We won't lie: The warm months lack a definitive, headline-grabbing release. Still, these should sound plenty fine on a hot day with the windows down. A preview:
The Hold Steady — Heaven Is Whenever {May 4}
More anthem bar songs that will sound great sober and 10 deep.
Future Islands — In Evening Air {May 4}
B-more band with national-attention potential drops a second full-length.
The National — High Violet {May 11}
Indie rock's best baritone leads the way for the band's fifth album (left).
Band of Horses — Infinite Arms {May 18}
Beloved quintet makes major-label debut.
LCD Soundsystem — This Is Happening {May 18}
Trademark cheeky lyrics and sad beats to dance to.
Christina Aguilera — Bionic {June 8}
A “futuristic”-sounding album (right) will put Aguilera in an unfamiliar lane.
Drake — Thank Me Later {June 15}
Toronto’s great hope builds on a formula that earned him Grammy nods for a free mix tape.
Game — The R.E.D. Album {June 15}
Working with Dre and producer Pharrell, the West Coast problem child returns.
Eminem — Recovery {June 22}
Em works with super producer Just Blaze for the first time.
M.I.A. — TBD {June}
Hard to find details, but the “Paper Planes” artist will get our attention.
Big Boi — Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty {July 6}
It’s been long delayed, but we’re keeping the faith, thanks to the banging single “Shutterbugg.”
Kanye West — TBD {Summer?}
New material is rumored to be West rapping over hard, old school-sounding beats.
T.I. — King Uncaged {Aug. 17}
Tip’s first album since completing his sentence for weapons charges.