2014 is over. Whether it was the best or worst year of your life, it’s time to move on. But before we look at what’s ahead in music, here’s a quick rundown of every hit of this past year (in case you forgot). The Pop Danthology music video released each year is a gargantuan mash-up of every top 40 song of each year and it’s actually sort of cool. Here’s every song you may or may not want to hear again from 2014.

Now it’s the New Year and it’s the time to look ahead. The good news is that there is plenty of new music to look forward to this year. Some of my favorite artists are returning to the studio and have been either sneaky or completely open about their new music. Many artists have already released singles for new albums, while others are only giving six-second snippets of songs or not even telling us anything. That said, I’m overjoyed with what’s to come.

Probably the most exciting news, to me at least, is that Florence + The Machine is in the studio, working on their highly anticipated third album. I jumped for joy when I heard that the ethereal, red-haired wonder that is Florence Welch confirmed on June 5 that this album is in the works. Hopefully we will get more information soon, but Florence was very secretive. I’m sure I’m not the only one hoping we get a new single soon.

In more news, Fall Out Boy is set to release their next album, American Beauty/American Psycho, on January 20. They have already released three singles, including “Centuries,” which I talked about in a previous post, also “American Beauty/American Psycho,” and my favorite of the three, “The Kids Aren’t Alright.” This last song is a little bit pop-rock, but it has some great lyrics, including, “I’m not passive, but aggressive/take note, it’s not impressive.” I’m glad they’re continuing to make music, and even more glad that this album comes out so soon.

 

Marina & The Diamonds are returning as well with their third album, FROOT. As a fun promotional stunt, she started the “Froot Of The Month Club” and each month a new Froot (AKA a new single) is released until the full album drops. This album doesn’t come out until early April, but we’ve already got three singles that are all fabulous. “Froot,” “Happy,” and “Immortal” have been released, and I’m in love with the new sound she is going for. She’s moving away from her Electra Heart era—an electronic, pop-rock anomaly that was truly amazing—to a more introspective pop record. This album campaign is so interesting and new; I get excited for every single and for each month to get a little FROOTier. Here’s the video for “Immortal.” It’s inspired by a Polish war memorial, so it’s sad, but it also contains many glimmers of hope.

I’m sure there are going to be more surprises this year in music and plenty of new artists. I know Rihanna has been teasing new songs on her Instagram for quite some time now. Even Madonna is coming back with Rebel Heart, which was half-leaked in December 2014. So here’s to a new year, full of new music and hopefully some new artists to swoon over.

http://open.spotify.com/user/dutastyjams/playlist/6MIJOfXgXRjCPxmabIEmRj