It’s going to be a long, cold winter, but these forthcoming releases will keep you warm with anticipation until the first signs of spring.
Sade — Soldier of Love (February 9): We hope our favorite smooth operator’s nearly ten-year absence hasn’t changed her jazzy template. We’ll find out with her sixth studio album in three decades.
Hot Chip — One Life Stand (February 9): They've quietly become the U.K. electro act to beat. Their fourth album even makes steel drums sexy on the supple funk of the title track.
Peter Gabriel — Scratch My Back (February 15): The idea here? Covers. The twist? Orchestral versions. Of Bowie’s "Heroes," Bon Iver’s "Flume" and more. Want another twist? A collection of Gabriel’s work by all the artists he covers here in a later album to be titled
I'll Scratch Yours.
Erik Hassle — Pieces (February 23): This Swedish-born, London-based popster’s the male
Annie, with a debut chock full of sugary pop confections. We love him, even though he looks like
Carrot Top.
Monica — Still Standing (March 9): No longer the young thang who sang with Brandy on "This Girl Is Mine," Monica stole Keyshia Cole's thunder when they dueted at last summer's
BET Awards, but the real drama's on her latest release, her first in four years.
Goldfrapp — Head First (March 23): Will it be a return to
Supernature or the low-key vibe of
Seventh Tree? First single "Rocket" — a dance floor bash — says prepare for lift off.
She & Him — Volume Two (March 23): Matt Ward and Zooey Deschanel
return to break indie hearts everywhere with 11 originals and two covers (including cult combo NRBQ’s "Ridin’ in My Car").
