It’s time for Janus, the ancient Roman god of music journalists, to do some swiveling and face the future. After spending recent weeks looking back, January means looking ahead at what’s to come. And 2015 is already shaping up nicely with some potentially great albums on the way, especially on the home front. Here are 10 we think will make a big splash in the coming months.
Jape - This Chemical Sea
The fifth album from our cover star, Richie Egan, and friends is released later this month. The songs sounded mighty at the Body & Soul festival last summer and Egan has always been handy at getting that live sound to work in the studio.
Soak
It feels as if she's been around for ages, so it's hard to believe that Derry singer-songwriter Bridie Monds-Watson is still a teenager. Now signed to Rough Trade and longlisted for the BBC Sound of 2015 thingymajig, her as yet untitled debut should be one of the key Irish releases of the coming months.
Mark Ronson - Uptown Special
We've heard two tracks from the producer's forthcoming fourth album and we're totally smitten. Both Uptown Funk (with Bruno Mars) and Daffodils (with Tame Impala's Kevin Parker) bode well for the rest of what will be one of 2015's major albums.
Ibeyi - Ibeyi
This band – the French/Cuban daughters of former Buena Vista Social Club percussionist Anga Diaz – had everyone talking at last month's Other Voices in Dingle. Ibeyi's music is mesmerising.They release their debut album in February.
Villagers
Word is that the third Villagers' album is ready to roll. The follow-up to the Choice Music Prize-winning Awayland is untitled at the time of writing, but is expected to be released in the first half of the year. Expect to hear Conor O'Brien's strongest slew of songs to date when it does appear. Bob Dylan Shadows in the Night Longtime Frank Sinatra fan Bob Dylan (above) turns his attention to Ol' Blue Eyes for his 36th studio album. Concentrating on a bunch of well-known standards previously knocked into shape by Sinatra, Shadows In the Night sees Dylan deconstructing intricate, orchestral arrangements to make them suit a five-piece band. It could, as they say, go either way.
James Blake
One of the most intriguing acts around, Blake is working away on his third album, the follow-up to 2013's Mercury Music Prize-winning Overgrown. Going by the various new tunes debuted on his hugely enjoyable BBC Radio One residency, we can expect much magic from this quarter.
Maverick Sabre - Innerstanding
Originally planned for a release last autumn, the second album from the London-born, Wexford-raised songwriter and rapper sounded quite magnificent when we heard six tracks from it last summer. Michael Stafford has come on in spades and his pop songwriting class is clear to see.
Giorgio Moroder - 74 Is the New 24
First album in over 30 years from the Italian producer, given a brand new lease of life thanks to a pair of Frenchmen in motorbike helmets. As well as Moroder hitting the buttons and switches, the album will feature collabs with Kylie Minogue, Charli XCX, Britney Spears, Sia and many more
Matthew E White - Fresh Blood
Those who became paid-up members of the White fanclub after Big Inner will relish new music from this quarter, especially music which is said to be bracing, beguiling and bold.
