Summer means music’s in the air
Take a listen at what the top artists are up to.
With one of the season’s biggest album releases — Kanye West’s Ye — behind us and many superstar albums ahead, the summer music landscape is shaping up to be a fertile one for fans of pop, hip-hop and celebrity drama.
From the returns of Christina Aguilera and Ariana Grande to West’s G.O.O.D Music domination, these are the burning questions we have for the summer’s biggest music personalities:
Will Kanye West and Nas be able to re-create their past magic — and extend it to a full album?
West follows Ye and his release with Kid Cudi, Kids See Ghosts, with a collaborative album with Nas, out Friday. This is arguably a more interesting pairing than West/Cudi, partially because the two rappers don’t have as much history, save for a few classic collaborations like 2005’s We Major and Still Dreaming from 2006. With many complaints of Ye focusing on West’s unchecked ego, perhaps recording a full album in the presence of another hip-hop legend will elevate their collaboration above West’s other recent releases. There’s also the danger the rappers will release their version of Watch the Throne, West’s 2011 album with Jay-Z, a bloated release between two artists too bored to rap about anything other than their own wealth.
Will Nicki Minaj address her history with Cardi B?
The specter of Cardi’s ascent to hiphop superstardom has hung over Minaj’s return to the spotlight, with Minaj leaning into the role of hip-hop villain with her new single, Chun-Li. It’s unfair to assume Cardi and Minaj are at odds just because they’re rap’s two reigning women, but enough drama has gone down between the two that Minaj’s new album, Queen, out Aug. 10, will be seen as a response to Cardi’s rise. Add the fact that Cardi’s debut, Invasion of Privacy, continues to spawn hit singles, and Minaj has to fully embody her al- bum’s royal title to demonstrate that she deserves the crown.
How will Christina Aguilera launch her comeback?
Whatever fans were expecting from Aguilera’s comeback single, it probably wasn’t Accelerate. Produced by West, the song loses Xtina’s brassy vocals in favor of trap beats and Ty Dolla $ign adlibs for Xtina’s most interesting and forward-thinking song in memory. It was a promising first look at Liberation, Aguilera’s first album in six years, (out Friday), followed by a more traditionally pop single with Demi Lovato, Fall In Line, that shows that the singer isn’t abandoning her hair-raising vocal performances. Taken together, Liberation’s initial tracks paint a picture of a singer ready to make a mark with her return.
Will Gorillaz win over their fans?
Last year, Damon Albarn’s indie rock band returned with Humanz, their first album in six years. Despite marking their big return, Humanz’s 20 songs of dance beats and post-Donald Trump paranoia didn’t charm fans. With their new album, The Now Now ( out June 29), the band scales back on guest stars to focus on core members’ performances.
How will the diss affect Drake?
With God’s Plan and Nice for What still among America’s most popular singles, Drake’s summertime domination seemed a sure thing — before a feud with Pusha T made a mockery of his reputation, with the rapper alleging Drake is hiding a child he fathered with a porn star, among other things. Suddenly, the stakes have been heightened for Drake’s Scorpion, expected this month. It’s hard to imagine Drake could release anything more jaded and fame-paranoid than his chilly 2016 Views, but considering the heated environment surrounding Scorpion’s release, it’s likely the rapper’s recent dramas will shape his new album.
Will Florence and the Machine conquer the mainstream?
Ever since Florence Welch scaled the charts in 2010 with her band’s breakout hit, Dog Days are Over, Florence and the Machine have been tantalizingly close to reaching pop’s upper echelons. With new album High as Hope, out June 29, the band gets another shot at the charts.
Will Ariana Grande be able to recapture her pop magic?
After enduring a horrendous year with a bombing at her Manchester, England, concert uniting the pop world in mourning, Grande returned this spring with her rousing single No Tears Left To Cry and news that her new album, Sweetener, would arrive this summer. Grande also split with longtime boyfriend Mac Miller — alluding to a potentially abusive situation on Twitter. Grande’s 2016 Dangerous Woman had moments of pop perfection that extended beyond the album’s hit singles, so after the grieving and growth, Sweetener has potential to be the most impactful release of her career.
Is it time for Troye Sivan?
Sivan is one of the most intriguing young talents of his generation, and his track My My My! is one of 2018’s best singles. With his new album, Bloom (out August 31), around the corner, Sivan is on the precipice of pop stardom. If Bloom’s first singles are any indication, Sivan’s sophomore album could be the one that propels him to mainstream success.