10 albums for 2011

Whatever tickles your musical fancy (and right now we’re going crackers for horror chillpop bass*, seriously, we’re so bang on trend), 2011 is bound to have something in its sonic library for you.

How do we know? Well, we’ve had a cheeky rub of our crystal ball and out of the fog appeared the following information: ten albums from ten of our favourite artists. Splendid.

And yes, *horror chillpop bass is a figment of our imagination, but give it a few months...

(Images: Getty, Rex)

The Streets: Computers and Blues

Mike Skinner has already declared the fifth Streets album to be his last. He’s going out in some style: the frenetic Computers and Blues sees the lairy geezer of early Streets records taking stock of his life, 10 years on. Melancholic, but magically so.

Released: February 7

The Strokes: TBC

New York’s finest could release an album of jazz noodlings with Julian Casablancas reading out the football results over the top and the world and his wife would still go bananas. Be that as it may, the news that their as-yet-untitled fourth album is a return to the blistering new wave pop of Is This It, is most welcome indeed.

Released: By March apparently

Elbow: Build a Rocket Boys!

Following up the elephantine success of the award-laden The Seldom Seen Kid, was never going to be an easy task, but according to early reports, Guy Garvey and his merry men have cracked it.

Released: March 7

Beady Eye: Different Gear, Still Speeding

The reaction to their first single, Bring The Light, was mixed to say the least, but interest in Liam Gallagher’s post-Oasis outfit (and also featuring Gem Archer and Andy Bell) is bound to be high. Although a certain Noel Gallagher is missing, it would be prudent to expect something similar to the last Oasis releases.

Released: February 28

Radiohead: TBC

Late last year Radiohead bassist Colin Greenwood confirmed that the group had completed a new set of songs, but were unsure how to release them in the present digital landscape. Talk is of a series of EPs, but don’t be surprised to see them suddenly release another album à la In Rainbows.

Released: Sometime in 2011

U2: Songs of Ascent

Although U2’s latest longplayer is shrouded in mystery – talk is of them working with everyone from Danger Mouse and will.i.am to David Guetta and Brian Eno – Bono has long spoken of the new album being called Songs of Ascent. Longtime U2 manager Paul McGuinness has hinted an album will see the light of day early this year.

Released: Pre-summer

Lady Gaga: Born This Way

Say what you like about Lady Gaga – and plenty of people have – there’s no ignoring her. Born This Way has been described as a marriage of electronic music, rock’n’roll, pop, anthemic style melodies and sledge hammer dance beats. No doubt some extravagant clothing will accompany its release.

Released: May 23

Foo Fighters: TBC

Dave Grohl and chums first album in four years is said to be the band’s most raucous of their decidedly heavy career. And if that doesn’t whet the appetite, rumours that Grohl’s former Nirvana bandmate Krist Novoselic plays accordion on one track should.

Released: Sometime in spring.

R.E.M.: Collapse Into Now

These days most bands run out of steam after a couple of albums. Not R.E.M.. Collapse Into Now is the 15th studio album of their illustrious career. Featuring collaborations with Patti Smith, Eddie Vedder and Peaches, among others, it also promises to be one of the band’s most colourful records to date.

Released: March 7

Arctic Monkeys: TBC

Will Josh Homme return to the mixing desk? Will it be called The Start of the New Empire? Not much is known about everyone’s favourite cheeky Sheffield scamps’ fourth album, but whatever sees the light of day will doubtless get music fans doing a merry little jig.

Released: Late 2011.