December is a time for rejoicing and reflecting. How did this yr go? And what is going to come subsequent? As we glance again on the meteoric 2023 and begin planning for 2024, there’s a sundry of recent music to usher on this journey.
This month, artists like Alicia Keys and the Killers will have a good time 20-year anniversaries with The Diary Of Alicia Keys 20 and Insurgent Diamonds, respectively. Others will convey forth much-awaited sequels, like Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 and Chief Keef’s Almighty So 2. Including to that, reside performances by Pink and Khruangbin will get immortalized, whereas rising star Tate McRae will launch her sophomore effort, Assume Later, and Dove Cameron will debut Alchemical: Vol. 1.
Beneath is a information to all of the must-hear releases of December 2023, simply in time to soundtrack your festivities and welcome in an inspiring new yr. Learn on for large releases from ATEEZ, Peter Gabriel, Neil Younger, and extra.
Dove Cameron – Alchemical: Vol. 1
Launch date: Dec. 1
Following Dove Cameron’s viral, platinum-certified 2022 hit “Boyfriend,” expectations had been excessive for the artist’s first studio album. The singer and actress will launch Alchemical: Vol. 1 on the prime of the month.
“I wrote Quantity 1 throughout a interval of deep therapeutic and house to course of that I had by no means given myself. I hope you are feeling your self in these songs as a lot as I do. Half 1: tear down. Half 2: rebuild,” the singer shared on Instagram, teasing Vol. 2 of the gathering (launch date but to be introduced).
A follow-up to Cameron’s 2019 debut EP Bloodshot / Waste, Vol. 1 options eight tracks. Apart from “Boyfriend,” she has revealed singles “Breakfast,” “Deadly Girl,” and “Sand,” increase a sultry sound and an alluring mystique that immediate her as one to look at.
Dillon Francis – This Mixtape Is Hearth TOO
Launch date: Dec. 1
Eight years after This Mixtape Is Hearth, Dillon Francis’ newest “turned out higher than I may have ever imagined,” the DJ and producer shared on Instagram about his forthcoming album, This Mixtape Is Hearth TOO.
“The entire purpose of this album was to make wonderful songs with artists I like and respect,” he added. The 14-track document options a number of 2022 singles, corresponding to “Free” with Alesso and Clementine Douglas, “LA On Acid” with Good Instances Forward, “Fairly Individuals” with INJI, “Do not Let Me Let Go” with Illenium and Evan Giia and “buttons!” with Knock2.
Apart from collaborating with a few of dance music’s greatest names, Francis appears intent on having enjoyable. His newest single, “I’m My Solely Buddy” with Arden Jones, demonstrates that by pairing up his attribute high-octane beats with an amusing music video that includes actor Billy Zane in an impromptu highway journey journey.
ATEEZ – THE WORLD EP.FIN: WILL
Launch date: Dec. 1
Okay-pop’s favourite pirates ATEEZ are on the point of launch their second Korean full album: THE WORLD EP.FIN: WILL. The document will conclude the trilogy that started with EPs The World EP.1: Motion and The World EP.2: Outlaw.
With a slew of teaser photos and a mysterious black-and-white trailer, the eight-member boy band continues to additional their lore and go away followers desperate to decipher their subsequent chapters. As well as, a tracklist and an instrumental preview of the album’s upcoming 12 songs, together with title monitor “Loopy Kind,” had been revealed, promising thrilling twists to their thunderous beats.
EP.FIN: WILL additionally brings a shock in its unit and solo songs, all with lyrics co-written by the members: Jongho brings his highly effective vocals to “The whole lot,” “Youth” is a duet by Mingi and Yunho, “It’s You” is carried out by Yeosang, San, and Wooyoung, and “MATZ” is the long-awaited collaboration between the band’s two eldest members, Hongjoong and Seonghwa.
Khruangbin – Reside at Sydney Opera Home
Launch date: Dec. 1
After a yearlong sequence of reside albums in partnership with different artists (Toro y Moi, Males I Belief, Nubia Garcya and others), Khruangbin will shut out 2023 with the upcoming Reside at Sydney Opera Home — this time on their very own.
The double LP was recorded in November 2022, and compiles their three-night residency at one in every of Australia’s most prestigious venues. With the announcement, the Texas trio additionally shared a brand new model of their 2015 hit, “Individuals In every single place (Shifting Sands Remix).”
The setlist additionally consists of classics like “So We Gained’t Neglect,” “A Calf Born in Winter” and “Friday Morning,” testifying to the band’s experience in highlighting the most effective of their profession whereas giving tracks a contemporary, sudden spin.
Alicia Keys – The Diary Of Alicia Keys 20
Launch date: Dec. 1
The tip-of-year celebrations will begin early for Alicia Keys and her followers. On Dec. 1, the 15-time GRAMMY winner will launch a particular model of her multiplatinum sophomore album, The Diary of Alicia Keys, to be able to have a good time its twentieth anniversary.
The 2023 LP will characteristic 24 tracks, together with 9 bonus songs together with the beforehand unreleased “Golden Youngster.” Keys additionally uprezzed 4 music movies from that period on YouTube: “Karma,” “You Don’t Know My Identify,” “If I Ain’t Acquired You” and the reside model of “Diary” with Tony! Toni! Toné! and Jermaine Paul.
To make the milestone much more particular, Keys will carry out the total album in an intimate, one-night-only live performance at New York’s Webster Corridor on the day of launch. A portion of the earnings might be donated to the nonprofit group she co-founded in 2003, Maintain a Youngster Alive.
Peter Gabriel – i/o
Launch date: Dec. 1
Throughout each full moon this yr, Peter Gabriel unveiled a brand new monitor off his upcoming studio album, i/o. It was a intelligent option to compensate followers for a prolonged wait. i/o is Gabriel’s first LP of recent and authentic content material since 2002’s Up, and has been within the works for nearly three many years.
“I’m very glad to see all these new songs again collectively on the nice ship i/o and prepared for his or her journey out into the world,” the British singer stated in a press launch. With 12 tracks “of grace, gravity and nice magnificence,” the album tackles themes just like the passage of time, grief and injustice, however by no means provides up on hope. Every monitor is available in three variations: the Vibrant-Aspect Combine by Mark ‘Spike’ Stent, the Darkish-Aspect Combine by Tchad Blake, and the In-Aspect Combine by Hans-Martin Buff.
Gabriel additionally spent a superb a part of 2023 on the i/o Tour throughout Europe and North America. Attendees had been fortunate to witness the album performed in full and a number of the singer’s greatest hits, in addition to the unreleased monitor “What Lies Forward.”
Ambiance – Discuss Discuss EP
Launch date: Dec. 1
From “Discuss Discuss (feat. Bat Flower),” a monitor off Ambiance’s Could album So Many Different Realities Exist Concurrently, comes Discuss Discuss EP. In line with a press launch, the Minneapolis duo was so captivated by that track’s “vaguely alien and deeply human” sounds that they needed to develop it right into a ten-track deep dive.
Within the album, rapper Slug and DJ/producer Ant “dart throughout threads of space-time” and develop into “titans of the electro-rap that was foundational to their youths,” citing names like Kraftwerk and Egyptian Lover as inspirations. The press launch additionally mentions that Discuss Discuss EP is a testomony to rap’s connection to digital music of the ‘70s and ‘80s.
That assertion rings true, as an example, within the two singles they’ve launched thus far, apart from “Discuss Discuss”: the sparkly “Rotary Phone,” and the haunting album nearer, “Touring Perpetually.”
Pink – Trustfall Tour Deluxe Version
Launch date: Dec. 1
Following the smashing success of her ninth studio album, February’s Trustfall, and of her back-to-back Summer time Carnival stadium tour and Trustfall area tour this yr, pop big Pink will wrap all of it up with the discharge of Trustfall Tour Deluxe Version on Dec. 1.
The particular document options six reside recordings (from Summer time Carnival), together with “Cowl Me in Sunshine” together with her daughter Willow Sage Hart, in addition to covers of Sade’s “No Odd Love” and Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” with Brandi Carlile. It additionally consists of July’s protest track “Irrelevant” and two new singles: “Dreaming” with Marshmello and Sting and “All Out of Struggle.”
Because the unstoppable artist that she is, Pink has already introduced a slew of 2024 Summer time Carnival tour dates for Oceania in February and March, and the U.Okay. and Europe all through June and July.
Tate McRae – Assume Later
Launch date: Dec. 8
“Right here’s to twenty years previous and figuring who the f[—] i’m,” celebrated rising sensation Tate McRae wrote on Instagram. Writing her sophomore album, Assume Later, was “probably the most worrying, thrilling, nerve racking, and enjoyable issues I’ve ever gone by means of. For the primary time in my life I lived this yr rather less with my head and a bit of extra with my instinct — and I [really] hope [you] guys can really feel that by means of the music,” she added.
Produced by Ryan Tedder, the album dives into “the all-too-relatable emotions of falling in love and embracing the uncooked feelings that you just expertise because of main together with your instinct and coronary heart,” in response to a press launch. It’s preceded by singles “Grasping” — of latest TikTok fame — and “Exes.”
The Canadian singer has additionally introduced an eponymous tour in assist of the brand new album. McRae will go to Europe and North America from April to August 2024, bringing it to an in depth in Oceania all through November.
Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday 2
Launch date: Dec. 8
After a number of postponements, rap famous person Nicki Minaj is celebrating her birthday by bringing Pink Friday 2 to the world. The much-expected launch marks Minaj’s first studio album since 2018’s Queen.
The album is a sequel to her acclaimed debut, 2010’s Pink Friday, and is supported by two singles, “Tremendous Freaky Lady” and “Final Time I Noticed You.” Throughout an Instagram Reside on Oct. 24, as reported by Individuals, Minaj shared that “this complete album would be the greatest present I’ve ever given humanity to this point. I can stand by that. I’ll guess any amount of cash that Pink Friday 2, the album, goes to make folks fall in love instantly.”
The Trinidadian American icon just lately introduced a 2024 tour in North America and Europe. Precise dates are but to be introduced, however the commotion was such that Minaj’s fandom, Barbz, crashed her web site upon listening to the information.
The Killers – Insurgent Diamonds
Launch date: Dec. 8
It’s been nearly 20 years for the reason that Killers burst into the rock scene with their 2004 debut Sizzling Fuss. To honor that achievement, the Las Vegas band will launch Insurgent Diamonds, a compilation of 20 hits encompassing all their seven LPs, plus new monitor “Spirit.”
Within the tracklist, followers will have the ability to make a journey down reminiscence lane with singles like “Mr. Brightside,” “When You Have been Younger,” and “Human,” amongst different classics. “See, it’s been stated that what’s remembered, lives,” frontman Brandon Flowers stated in a trailer for the album. “And we’ve racked up stadiums filled with reminiscences the previous 20 years, sufficient to fill lifetimes.”
Flowers continued: “It sounds a bit like Bowie. Or is it Brando? Or possibly it is someplace in between? It at all times is with us. And to our legion of victims, thanks, thanks, thanks. And don’t concern. There’s extra mining to be finished.” The Killers launched one other better of in 2013, Direct Hits.
Neil Younger – Earlier than and After
Launch date: Dec. 8
“Songs from my life, just lately recorded, create a music montage with no beginnings or endings.” That’s how people legend Neil Younger described his upcoming forty fifth studio album, Earlier than and After, in a press assertion.
The document spans a set of 13 solo acoustic re-recordings amongst Younger’s favorites in his catalog. The assertion provides that “every of the songs mix and create one steady circulation, clocking in at a 48-minute pure and intimate listening expertise,” with Younger summarizing it as an expertise the place “the sensation is captured, not in items, however as a complete piece — designed to be listened to that means.”
Younger additionally co-produced and co-mixed the document, which incorporates the previously-unreleased monitor “If You Acquired Love,” amongst classics corresponding to 1966’s “Burned,” 1970’s “Birds” and 1994’s “A Dream That Can Final.” Earlier than and After is the newest in a sequence of archival releases by Younger, arriving just some months after “misplaced” album Chrome Desires.
Automotive Seat Headrest – Faces From the Masquerade
Launch date: Dec. 8
In March 2022, indie band Automotive Seat Headrest was taking part in a three-night residency at New York’s Brooklyn Metal. As a result of COVID-19 pandemic, they requested the viewers to masks up, but additionally to “accoutre your self in no matter additional costumery you please” for a night of “music, dancing, and id loss,” in response to a press launch.
The results of that have is Faces From the Masquerade, CSH’s upcoming double album that can convey the magic of these nights to the world. “The 2022 Masquerade was a loopy tour that ignited with a specific ferocity as soon as we touched floor on the east coast,” stated vocalist Will Toledo in a press release. “Our time in New York captures that momentary magic the place we’re taking part in at our peak and the gang is responding as one big physique.”
Faces From the Masquerade options 14 of the band’s greatest tracks as rearranged, revamped reside variations — for instance, “Deadlines” went by means of changes “to show it into the climactic dance monster it at all times wished to be,” added Toledo. The document has been described as “concurrently a joyride by means of the best hits and a dialog with the devoted and ever-growing following that has fashioned across the band, their songs and reside communions.”
Michael Nau – Accompany
Launch date: Dec. 8
Multihyphenate Michael Nau has been constructing an in depth indie discography for the reason that mid-’00s, each because the frontman of bands Cotton Jones and Web page France and as a soloist. Subsequent month, he’ll add on to that by releasing his fifth studio album, Accompany.
The album got here to be when producer Adrien Olsen (the Killers, Lucy Dacus) invited Nau to document at his Richmond, Virginia studio. “I didn’t have a lot of a plan earlier than Adrien reached out, so I wrote some songs particularly for the session,” Nau defined in a launch. “It had been some time since I’d made music in a room with different folks. We simply kind of began taking part in and didn’t actually speak about what was occurring.”
The document’s 11 tracks “come collectively to color an attractive image” with imaginative lyrics that handle to be “introspective, however imprecise and open-ended. Nau just lately introduced tour dates throughout the U.S. from February to April 2024.
Chief Keef – Almighty So 2
Launch date: Dec. 15
Rumors about Almighty So 2, the sequel to Chief Keef’s revered 2013 mixtape of the identical title, have been happening since 2018. The Chicago drill pioneer went so far as teasing the duvet artwork on Instagram in 2019 — solely to spend years with out additional updates. In any case, it looks as if the wait is lastly over: Almighty So 2 is scheduled to drop on Dec. 15.
At first of November, Keef shared two new cowl arts for the album on Instagram, underneath the caption “2 actual quickly.” Whereas there’s no additional information, the album will characteristic 17 tracks, together with 2022 singles “Tony Montana Circulate” and “Racks Stuffed Inna Sofa,” in response to Apple Music.
Almighty So 2 is Chief Keef’s fifth studio album, arriving after 2021’s 4NEM. Not too long ago, the rapper was featured on the monitor “All The Events” off Drake’s newest album, For All The Canines. This collaboration elevated speculations a couple of doable Drake characteristic on Keef’s album as effectively — the latter commented “Don’t overlook them vocals, crody” on Drake’s Instagram again in August.
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