10 of the most highly anticipated releases of 2016
10 important releases to look forward to in 2016
The new year is here and 2016 is already poised to be a monumental year for dance music. Some of the industry’s biggest names and most revered taste makers have already confirmed — or at least alluded to — new albums due to land in 2016. Beyond knowledge of the projects already announced, a slew of new music that we are all completely unaware of surely awaits us in the coming months too.
Take a look (in no particular order) at some of the most intriguing, tantalizing, and potentially game-changing releases to be expected in 2016.
1. The hallowed return of Justice
After Busy P confirmed details of the French duo’s third studio effort earlier this year, the Justice hype reignited like wild fire. Gaspard and Xavier have gone radio silent since the release of the Access All Arenas live record in 2013. Now as the pioneering crusaders of the cross prepare to ring in the new year with Bob Moses and Gesaffelstein in tow in New York City, the new album in the works secures a spot as one of the most anticipated releases of next year.
2. Baauer's debut full-length album
Baauer has commendably changed the course of his career in the most mature of ways. Following the relentless internet takeover of “Harlem Shake,” Baauer slipped into the shadows, taking the careful considerations necessary to really hone in on his craft and let his true production acumen develop. He followed with ß in 2014, and although his output this year has been steady, Harry Rodriguez most certainly has his best work still up his sleeve. With a full-length record due to land in early 2016, prepare for Baauer to reintroduce himself in a major way.
3. The Gorillaz confirm new music is on the way
Five years after their last studio record, Plastic Beach, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett have confirmed that The Gorillaz will make their triumphant return in 2016. While speculation of a feature with David Bowie has made rounds and Albarn has been stoking the fire with jam sessions alongside the likes of Noel Gallagher, the tight-lipped ‘toons haven’t offered up too much information on their forthcoming feature. All that they they have confirmed for certain is that in 2016, The Gorillaz will definitely be back in action.
4. Ü x 2
Diplo and Skrillex have created a monster with the Jack Ü supergroup. Pairing arguably the two biggest American DJs together under one moniker has proven to be a pop phenomenon that nobody could have expected. Taking a massive leap of faith with a Justin Bieber-assisted collaboration, Jack Ü hit the commercial space in the blink of an eye, and neither are looking back. Before the American Music Awards, where Jack Ü took home the prize for Collaboration of the Year, Skrillex confirmed that he and his Mad Decent counterpart were working on more Jack Ü magic. A confirmation of new Jack Ü music should nearly go without saying at this point, although no release date is in sight, yet. Together Skrillex and Diplo dominated dance music this year, theres no question they will be ready to defend the top spot as 2016 commences.
*And additionally, although no official information is available in any capacity as of now, a new Skrillex record to follow up Recess in 2016 would be an absolute blessing.
5. The xx hit the studio together
The xx have been teasing fans with new music for well over a year now, posting the occasional snippet of their studio sessions through their social media platforms. Though the three seem to be in no rush, their most recent upload to Instagram recently generated a new wave of hope for something new arriving in the tangible future. Captioned “Winter studio hibernation,” the photo depicted Romie, Oliver, and Jamie appearing engrossed in setting up their studio for presumably creating a bevy of new music. If the finished product of their time in the studio turns out to be a 2016 album release, it would be the third in the band’s repertoire.
6. Miike Snow tease their third studio record
At the end of October, Miike Snow made the unexpected, but welcomed return with a new track titled “Heart Is Full,” ending the band’s three-year silence. While the release of a new track sparked excitement amongst fans for more music to come, “Heart Is Full” itself was a far step away from the piano-driven and pop-to-the-core hits that Miike Snow championed years ago. Fans need not fear, though. Shortly afterwards, Miike Snow returned in full-swing with the second release from their forthcoming album iii, “Genghis Khan.” The new record is set for a March 4th release, giving fans plenty of time to get comfortable with the idea of a musically, aesthetically and newly transformed Miike Snow.
7. Flume to follow up on his self-titled debut
Flume introduced himself as Australia’s brightest new talent in 2012 behind his self-titled LP. At the time, it was impossible to know that a star of this magnitude was being born, but at the end of 2015, Flume has become one of the most forward-thinking international electronic music icons out there. Behind one of the best essential mixes of the year, and officially leaving the What So Not project to move onto greener pastures this year, theres reason to believe that going solo has given Harley time and resources necessary to move into the next exciting chapter of the Flume saga behind a new release.
8. M83 confirms a new record for summer 2016
Following the 2011 release of Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, it’s been seemingly quiet on the M83 front. Since then, the project’s mastermind Anthony Gonzalez scored the soundtrack for Oblivion and worked with artists like The Killers and Haim. In a new interview, though, Gonzalez reveals details about the forthcoming M83 album that is now complete. According to Gonzalez, he took time off after touring forHurry Up, We’re Dreaming, and explored other projects to get excited about making his own music again. Gonzalez, who states that the new feature is “more fun and fresh” than his last, calls the release “a very strong album with a lot of eclecticism.”
9. Prydz is finally ready to offer his 'Opus' to the world
Eric Prydz has been due for a full-length album for years, but it wasn’t until recently that he had finally announced an official release date for his debut artist album, Opus. Paired with his unparalleled Beats One shows and the coming of EPIC 4.0, Opus is about to become a milestone in Eric Prydz’s already impressive career. The album will be composed of two discs, the first of which contains brand-new Eric Prydz music. Meanwhile, Opus’second disc will contain familiar tracks like “Liberate” and “Generate,” while still offering up a handful of unheard music.
10. Peace may be the mission, Major Lazer says 'Music is the Weapon'
In an interview with IntheMix in 2015, one third of Major Lazer, Walshy Fire said that the trio’s next album will be called Music Is The Weapon and should be out sometime in 2016. At the time of the interview it seemed the only thing holding Major Lazer up is choosing picking the tracklist; “We have about two more albums worth of material.” This will be the group’s fourth album since they got their start back in 2009 with Guns Don’t Kill People… Lazers Do