Top 10 Anticipated Albums We're STILL Waiting For

#10: Arctic Monkeys’ Eighth Album

In 2018 and 2022, this Sheffield rock band released two relatively divisive albums. “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino” alongside “The Car” were a massive stylistic departure from the sound that made them famous. While plenty of critics liked “The Car,” it divided the fanbase, with many hating it. This has put a great deal of pressure upon their follow-up eighth album. The members are now working on solo projects, but there’s evidence that they’re working on their next LP. Their website homepage no longer features “The Car,” implying that era’s ended, and they’re working on the follow-up.

#9: Kero Kero Bonito’s Third Album

The name “Kero Kero Bonito” isn’t as well-known as their hit track “Flamingo,” which became a viral sensation in the 2010s. They’ve released two albums in total, one in 2016 and another in 2018. They followed them up with a few EPs, but since 2021, they have released virtually nothing. According to their Twitter, they’ve been working on their third album since at least 2023. It’s meant to be their “longest yet,” but we’ve heard basically nothing except that it’s being made. Hopefully, we’re not kept waiting much longer, but on the bright side, a longer wait could correlate to a better album.

#8: Rina Sawayama’s Third Album

In 2020, “John Wick” star Sawayama dropped her debut album, “Sawayama.” It received immense praise, with tons of popheads becoming eager fans. Two years later, she released her follow-up, “Hold the Girl,” which was also adored by fans. Now her career seems to have stalled, as she’s in a record deal she can’t get out of. She signed a deal with the label Dirty Hit, who have The 1975 as shareholders. In 2023, the band’s lead singer, Matty Healy, went on a podcast and made some extremely racist jokes. This led to her calling him out at Glastonbury, but unfortunately, it has made her next album difficult to make, as if it sells well, Healy will profit.

#7: Fiona Apple’s Sixth Album

During the 90s, Apple released two majorly successful albums, then slowed down making music entirely once we entered the 2000s. Each new album has had a longer wait time than the last. Her fifth album, “Fetch the Bolt Cutters,” was released in 2020, but its tour was canceled due to COVID. Now, fans are dying for a new Apple LP, alongside a chance to see her live. Apple is notoriously secretive about her music. In 2022, one of her friends posted a picture of her in the studio, and in 2025, her housemate said, “There should be some new stuff very soon.” So, we know she’s working on new music, but whether this is an album and how long it will take is unclear.

#6: LCD Soundsystem’s Fifth Album

James Murphy’s dance-punk band has been popular since the 2000s. They famously disbanded in 2011, but then reunited in 2015, and two years later, released an amazing album called “American Dream.” They’re still together and are alleged to be making music, but only a couple of songs have seen the light of day. Murphy confirmed they have been working on a new album, but only between touring. They still tour pretty regularly, so this could explain the delay. Also, there must be immense pressure, as all four of their other albums are so critically acclaimed.

#5: Adele’s Fifth Album

According to some speculation, globally famous English singer Adele is set to drop her fifth album in 2026. This contradicts Adele’s own statements from 2024, where she said she was taking a “big break” before making a new album. Her most recent release was “30,” which dropped in 2021. Each Adele album has taken longer to make than the last one, so a long wait was inevitable. Given that she’s one of the most successful singers of the century, she most likely feels no financial pressure to release new music. Still, she’s so beloved that millions of her fans are eager to get a new LP.

#4: My Bloody Valentine’s Fourth Album

Also jokingly called “Kevin Shields and the Vacuum Cleaners,” this band formed in Dublin in 1983. They went on to pioneer shoegaze, a genre that would dominate the '90s. Their second album, “Loveless,” was released in 1991, and they wouldn’t release a third until 2013. This is because it was so praised, lead singer Kevin Shields felt it was impossible to follow up. After a long hiatus, their third album proved they still had it. In 2017, Shields confirmed they were working on a fourth LP, slated for a 2018 release. They were also going to drop 2 EPs in 2019, but it’s years later and they’ve still not released a new tune. At least they’re touring and have their music on streaming services now.

#3: Frank Ocean’s Third Album

Few musicians are as famous as Ocean while also being exceedingly secretive about their personal lives. He began as a member of Odd Future alongside Tyler, the Creator. In 2012, he released his debut album “Channel Orange,” which was praised immensely and even won a Grammy. His second album, “Blonde,” made him even more famous. Ocean released a handful of singles through 2020, making fans hopeful for a third album. Unfortunately, since 2017, he’s only played one show at Coachella in 2023. He’s not released a track for years, and he’s so secretive that no one knows if he intends to release another. Some believe his album was scrapped due to COVID and the death of his brother, but this is purely speculation.

#2: Sky Ferreira - “Masochism”

Few albums are delayed as significantly as Ferreira’s second album, “Masochism.” Her 2013 debut album “Night Time, My Time” was a significant success for a debut LP. Ferreira announced her second album would come out in 2015, but over a decade later, it’s still not out. The most recent updates claim it’ll finally see the light of day in 2025, but fans are hesitant, as she’s said that about other years in the past. This announcement was made after she released the track “Leash,” written for the movie “Babygirl”’s soundtrack. The reason it’s taking so long is that she’s a perfectionist, and also because the label won’t give her complete creative control.

#1: Rihanna - “R9”

If you ask a pophead what the most anticipated album in the genre is, they’re likely to say R9, Rihanna’s 9th album. It’s been almost a decade since her last album, and since she’s one of the most famous singers on Earth, there’s immense hype surrounding it. According to her, she took the break to focus on her business ventures, and she’s also worried about it being mediocre. Some fans jokingly wondered if she delayed it simply to avoid going onto James Corden’s carpool karaoke. She seems to have become more open about R9 in recent years, though, giving a lot of fans hope.

Which upcoming album are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments section!