Traditionally, the first months of a new year have been a very slow time for top new pop albums. It looks like 2011 has one of the most exciting early release schedules in a long time. Some of the world's biggest pop stars are planning to release their new albums early in the year.
10. Paul Simon - So Beautiful Or So What
Courtesy Concord Music Group
Anticipated Release Date: April 12, 2011
Legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon has already stated that this upcoming album is the best new work he has done in 20 years. That would place it next to the landmarks Graceland and Rhythm Of the Saints. The new collection is expected to have influences from bluegrass and perhaps a guest appearance by Bob Dylan. It includes the holiday release "Getting Ready For Christmas Day."
9. Chris Brown - F.A.M.E.
Photo by Valerie Macon / Getty Images
Anticipated Release Date: Early 2011
Chris Brown's career does clearly seem to be on the mend. That will make F.A.M.E. perhaps the most important album he has released thus far. Will it continue his momentum? Rumors are that Drake will make an appearance and the current top 20 hit "Yeah 3X" is considered the official first single.
8. Jay-Z and Kanye West - Watch the Throne
Photo by Scott Gries / Getty Images
Anticipated Release Date: March 1, 2011
They are arguably the two biggest forces in hip hop today. A collaborative album is truly an event. Kanye West's most recent release My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was the critic's choice for the album event of 2010. Jay-Z's most recent The Blueprint 3 was another landmark in a phenomenal career. Watch the Throne was originally expected to be a five song EP, but it now appears to be a full-length studio album.
7. R.E.M. - Collapse Into Now
Courtesy Warner Bros.
Anticipated Release Date: March 8, 2011
R.E.M.'s last studio album Accelerate was their highest charting effort in 12 years landing at #2 on the album chart. Collapse Into Now looks to continue that momentum with guest appearances from punk pioneer Patti Smith and Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. In their long career R.E.M. have released six platinum studio albums including two that went all the way to #1 on the album chart.
6. Lupe Fiasco - Lasers
Photo by Joe Corrigan / Getty Images
Anticipated Release Date: March 8, 2011
Lupe Fiasco is not only one of the most critically acclaimed of rappers, but his last album Lupe Fiasco's The Cool also included his major pop breakthrough, the top 10 hit single "Superstar." The album's title is an acronym for "Love Always Shines, Everytime Remember 2 Smile."
5. David Cook - TBA
Photo by Frazer Harrison / Getty Images
Anticipated Release Date: Early 2011
2008 American Idol winner David Cook reached platinum success with his first post-Idol album. It also included two platinum selling singles. More than two years later fans are eagerly awaiting the next release. Expect it to be more melodic rock featuring David Cook's powerful singing voice.
4. Adele - 21
Courtesy Columbia
Anticipated Release Date: February 22, 2011
Adele won the 2009 Grammy Award for Best New Artist and she is out to prove that was no fluke. The first single from 21 is "Rolling In the Deep," and it is a quite powerful recording. Rick Rubin and Ryan Tedder are among the studio collaborators on the new collection.
3. Avril Lavigne - Goodbye Lullaby
Courtesy RCA
Anticipated Release Date: March 8, 2011
Despite record label conflicts, the fourth studio album from Avril Lavigne is officially on its way. It includes the new single "What the Hell." Avril Lavigne has sold more than 10 million albums in the US alone. There is a large, loyal fan base waiting for this.
2. Britney Spears - TBA
Photo by Jason Merritt / Getty Images
Anticipated Release Date: March 2011
The phenomenal musical comeback of Britney Spears is largely unprecedented. Her last two albums Blackout and Circus have received critical acclaim, sold a combined total of nearly three million copies in the US and generated five top 20 pop hit singles. The first single from Britney Spears' new album is titled "Hold It Against Me" and is expected in January 2011. The full album should follow two months later. We're all impatiently holding our breath for the next installment of Britney Spears.
1. Lady Gaga - Born This Way
Photo by Jemal Countess / Getty Images
Anticipated Release Date: May 23, 2011
Lady Gaga is the world's biggest pop star. Naturally, the release of her second full-length studio album is so far the pop music event of the year. She has made powerful claims about the quality of this release. Is it just hyperbole? Or does Lady Gaga know just how good her music is? The first single from Born This Way is expected February 13, 2011.
