USA TODAY International Edition
Releases that heat up summer
Lots of questions circle season’s biggest albums
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:
Can Kanye, Nas re-create past magic and extend it to an 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 hiphop legend will elevate their collaboration. 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 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 album’s royal title to demonstrate 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 diss impact 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 rival 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 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, so after the grieving and growth, “Sweetener” has potential to be the most impactful release of her career.