so-sour pop-punk albums of 2020 in Plastic Hearts, no one really knows where her new venture this year might go. But let me tell you, we’re excited. Cyrus has proven throughout her career that she can be tender, sexy, quirky and pop and this new album is mesmerizing. No one knows what side of herself she’s going to show, and that’s the exciting part.

8. Måneskin – “Rush!” Following their Eurovision win in 2021, Måneskin have brought a certain edge and unique charisma to glam rock, which has garnered them a loyal following and suggests their forthcoming debut album will be one to remember will remember.

7. Samia – “Darling”. After a stunning debut album The Baby (2020), Samia has promised a new project for 2023. After releasing a popular and divergent lead single Kill Her Freak Out in 2022, Samia credited the song and forthcoming LP as marking the end of The Baby’s story and her transition to a new chapter. Besides, if “Honey” has even a hint of the indie charm and heartfelt nature of their first LP, then it’s sure to be a hit.

6. A$AP Rocky – “Don’t be stupid.” Though he hasn’t officially announced when it will be released, A$AP Rocky has teased his new album and even suggested that Metro Boomin’ be a heavy producer throughout the project will. While some of his projects have proven relatively unremarkable in the past, there is hope that this could be a sign of his artistic growth given that it has been 5 years since his last LP ‘Testing’.

5. Kelela – “raven.” The R&B singer’s upcoming project is spearheaded by the mellow single “On the Run,” and in describing her new album, she said it was her “first breath in the dark, an affirmation of the black femme perspective amid systemic obliteration and… The sound of our vulnerability became power.” Hopes for this project are definitely high.

4. Yves tumor – TBA. Following the release of new post-punk single ‘God is a Circle’ (2022) and EP ‘The Asymptotical World’, fans can only hope this visionary artist hints at a bigger project to come this year. After the success and texture of Heaven to a Tortured Mind (2020), any new Yves Tumor project is something to be excited about.

3. Gorillaz – “Cracker Island”. The Gorillaz have made a name for themselves collaborating with artists from Carly Simon to Grace Jones, and their new LP promises an even more exciting lineup. With the release of hit singles like “New Gold” (2022) featuring Bootie Brown and Tame Impala, the rest of the album is set to feature Thundercat, Bad Bunny, Beck, Stevie Nicks and Adeleye Omotayo among others. “Cracker Island” promises the beloved vision of the Gorillaz with the help of some of music’s most imaginative artists,

2. Lana Del Rey – “Did you know there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd?” Lana Del Rey just can’t stop. With the amazing, genre-defining Norman F*ing Rockwell (2019) and two decent albums to follow in the meantime, Lana Del Rey’s forthcoming 9th project seems to take her signature dreamy, soul-crushing California Americana in a new direction with the same artistry, that made her so popular. The lead title single is simply beautiful and suggests more beauty is to come.

1. Rihanna – “R9.” We can only say: please! Please, Rihanna, drop your album! After years of teasing and her Super Bowl halftime show fast approaching, is it possible this could be the year we finally get the much-anticipated “R9”? It has now been 7 years since their smash hit ‘Anti’ (2016) and suffice it to say their fans – and we – are desperate for this release.

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