The Most Anticipated Albums of 2025: Lana Del Rey, the Weeknd, Chappell Roan, Lady Gaga and More

When Starr first announced this project to Variety in October, he looked back on his legacy with the Beatles and said, “Well, I was the country guy…,” referring to tracks with the band that he sang from “Act Naturally” to “Don’t Pass Me By.” So it made sense that he became the first — and so far, still, only — ex-Beatle to release a full-on country album, in the form of “Beaucoups of Blues” in 1970. Fifty-five years on, he has a sequel coming, produced and mostly co-written by T Bone Burnett. Its reflective tone might strike some as more in the Americana vein than anything squarely in the ballpark of traditional country, but who’s quibbling over genre when we have arguably Starr’s best album since the mid-’70s? Featured guests include Billy Strings, Alison Krauss, Molly Tuttle, Lucius and Larkin Poe. Burnett told Variety: ““He’s such a beautiful singer, Ringo. He was in a band with two of the best singers in rock and roll history, so people never took him as seriously as a singer as they should. … Part of this was bringing songs that could bring out what a great singer he is. And I don’t think he’s ever sounded better than on this record, at 84 years old, and he’s still getting better.” —Chris Willman

Mac Miller’s “Balloonerism” has been the stuff of Internet lore for years, with purported tracklists and leaks popping up on fan forums. On Jan. 17, the late rapper’s estate will release the project in full, marking his second posthumous release since his death in 2018. Though little is known about what will end up on the final album, tracks including “The Song That Changed Everything” (allegedly featuring SZA) and “5 Dollar Pony Rides” were included in a trailer that aired during Tyler, the Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw back in November. Rumor has it that Thundercat and Flying Lotus were involved in the original sessions, which took place around 2013 and 2014, but all will be revealed in less than a couple weeks’ time. —Steven J. Horowitz

While he’s definitely got a sound, the Weeknd often challenges fans’ expectations in addition to delivering the chrome-plated hooks and soaring melodies they’ve come to expect. The twist in this final chapter of the “After Hours” trilogy is the different genres he plays in, including classic R&B, straight pop, acoustic guitars, and more. It arrives four months ahead of the film of the same name, which stars the Weeknd with Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan. —Jem Aswad

Even as her sound evolved over her first EPs, first two albums and 2022 mixtape, on the basis of a special listening event last fall, fans were not expecting the clubby, dance-centric nature of “Eusexua.” Inspired by her experiences in Prague’s vibrant clubbing scene, the album delivers plenty of Twigs’ trademark vocals and, of course, high-concept themes. To wit: “What is ‘Eeusexua’? Eusexua is a state of being. A feeling of momentary transcendence often evoked by art, music, sex, and unity. Eusexua can be followed by a state of bliss and feelings of limitless possibility.”  —Aswad

It is unusual for an artist who has released six solo albums over 15 years to suddenly shift to a band format, but beloved alt-rock singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten has embraced it emphatically enough to not only credit but name the album after her new band (although their first names are eye-catching enough: Jorge, Devra and Teeny). “For the first time in my life I asked the band if we could just jam. Words that have never come out of my mouth – ever! But I loved all the sounds we were getting. I was curious – what would happen?” Well, in an hour, they’d written two songs that ended up on the album. Best of all, after she’s explored electronic music and other styles, it’s provided her with new inspiration for her songwriting. —Aswad

It seems like ages ago that this then-21-year-old Canadian singer won the 2018 Grammy for best new artist, and probably even longer for her: She’s made some fine songs in the past few years, but they haven’t caught on like her debut album. However, “Dead Man,” the first single from her forthcoming fourth full-length, suggests an Amy Winehouse-esque direction, which suits her right down to the ground — and any album titled “Love & Hyperbole” is probably not lacking in attitude. —Aswad

Like it or not, Tate McRae has used the spotlight of the past year and change to assert herself as a potential Main Pop Girl. With “Greedy” and “Exes,” two hit singles off her last project “Think Later,” the Canadian singer dusted off the sad-girl cobwebs of previous releases and invoked the highest of pop powers: singing, songwriting and dancing. Following a massive tour (with a stop at Madison Square Garden), McRae teed up her third album — “So Close to What,” out Feb. 21 — with the singles “It’s OK I’m OK” and “2 Hands.” Though neither connected on the level of previous singles, they’re solid teases for what to expect from her next set: high-power pop with a point of view (and probably some show-stopping performances to match). —Horowitz

We’re not entirely sure what to expect from Lana Del Rey’s upcoming 10th studio album, “The Right Person Will Stay.” She initially teased a country album – titled “Lasso” – this time last year, noting that the project would arrive in September, and be entirely composed of country music. The September release never came, but Lana did preview a dreamy, finger-picked song titled “Henry, Come On,” which she confirmed to be part of the new 13-song project in an Instagram post in November. The foggy teasers continued with Lana clarifying the album had transitioned to have more of an “Americana” feel. “Maybe more American songbook style,” she told NME in May. (In an interview with Vogue Italia, Lana is quoted describing the record as “southern gothic” – “I think maybe there’s been a mistake in the Italian translation of what I said,” she later commented on Instagram post.) What we know for certain is that the set was produced by Luke Laird (Kacey Musgraves, Tim McGraw, John Legend), Jack Antonoff, Zach Dawes and Drew Erickson. – Thania Garcia

Chappell Roan took 2024 by storm, showcasing the reach of a bold, anthemic chorus and distinctive creative direction with her Grammy-nominated debut, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.” Roan started teasing her sophomore album at the tail end of the year with a series of Instagram posts – mostly just photos of herself – with mysterious captions that references “easter eggs” and “clues” for her next chapter. Throughout her busy Grammy campaigning and festival cycles, Roan has played two unreleased songs: “The Giver (She Gets The Job Done),” a country-inspired tune she debuted on “Saturday Night Live” in November, along with a slow and sad song dubbed “The Subway.” Her collaborator, Dan Nigro, told Variety in May that they had spent a lot of time writing “ballads, and some sad songs where it’s just the piano and her voice.” – Garcia

Several months ago, Gaga told Vogue that “LG7” — that’s an informal title, of course — would be coming in February. There’s been no word since then whether she plans to keep that date or if it might still be further out. So far, there’s just been a single one-off track, “Disease,” to herald its coming. Based on what Gaga told the Los Angeles Times in a December interview, we shouldn’t necessarily expect the entire album to sport that sound; it’ll be a genre-jumper. “The record is full of my love of music — so many different genres, so many different styles, so many different dreams. It leaps around genre in a way that’s almost corrupt. And it ends with love. That’s the answer to all the chaos in my life is that I find peace with love.” With the uncertainty of a 2025 about to unfold, love is a good enough genre for us. —Willman

“We are soooo back!” PinkPantheress is hard at work according to a post shared by the producer and singer-songwriter on New Year’s Day. There aren’t many details on this upcoming project but the 23 year-old confirmed a 2025 release date in the post – “Thanks for waiting on me,” she concluded in the caption. The alt-pop artist hasn’t released much music since her debut album “Heaven Knows” in November 2023. She also spent the latter half of 2024 on hiatus after canceling all tour dates, including opening slots on Olivia Rodrigo’s “Guts” tour and Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres” world tour, to “focus on my physical health and overall wellbeing,” she said at the time. “Heaven Knows” was a huge step forward in PinkPantheress’ evolution, and there is certainly an air of anticipation for what she’ll deliver next. – Garcia

Rosalía’s fourth studio LP will bridge the nearly three-year gap that followed her monumental “Motomami” set. “It’s been a process. I’ve changed a lot, but at the same time, I’m still wrapping my head around the same things,” she told Highsnobiety about the album in September. “It’s like I still have the same questions and the same desire to answer them. I still have the same love for the past and the same curiosity for the future.” The Spanish singer-songwriter has released plenty of collaborations – and with a diverse range of artists like Carolina Durante, Ralphie Choo, and Blackpink’s Lisa – but she’s kept a majority of the subject material light-hearted and celebratory. The most recent clue of “R4” we’ve gotten comes from Alfredo Flores, a flamenco guitarist who worked with Rosalía at the start of her career – “She hasn’t lost her respect for flamenco nor does she intend to,” Flores told Spanish paper El Periódico de España. “She continues to bet on flamenco. What’s more, something is coming, I don’t know the dates, but Rosalía is working to return to flamenco.” — Garcia

Swift’s original “Reputation” album was kind of the equivalent of what “All Too Well” was for so many years: a sort of secret handshake among Swifties that you’re a true fan, if you think this is her best, or close to it. So ever since she announced her “Taylor’s Version” re-recordings of her Big Machine catalogue, this has been the most anticipate, for many. And the singer could hardly do a show on her Eras Tour without many fans finding some clue that made them believe that tonight was the night she’d announce “Reputation (TV).” (When on one fateful day it turned out to be “The Tortured Poets Department” instead, fans were consolable.) So, yes, this was on our most anticipated list last year. And yes, it could be on the list again next year, because no one knows what Swift’s release plans are until she’s ready for the world to know; we’re all on a need-to-know basis prior to the blitz unfolding. She could put out another all-new album, or, heaven knows, the world of Swifties could have completely faked itself out in thinking that she will do this as her next “TV” instead of the debut album. But we believe this coming in 2025 is part of her endgame. Prepare for a nation to lose its shit when the announcement finally comes. —Willman

This TikTok phenom turned pop star in the making is poised for a big break in 2025. Rae released several buzzy hits in the last year, including a collaboration on Charli xcx’s blockbuster “Brat” album, and a remix of her dreamy “Aquamarine” single at the hands of avant garde producer, Arca. She also earned her first Hot 100 entry with the single “Diet Pepsi,” which peaked at No. 54 following the release of its theatrical music video. Despite any immediate apprehension, the alternative world has embraced Rae’s kooky street style (Troye Sivan dressed up as her for Halloween), and she’s managed to fully mobilize a cult following that’s eager to see how she’ll present herself in a full-length debut (she released an EP, “AR,” that went viral on TikTok and SoundCloud before its official release in 2023). – Garcia

At the end of 2024, Springsteen’s camp tantalized fans by saying: “Upcoming releases in 2025 will include a look back at Springsteen’s storied recording career, featuring never-before-heard material.” Of course, for years, the faithful have hoped for a “Tracks 2” — that is, a sequel to the 1998 boxed set that compiled unreleased songs from his career up to that point. The aforementioned teaser does seem to hint that a substantial collection of material is in store. In 2022, Springsteen told Rolling Stone about material he planned to bring out: “I have a box set of five unreleased albums that are basically post-1988… People look at my work in the Nineties, and they go, ‘The ’90s wasn’t a great decade for Bruce.…’ I actually made a lot of music during that period of time. I actually made albums. For one reason or another, the timing wasn’t right or whatever, I didn’t put them out.” But he also promised material from before that period. “I have a series of Tracks albums that eventually we’ll release. Some of it is older stuff that the band plays on, and some of it is newer stuff where I was conceptualizing during that (’90s) period of time. … Also, a lot of the stuff is really weird.” Here’s hoping we indeed get the first true mining of the vault in a quarter-century. —Willman

A$AP Rocky told the world “Don’t Be Dumb” was finished way back in December 2022. He delayed it, and committed to a release of Aug. 30, 2024, even going as far as selling pre-orders of the physical album. The album was ultimately delayed (and refunds were issued) to “early 2025.” Is there still anticipation for this record? It depends who you ask. From what we’ve gathered since 2022, the album is experimental and darker than Rocky’s previous material. In August in an interview with Billboard, the New York rapper said he had hoped Tim Burton would illustrate the album artwork but scheduling got in the way. He still played the record for Burton who, according to Rocky, “was fucking with it heavy,” he said. “[Burton] was like, ‘Wow! I didn’t know you made that kind of music!’” Confirmed collaborators include Burton’s partner in crime, Danny Elfman and Tyler, The Creator, and producers including Pharrell Williams, Mike Dean, Hitkidd, Madlib and Metro Boomin, as well as… Morrissey. — Garcia

Has there been a post-girl-group solo venture as thrilling in recent memory? Jade, who came to prominence as one-fourth of Little Mix, went wild on her first single, “Angel of My Dreams,” one of the most daring and satiating pop singles to debut last year. If that kitchen sink ethos is any indication, then her untitled debut album is on track to warp any preconceived notions of what an ex-girl-group member can provide. Jade has already explored texture and mood across subsequent singles “Fantasy” and “Midnight Cowboy,” with another warm-up track, “It Girl”, arriving on Jan. 10. We may not know what’s exactly in store for the full project, but she’s already off to the races. —Horowitz

Baker and Torres previewed their forthcoming joint album “Sugar in the Tank” in an appearance on “The Tonight Show” in mid-December, but there’s still been no formal announcement of the full release or its title. Trust us when we say we know it’s coming and it’s great. It’s a country-rock album, through and through, as you might’ve figured from the TV appearance that had a busy steel player as well as Baker busting out the banjo. You definitely won’t have to be a serious C&W-phile to dig it, though. Here’s the official language of what their camp has had to say so far: “Formed by their shared experiences of growing up queer in the south, (the new music) not only reflects Julien Baker & Torres’ love of country music, but joyfully reclaims the genre’s traditions and iconography which until only recently felt exclusionary.” To paraphrase the great Samuel Goldwyn, you can exclude us in on this one. —Willman

Baker is not the only Boygenius member getting back to a solo career in a big way in ’25 after laying fairly low this past year. There’s been no formal announcement of Dacus’ solo album, but the fact that she announced an intimate four-city tour — with dates in February in L.A., New York, Chicago and San Francisco — was the strongest possible indication that she’s got something to show off. Fans probably won’t have to wait even till those shows to get a first taste of it. It will have been almost four years since 2021’s fantastic “Home Video,” and the Boygenius project only went so far in sating us, so expect an explosion of joy imminently. —Willman