Most anticipated of 2013

Here is my personal most anticipated list of 2013. I incorporated a wide genre of music from some of my favorite artists who are planning on releasing albums this year. However, some of these albums have tentative release dates so we could see them slip into 2014 or even later for that matter. Leave a comment in the comments section about what albums you're anticipating, or any albums you feel I missed.




A Day To Remember
Release Date: Summer to be announced (TBA)
Record Label: TBA

Why?
This band is a mammoth every year they get more and more popular with their unique blend of hardcore and pop punk.Their last album What Separates Me From You was a solid release, but definitely showed some signs of their sound beginning to stagnate. In my opinion A Day To Remember is always better during their heavier moments and this album promises to bring the heavy. The latest single from Common Courtesy Violence (Enough is Enough) suggests the album is shaping up to be a dark one. Frontman Jeremy McKinnon commented in an interview about Common Courtesy that this album would be a throwback to the groups roots and that the album is best thing they have collectively written. If Jeremy's claim is true than 2013 will be another great year for A Day To Remember.





Astronautilis/P.O.S.
Release Date: TBA
Record Label: Rhymesayers/Doomtree

Why?
After Astronautilis released arguably his best album This Is Our Science at the end of 2011 and P.O.S. released some of his greatest material in 2012 on his album We Don't Even Live Here, who wouldn't be excited for their collaboration album? The album or group name is supposedly called The Four Fists. Both artists reported they had roughly five songs completed in 2010. In a 2010 interview they were aiming to have the collaboration album done by the end of that year, but not before both artists released their solo albums. However, things per usual didn't go as planned and Astronautilis didn't release his album till the tail end of 2011, and P.O.S. didn't see his solo release until the fall of 2012. Now that both artists have their solo material out, it seems likely The Four Fists is next on their agenda. Let's pray P.O.S.'s surgery doesn't slow him down enough to see The Four Fists slip into 2014. You can read the 2010 interview here Astronautalis and P.O.S. interview




Balance and Composure
Release Date: TBA
Record Label: No Sleep

Why?
In 2011 Balance and Composure (B&C) released their first full length album Separation. Separation grew to be one of my personal favorites of 2011 and for good reason. With it's angst filled vocals and triple guitar assault it's captivating from start to finish. B & C are notorious for their slow and somber moments right before they send you a sonic punch to the face that hits you like a needle filled with adrenaline. Separation was personal, raw, and emotional throughout. Everything you could every want from B & C album. Since Separation they've had two new releases. One a single titled Seahorse which could have been right at home as a bonus track for Separation, yet still showcased the bands effort in refining their sound. The second release was an acoustic EP with acoustic renditions of Separation tracks, showing the band flexing their more melodic muscles. B & C is scheduled to release a split EP with Braid this February and hopefully soon after announce their plans for a full length.



Brand New
Release Date: TBA
Record Label: TBA

Why?
It's been nearly four years since Brand New has released Daisy. The longest time Brand New has gone without releasing any new material. Jesse Lacey the vocalist of Brand New has hinted at a new release and confirmed the band spent some time in the studio in April of 2012. Brand New is a rather unpredictable bunch, but here is to hoping we hear something new from them in 2013. Here is the latest interview with Jesse Lacey regarding their new album.Jesse Lacey Interview



Bring Me The Horizon
Release Date: 4/30/13
Record Label: Epitaph

Why?
Bring Me The Horizon (BMTH) is one of the rare bands that understands the concept of "maturing" their music while still maintaining their core sound. BMTH proved this in 2010 when they released the fantastic album There Is A Hell Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is A Heaven Let's Keep It A Secret. BMTH cut their deathcore roots and embraced vocal and instrumental melodies. Frontman Oli Sykes proved he wasn't just good at screaming, but singing as well. Sempiternal is the name if BMTH's new album set to release April 30th this year. Sempiternal is defined as eternal and everlasting. If BMTH can surpass what they achieved with There Is A Hell, then expect BMTH to make their everlasting mark on the metalcore scene in 2013.



Chiodos
Release Date: Fall TBA
Record Label: Equal Vision Records

Why?
Craig Owens the original vocalist, as well as most of the original line-up, is back in action. Not to mention that Thomas Erak of Fall of Troy fame has officially joined the band as a full time recording and touring member. This has my interest raised to an all time high. I could not think of a better fit for Chiodo's eccentric and sporadic music than Thomas Erak. Chiodos took the scene by storm with their first two albums and divided fans with their third release. With their original vocalist back and the guitar prowess of Thomas Erak their new album promises to be a return to form. Expect Chiodos to retake the scene in 2013.



The Cinema
Release Date: TBA
Record Label: Self Released

Why?
The year 2013 is giving us both a new album from The Cinema and Lydia. The Cinema is the side project from Lydia's frontman Leighton Antolman and producer Matt Malpass. In 2011 we went yet another year without new music from The Postal Service, but in its place was the duo's album My Blood Is Full Of Airplanes (MBIFOA), MBIFOA should have been called My Blood Is Full Of Hooks because if Antolman and Malpass know one thing, it's how to write a good hook. Each song on MBIFOA is single worthy and I can't wait to see how the duo plans to evolve upon their already solid foundation.



Dance Gavin Dance
Release Date: Summer TBA
Record Label: Rise Records

Why?
Dance Gavin Dance (DGD) is infamous in the scene for their constant line up changes. However, the band continues to pump out consistently good releases, that all manage to maintain that "DGD sound" no matter who is on vocals. This time around DGD has acquired Tillian Pearson, the ex vocalist of Tides Of Man, to fill vocal duties. Johnny Craig and Kurt Travis left big shoes to fill, but if you caught DGD on the Rock Yourself To Sleep tour then you know Tillian Pearson is more than capable of the challenge. Guitarist Will Swan in his latest interview said this was the most solid line up the band has had. 2013 could not only bring us a great Dance Gavin Dance album, but a year without a line up change from the band.



The Dear Hunter
Release Date: 4/2/13
Record Label: Equal Vision Records

Why?

The Dear Hunter's latest album is called Migrant and is set to release this April. Casey Crescenzo is a machine having already released four albums under The Dear Hunter moniker, with his greatest achievement being his release of The Color Spectrum in 2011. The Color Spectrum has songs reflecting the wide range of emotions different colors give us from violet to black, Crescenzo covers it all. You can stream a song off Migrant here Stream Song. If the rest of this album is as good as that song then 2013 will be another great year for Crescenzo as The Dear Hunter.


Drake
Release Date: TBA
Record Label: Cash Money/Universal Records

Why?
Drake is one of the few mainstream hip hop artists that continues to capture my attention with every release. He is one of the few hip hop artists that has the ability to introspect when it comes to his lyrics, call him too emotional, at least he tries to keep it real. Drake has grown from album to album refining his sound and lyrics. In 2011 he introduced the world to #yolo, so let's trust that 2013 Drake will show us the true meaning of #yolo. by living his life to the fullest and bringing us one of his best albums.



Fireworks
Release Date: Summer/Fall TBA
Record Label: Triple Crown Records

Why?
Fireworks brand of pop punk is the kind of pop punk that just reminds you of late summer nights with friends, beach days, and that special kind of summer romance. Its the perfect music to sing along with friends in the car with the windows down. In 2011 Fireworks released Gospel which carved the bands own niche in the ever growing pop punk scene, while also showing great growth for the band.If Fireworks can top Gospel in 2013 expect this band to become huge.



Justin Timberlake
Release Date: 3/19/13
Record Label: Jive Records

Why?
It's been nearly seven years since Justin Timberlake's album Future Sex/Love Sounds took the pop music industry by storm in 2006. Timberlake left some big shoes for himself to fill, and the pop scene has become overcrowded since he left the in 2006. Here's to hoping 2013 has Timberlake showing the plethora of pop stars how to do pop music right.



LetLive.
Release Date: TBA
Record Label: Epitaph

Why?
LetLive's previous album Fake History is listed in Rock Sounds 101 Modern Classics list for a good reason, it's a nearly perfect post hardcore album. Fantastic lyricism and vocals from Jason Butler backed by some truly excellent instrumentation makes Fake History a must listen for post hardcore fans. The album is 11 songs of adrenaline fueled rock and roll that only stops to let you catch your breathe on the atmospheric ballad like track Muther. If LetLive can top their own record then they will cement the benchmark for hardcore bands for years to come. No exaggeration there.



Lydia
Release Date: Spring
Record Label: TBA

Why?
Lydia is a band that with their sophomore album achieved a sound that was so refined you'd think that it was at least their 6th studio album. Having gone on hiatus in 2010 and losing all their original members apart from Leighton Antolman and Craig Taylor, the duo rebounded in 2011 with their third full length Paint It Golden. Paint It Golden proved to fans that Lydia is here to stay, and with a sound similar to what made their sophomore effort Illuminate so great. I have faith that 2013 will give us another great Lydia album.



Moving Mountains
Release Date: TBA
Record Label: Triple Crown Records

Why?
Moving Mountains is one of the greatest ambient rock bands of the decade. Every song is so intricately produced and filled with layers of string instruments, bells, and piano melodies that really breathes life into their songs. Their album Waves was a great example of the band refining their sound and making it more accessible to audiences, drifting away from their previous nine minute epics. Moving Mountains is a band that knows what fits and what doesn't. If what we get from them is an even more refined album than Waves was then expect something as close to perfect as perfect can be in terms of ambient post hardcore rock music.



Of Machines
Release Date: TBA
Record Label: Self Released

Of Machines disbanded in 2009 after releasing their debut album As If Everything Was Held In Place the same year. The album garnered an almost cult like adoration for it's then creative use of atmospheric effects and synth sprinkled over the layered vocals and instruments. The band noticed the admiration for the album and decided to come back together to release an EP this year. While not technically an album it's still exciting to hear from this group again. However; the group also hinted at more to come if the EP was successful.



Senses Fail
Release Date: 3/26/13
Record Label: Staple Records (Division of Red Bull Records)

Why?
The Fire, Senses Fail's latest album is easily the groups best work. Buddy Nelson took vocal lessons before the album and it definitely shows. When asked about Renacer Buddy Nelson responded with "the approach to this record was to embrace change and explore a different side of the band.The process was long, but was probably the smoothest out of any other record because we wrote without any boundaries." Renacer is Spanish for "to be reborn," if Renacer delivers on its promise than Senses Fail's rebirth could be one of the best albums of 2013.

The Story So Far
Release Date: 3/26/13
Record Label: Pure Noise Records

Why?
If your a fan of pop punk music then you must have heard The Story So Far's excellent debut album Under Soil And Dirt (USAD). If you haven't yet then do yourself a favor and go listen to it right now. USAD is the paradigm of a great pop punk album. The album is full of raw and emotional lyrics, insanely catchy hooks, and blood pumping instrumentation. USAD rocketed the band to the forefront of the pop punk scene and enabled The Story So Far to open for the likes of New Found Glory on their Sticks and Stones 10th anniversary tour. The album is produced by New Found Glory's Steven Klein and has already gotten positive feedback from the likes of Dan "Soupy" Campbell of The Wonder Years. USAD was a great album and will surely be a difficult one to top. We'll have to wait until the end of March to see whether or not The Story So Far can deliver us another great album.



Touche Amore
Release Date: Summer
Record Label: Deathwish Records

Why?
Already this year Touche Amore released a split EP with hardcore brethren Piano Becomes The Teeth. Their half of the EP includes the single Gravity Metaphorically, which shows the band really breaking out of their comfort zone. The track is over four minutes long which is the longest track the group has ever written, with most of their songs averaging around the two minute mark. Give the song a listen and I promise that you'll feel chills as vocalist Jeremy Bolm belts the lines "AT LEAST I TRIED," to close the the song. If this song is any indication to what their next album will sound like you have me sold.

















Transit
Release Date: April-May
Record Label: Rise Records

Why?
2011 was the year of many top notch pop punk releases. The Wonder Year's Suburbia, The Story So Far's USAD, A Loss For Word's No Sanctuary, and Man Overboard's self-titled album. 2011 was the year for the new age of pop punk music, and Transit's album Listen & Forgive was right at the forefront with the other great releases of 2011. Listen & Forgive propelled the band to new heights and introduced them to a new fan base. However, a lot of older fans were left unhappy with Listen and Forgives slower tempo and poor transition to live shows. It's up to Transit in 2013 to make both old and new fans happy with their new release, and I believe they're going to deliver.



We Came As Romans
Release Date: Spring TBA
Record Label: Equal Vision Records

Why?
We Came As Roman's (WCAR) last release Understanding What We've Grown To Be was a decent follow up to To Plant A Seed however the album in my opinion was living in the shadow To Plant A Seed left. It seems 2013 is the year that WCAR will be stepping out of their own shadow with their new release. Their latest single Let These Words Last Forever shows a promising future for the band. The song definitely proves that WCAR is stepping up their game with time changes, moody piano work, and excellent synth that amplifies the breakdown. Let These Words Last Forever has reinvigorated my excitement for what this group can do.



The Wonder Years
Release Date: Spring /Summer
Record Label: Hopeless Records

Why?
The Wonder Years have already smashed all the impossible expectations fans had for them after releasing Suburbia, I've Given You All And Now I'm Nothing. An album everyone was afraid would fall into the shadow of the excellent The Upsides. Thankfully, that wasn't the case as Suburbia can stand tall and proud right next to The Upsides as essential pop punk listening. Tracks released post Suburbia include Me Vs The Highway and The Living Room song. Both songs show a promising future and direction for the band with the latter already becoming a fan favorite I am beyond stoked for their fourth album.



Vanna
Release Date: Spring TBA
Record Label: Epitaph

Why?
And They Came Bearing Bones Vanna's  2011 release saw the band heading in a heavier sounding direction which ended up working for the band. Vanna lost clean vocalist Evan Pharmakis who left to do his solo project Wind In The Sails and was replaced by Joe Pastuszak. Fortunately Pastuszak sounds just as good as  Pharmakis live. The group is a machine that is constantly touring and writing, the band has yet to slow down. The band recently posted an image of the "master" mix of their album to Facebook so I'm hoping we hear a release date soon.


2013 is looking like one of the most exciting years for new music, here's to hoping all of these albums are as good as we want them to be.