THE 8-ALBUMS YOU SHOULD BE ANTICIPATING THIS SPRING.
Spring breathes life into the world, and what better way to feel alive than with new music? This season is packed with exciting album releases, from Lana Del Rey to Ken Carson—there’s something for everyone!
In this week’s post, I’ll be highlighting the top 8 albums to watch for this spring.
Did I miss one you're excited about? Let me know! I'm always on the lookout for new music to check out.
Click the photos to check out the artist’s Spotify page or see the album countdown!
Black Country, New Road: Forever Howlong
Image courtesy of Black Country, New Road & Ninja Tune.
Black Country, New Road absolutely stunned me when they released their 2022 album Ants From Up There, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down with their highly anticipated new record Forever Howlong.
After I found out that lead singer Isaac Wood had left the band shortly before the release of Ants From Up There, I became a little concerned about how their next record would shape up. But they’ve proven me wrong. The three singles leading up to this release have been nothing short of spectacular. “Besties,” sung by Georgia Ellery, “Happy Birthday,” sung by Tyler Hyde, and their newest single “For The Cold Country,” sung by May Kershaw, are all beautifully produced tracks. Each features a different lead vocalist, showcasing their creative approach to filling Wood’s absence. I was pleasantly surprised by this and it has left me eagerly wanting more. I recommend checking out those singles [here].
Be sure to listen to Forever Howlong when it releases on April 4th!
Bon Iver: SABLE, fABLE
Image courtesy of Bon Iver.
Bon Iver, the indie folk band founded by Justin Vernon in 2008, has been a staple in my music collection since his collaborations with Chicago artist Kanye West, and I’ve been captivated ever since. SABLE, fABLE, the band’s fifth studio album, looks poised to continue the art that has kept me hooked all these years.
In October of 2024, Vernon released the EP SABLE, which included three tracks that deeply explore vulnerability and turmoil, all accompanied by clean acoustic guitars and haunting vocals. The highlight of this EP for me was the track “AWARDS SEASON,” in which the saxophone solo perfectly captures the feeling of longing.
In February of this year, it was announced that SABLE, was a prologue to what we now know as the fifth studio album, SABLE, fABLE. Since then, Vernon has released three singles: “Everything Is Peaceful Love,” “If Only I Could Wait,” and “Walk Home.” The first is an uptempo track featuring electronic drums, strings, and Vernon’s iconic vocals, all about meeting the one you’ll fall in love with. The second, a duet with Danielle Haim, explores how long two people in love can hold on to each other. With swelling production and stunning vocals, this track is sure to resonate. The third single, “Walk Home,” is a tender, intimate song about staying in and sharing moments with your lover. As Vernon put it on Instagram, “Walk Home is a romp where you can’t wait to pull your clothes off fast enough and jump into bed with your true lover.”
All three tracks have left me impatiently waiting for the release of SABLE, fABLE.
Be sure to listen when it drops on April 11th!
Ken Carson: More Chaos
Image courtesy of @firstfriendd on Instagram.
Ken Carson has had my attention since 2021, my freshman year of university, when my dorm roommate Chris introduced me to the track “Yale.” His latest studio album, A Great Chaos, has only increased my anticipation for his upcoming fourth studio album and follow-up, More Chaos.
Ken is signed to Playboi Carti’s label, Opium, and has been closely associated with his longtime collaborator, Destroy Lonely.
Since breaking out in 2021, Ken has been paving the way for the underground rap scene, making the genre more accessible and popularizing it for a wider audience. His most recent project featured bangers like “Jennifer’s Body,” “Fighting My Demons,” and “ss”—all of which went incredibly viral and solidified that Ken is here to stay. These three tracks all feature heavy synths and rocking 808s that will for sure make you move, creating a signature sound that I almost immediately associate with Ken.
Very little is known about the upcoming More Chaos, aside from fan speculation and a tweet from Ken himself that simply said, “nodelay.”
Be sure to catch More Chaos when it possibly drops on April 11th!
Quickly, Quickly: I Heard That Noise
Image courtesy of quickly, quickly.
quickly, quickly has been an established producer since 2017 and has been on the roll ever since. I first heard the name when Quadeca announced he was going on tour with them as support in April of 2023. I’ll be honest I didn’t pay much attention back then and I wish I would have. If I did I’d be a much happier camper.
His upcoming project I Heard That Noise caught my attention after a friend recommended the first of three singles, “Enything.”
Since hearing it, I’ve been hooked on his sound. The second single, “Raven,” is a dream for fans of acoustic guitar and singer-songwriter music, yet it remains captivating with the addition of layered vocals and piano. The track builds to a powerful, heavily distorted chorus, adding an unexpected intensity. The third and final single, “Take It From Me,” is light and bouncy, yet emotionally heavy, tugging at your heartstrings. With its constant, almost bowed guitar and all the intricate details in between, it’s definitely a track you should check out.
These 3 singles mixed with a little bit of some of his older stuff have left me craving this new release.
Be sure to look out for I Heard That Noise when it releases on April 18th!
Yung Lean: Jonatan
Image courtesy of Yung Lean.
Yung Lean is once again ready to prove why he's such an influential figure with the release of his first solo album since his 2022 project Stardust with Jonatan.
Jonatan was confirmed by Yung Lean in January of this year, followed by the release of two singles since then. The first single, “Forever Yung,” dropped on February 21st and features an upbeat tempo with electronic claps that keep the energy flowing. The second single, “Babyface Maniacs,” is a smooth, swaying track with cool layered vocals and ad-libs, all blended with strings that create an incredible ambiance. This track really grabbed my attention when I heard it live on stream.
Don’t forget to check out Jonatan when it drops on May 2nd!
Little Simz: Lotus
Image courtesy of Little Simz.
I had the incredible opportunity to see British artist Little Simz perform at ACL in 2023, and ever since that moment, I’ve been keeping a close eye on everything she’s involved in. (Trust me, she’s that good of a performer.)
Little Simz has been absolutely dominating since the release of Sometimes I Might Be Introvert in 2021. Since then, she's dropped an album titled NO THANK YOU in 2022 and an EP called Drop 7 in 2024, both of which were fantastic.
Simz recently announced her next project, her 6th studio album Lotus, on February 26th, following the release of the single “Flood” on February 20th. The track is rhythmic heaven, featuring African-inspired drums and beats that are sure to get you moving. The already compelling instrumentation is further elevated by an amazing feature from Obongjayar and a post-chorus from Moonchild Sanelly.
On March 27th, Simz dropped a second single, “Free,” a track all about love. Not only is Simz’s rhyming on point, but the message is even more powerful, she emphasizes how the power of love should set people free, rather than being bound by fear. These singles have me even more excited for the release of Lotus.
Make sure to check out Lotus when it drops on May 9th!
Quadeca: Vanisher
Image courtesy of Quadeca.
Quadeca continues to impress me time and time again, and this has been happening for years now. His upcoming album, Vanisher, Horizon Scraper, is looking to be no exception.
I’ve been listening to Quadeca since 2019 when he released Voice Memos. At the time, I really enjoyed the project, but looking back, I’m not sure I’d say the same. However, I don’t mind that. It’s been a unique experience watching his music evolve alongside me, almost like it’s growing with me and changing as my life does. This is something I’ve only felt with Quadeca, which makes his music hold a special place in my heart.
His most recent project, SCRAPYARD, was incredibly well-received, featuring beautiful sonics and ambiance that are nothing short of perfect. If you haven’t heard it yet, I highly recommend giving it a listen.
Quadeca started rolling out Vanisher, Horizon Scraper throughout 2024 at his live shows, and in 2025, he began the official rollout through a series of phone voicemails you could call into via his website. On March 20th, 2025, Quadeca announced the lead single, “GODSTAINED,” on Instagram and Twitter, and it was officially released on March 25th. With its blissful, light instruments like the flute and beautiful guitar, paired with incredible vocal mixing, this single did not disappoint. It perfectly captures the imagery of water, as seen in the official music video. This track has me more excited than ever for Vanisher, Horizon Scraper.
While there’s no official release date yet, I’ll be sure to update this post when one is announced!
Lana Del Rey: The Right Person Will Stay
Image courtesy of Lana Del Rey & Interscope Records.
Lana Del Rey is an artist who needs no introduction. With multiple commercially successful albums like Born to Die and Ultraviolence, she has continued to release well-received projects time and time again. I have no doubt that The Right Person Will Stay will be no different.
The Right Person Will Stay is Lana Del Rey's 10th studio album, announced on January 31st at the Billboard and NMPA Songwriter Awards. While details about the release have been scarce, Lana has shared some insight into the album’s direction:
“It had too much ‘American storytelling flair.’ I put it on hold because I didn’t recognize myself in it. Originally, me and the label were excited because the energy of the album was meant to reflect my new life. Now, I’m not so sure, but I’m usually pretty good with my own timing. I might turn it into something more ‘Southern Gothic,’ like it was meant to be from the start, and less country.”
No matter the direction the project ultimately takes, I’m excited to listen and experience the new side of Lana she’s describing.
Be sure to check out The Right Person Will Stay when it drops on May 21st!
