Just when you thought you were out … they pull you back in. Some of music’s biggest stars have taken a stand against this year’s creative apathy to bless us with a whole new batch of amazing album drops this December.
Everyone from Britney to McCartney has joined in the movement and we couldn’t be more excited – DDW take a look at the very best new music to lift your spirits:
Britney Spears & Backstreet Boys – Matches
It’s Britney b*tch… but also The Backstreet Boys. The two most iconic pop figures of the 1990’s have returned with Matches – a characteristically catchy track with all the elements of a 90s hit; infectious chorus, auto-tune and sickly-sweet melodic overtones.
If there was ever a sign that nostalgia is back again, this is it. The track comes a part of a remastered drop of Britney’s 2016 hit Glory album which was re-released last week. Your retro dreams have been fulfilled.
Taylor Swift – Evermore
Not one but TWO album drops in 2020; Swifty is on fire. Evermore joins Folklore as another immediate contemporary classic, proving yet again that the young singer/songwriter can hold her own with the best of them.
The new album features fifteen new songs plus two bonus songs on the physical edition and continues the storytelling initiated on July’s release; describing Evermore as the fall/winter to Folklore’s spring/summer.
Swift commented; “There was something different with [Folklore]. In making it, I felt less like I was departing and more like I was returning. I loved the escapism I found in these imaginary/not imaginary tales. I loved the ways you welcomed the dreamscapes and tragedies and epic tales of love lost and found into your lives. So I just kept writing them.”
And thank goodness for that – we could all use a bit of magical escapism during this crazy year.
Paul McCartney – McCartney III
Proving that it is not just young pop-stars that are still putting out albums this year, rock legend Sir Paul McCartney returns to the centerstage with a reflectively powerful album written and recorded, entirely in lockdown.
McCartney III harkens back to the singer’s debut album in 1970, famously written at a time when the Beatles were disintegrating as a band and he retired to the countryside to re-centre with his family (a moment which was beautifully captured by his then wife, photographer Linda McCartney).
His new work feels fresh and comfortingly familiar at the same time – a winning combination by any measure. Macca’s still got it.
DUO – DUO
Earlier this year The Kook’s frontman Luke Pritchard announced an upcoming collaboration with his new wife; singer Ellie Rose. With upbeat 70’s disco riffs and underlying Brit-pop influences this new collab promises to be a firm new favourite. Their inaugural full length album will be released on December 18th. We couldn’t be more excited.
Troye Sivan & Kacey Musgraves feat. Mark Ronson – Easy
Mark Ronson pairs up with dynamic duo Troye Sivan & Kacey Musgraves for a killer new version of Troye’s July 2020 release ‘Easy’ – the predictable result is foot stompingly great pop magic. The collab’s video is a win also, telling the story of two young refugees hiding out in an American road-side motel.
Chris Cornell – No One Sings Like You Anymore
A more somber addition to this list but no less beautiful; the family of the late Soundgarden singer (which includes his wife and Alice in Chains manager Susan Silver and singer Lillian Cornell) have released a full length album collection of his favourite covers including his takes on Lennon, Joplin, Axl Rose and Prince – among others.
It is impossible to not feel moved by this hauntingly beautiful album and in particular his version of Prince’s Nothing Compares 2 U.