Pitchfork Guide to New Albums, Summer 2019: Chance, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, and More
Four times a year, we round up a list of albums that the Pitchfork staff is looking forward to in the upcoming season. These 23 releases, by everyone from Chance the Rapper to Bruce Springsteen to Peggy Gou, are either officially scheduled to come out between this Friday, May 31 and the end of August, or are likely to arrive at some point over the course of the next three months. (Please note that release dates may change.) Here are 23 albums—listed in chronological order—worth waiting for this spring. (All releases featured here are independently selected by our editors. When you buy something through our Amazon or Vinyl Me, Please links, however, Pitchfork may earn an affiliate commission.)
Denzel Curry: ZUU [May 31, Loma Vista]
Less than a year after releasing his last full-length TA13OO, South Florida rapper Denzel Curry is back with another record. His new album ZUU is an homage to the Miami neighborhood of Carol City where he grew up. It boasts features from locals like Rick Ross, Kiddo Marv, and Ice Billion Berg. Check out the track review for “RICKY.” –Michelle Kim
Skepta: Ignorance Is Bliss [May 31, Boy Better Know]
Grime heavyweight Skepta returns this year with Ignorance Is Bliss, the follow-up to his 2016 Mercury Prize-winning record Konnichiwa. The album cover, shot by Manu S. Pillai, features thermographic images of slowthai and British artist Blondey. Ignorance Is Bliss is led by “Bullet From a Gun” and the Nafe Smallz collab “Greaze Mode.” –Michelle Kim
Avicii: TIM [June 6, Universal]
Avicii was nearly finished with an album when he died in April 2018 at age 28. With his family’s approval, the songwriters he was working with used notes, email conversations, and text messages about the tracks to complete the record and “get as close to his vision as possible.” The result is the posthumous TIM, which includes the singles “SOS” (with Aloe Blacc) and “Tough Love.” In addition, there are features from Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Imagine Dragons, A R I Z O N A, and others. –Michelle Kim
Stef Chura: Midnight [June 7, Saddle Creek]
Detroit indie rocker Stef Chura released her debut album Messes in 2017. This year she’s back with Midnight, a new album on Saddle Creek that was produced by Car Seat Headrest mastermind Will Toledo. “I’m usually dealing with the context of what I can't say or haven’t said,” Stef Chura said in a statement. “A kind of spiritual bondage that I would say most people, probably a lot of female bodied ones, put themselves through.” –Evan Minsker
Baroness: Gold & Grey [June 14, Abraxan Hymns]
There are a couple of things you can always count on from metal band Baroness: albums with a color (or two) in the title, and gorgeous cover art from vocalist/guitarist John Baizley. Gold & Grey, the follow-up to 2015’s Purple, is no different, although the band—now featuring new guitarist Gina Gleason—promises a few changes. “I’m sure we have just finished our best, most adventurous album to date,” Baizley said in a statement. “We dug incredibly deep, challenged ourselves and recorded a record I’m positive we could never again replicate.” –Sam Sodomsky
Bill Callahan: Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest [June 14, Drag City]
It’s been six years since Bill Callahan released a studio album. The drought is over with Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest—a 20-track double album featuring titles such as “The Ballad of the Hulk” and “Watch Me Get Married.” “I don’t know very many records that are about being happily married and having a kid,” he said in Pitchfork’s feature interview about the upcoming record. “I just wanted to prove that your life doesn’t end if you settle down.” –Sam Sodomsky
Bruce Springsteen: Western Stars [June 14, Columbia]
Western Stars, Bruce Springsteen’s first new studio album in five years was inspired by “Southern California pop records of the late ’60s and early ’70s.” The Boss explains, “This record is a return to my solo recordings featuring character driven songs and sweeping, cinematic orchestral arrangements.” The 13-song LP includes the previously shared “Hello Sunshine” (named Best New Track) and “There Goes My Miracle.” –Sam Sodomsky
Crumb: Jinx [June 14, self-released]
Lila Ramani (guitar, vocals), Brian Aronow (synths, keyboards, saxophone), Jesse Brotter (bass), and Jonathan Gilad (drums) comprise the Brooklyn-based psych-rock quartet Crumb. Jinx is their debut, following 2016’s Crumb EP and 2017’s Locket EP, both collecting songs that Ramani wrote in high school and college. Check out Pitchfork’s track review of Jinx’s lead single “Nina.” –Michelle Kim
Madonna: Madame X [June 14, Live Nation/Interscope/Maverick]
In a teaser for her new album Madame X, Madonna describes the titular character: “Madame X is a secret agent/Traveling around the world/Changing identities/Fighting for freedom/Bringing light to dark places.” The record includes collaborations with Maluma, Quavo, Swae Lee, and more. In addition, the album’s “I Rise” samples activist and Parkland survivor Emma González. Read Pitchfork’s review of opening song “Medellín.” –Michelle Kim
black midi: Schlagenheim [June 21, Rough Trade]
Geordie Greep (vocals/guitar), Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin (vocals/guitar), Cameron Picton (vocals/bass), and Morgan Simpson (drums) are black midi. Schlagenheim is the London-based rock group’s full-length debut. The album was recorded with producer Dan Carey. Read Pitchfork’s Rising feature “Get to Know black midi, a New Type of British Guitar Band.” –Matthew Strauss
Hot Chip: A Bath Full of Ecstasy [June 21, Domino]
A Bath Full of Ecstasy is the seventh studio LP from Hot Chip—their first since 2015’s Why Make Sense? The album’s announcement arrived with a music video for “Hungry Child” starring Martin Starr. The band worked with producers Philippe Zdar and Rodaidh McDonald on A Bath Full of Ecstasy. –Matthew Strauss
Mannequin Pussy: Patience [June 21, Epitaph]
Marisa Dabice (vocals/guitar), Thanasi Paul (guitar), Bear Regisford (bass), and Kaleen Reading (drums) comprise the Philadelphia-based indie punk band Mannequin Pussy. Patience is their follow-up to 2016’s Romantic. Mannequin Pussy recorded Patience with producer/engineer Will Yip at his Studio 4 in Pennsylvania. Check out Pitchfork’s Best New Track review of “Drunk II.” –Matthew Strauss
The Raconteurs: Help Us Stranger [June 21, Third Man]
While Jack White has been staying plenty busy in the recent past—his last solo studio album Boarding House Reach arrived in 2018—it’s been 11 years since the Raconteurs released their sophomore album Consolers of the Lonely. This year they’re back with Help Us Stranger, which features the previously shared “Sunday Driver,” “Now That You’re Gone,” and “Help Me Stranger,” as well as a cover of Donovan’s “Hey Gyp (Dig the Slowness).” –Evan Minsker
Titus Andronicus: An Obelisk [June 21, Merge]
Titus Andronicus have a new record for the second year in a row, following 2018’s A Productive Cough. Their new album, An Obelisk, was produced by Bob Mould. The 10-song LP includes the previously shared “I Blame Society” and “Tumult Around the World.” –Matthew Strauss
Peggy Gou: DJ-Kicks [June 28, !K7]
The 69th edition of !K7’s long running DJ-Kicks series is curated by Berlin-based artist Peggy Gou. The mix comes on the heels of her two-song Moment EP and the launch of her new record label Gudu. Her 73-minute mix includes music by Aphex Twin and Kode9, as well as tracks by Peggy Gou herself. The cover art of her DJ-Kicks mix features an image of a tiger, a choice that Peggy Gou says is informed by her Korean heritage: “The tiger ‘disappears’ when you turn to the inside-cover photo, to highlight that these beautiful animals are already extinct in my home country and in danger of disappearing from our world entirely.” –Michelle Kim
Purple Mountains: Purple Mountains [July 12, Drag City]
More than a decade ago, David Berman put an end to Silver Jews—his beloved indie rock outfit boasting immensely quotable lyrics, lo-fi country twang, and, occasionally, Stephen Malkmus. After a few years of teases and false alarms, Berman announced his full comeback under the new moniker Purple Mountains, and the band’s self-titled album features characteristically bumper sticker-ready titles like “All My Happiness Is Gone” and “Maybe I’m the Only One for Me.” –Sam Sodomsky
Chance the Rapper: TBA [July, TBA]
Chance the Rapper hasn’t released a solo full-length since his Grammy-winning endeavor Coloring Book. He’s stayed plenty busy in the interim, releasing collaborations and a string of summer 2018 singles, but the full-on follow-up is arriving in July, so he says. We don’t know much about it, but he keeps spelling the word “owbum” on Twitter. –Evan Minsker
Ride: This Is Not a Safe Place [August 16, Wichita]
UK shoegazers Ride are releasing the follow-up to their 2017 comeback album Weather Diaries. Like its predecessor, This Is Not a Safe Place was produced by Erol Alkan. In between the LPs, the band released its Tomorrow’s Shore EP. –Matthew Strauss
Tool: TBA [August 30, TBA]
It’s been 13 years since Tool released an album—2006’s 10,000 Days. Since then, Maynard James Keenan has released albums with Puscifer and A Perfect Circle, who got back together for last year’s Eat the Elephant. And now, the wait for new Tool appears to be coming to an end: After years of incremental updates, the band has indicated its long-awaited fifth record is out August 30. Stay tuned. –Evan Minsker
Beck: Hyperspace [TBA, Capitol]
Beck’s last two albums were Grammy darlings—2014’s Morning Phase won Album of the Year (amid a near-miss Kanye West interruption) and 2017’s Colors won Best Alternative Music Album. Full details for his next record, Hyperspace, have not been revealed. All we know is it’s got the single “Saw Lightning,” which Beck wrote and produced with Pharrell. –Evan Minsker
Danny Brown: uknowwhatimsayin? [TBA, TBA]
Danny Brown’s upcoming album uknowwhatimsayin? doesn’t yet have a release date, but it does have an executive producer: Q-Tip. Brown has also indicated the project, which follows 2016’s Atrocity Exhibition, will include production from frequent collaborator Paul White. –Michelle Kim
EarthGang: Mirrorland [TBA, Dreamville/Spillage Village/Interscope]
Johnny Venus and WowGr8 (fka Doctur Dot) comprise the Atlanta rap duo EarthGang. Mirrorland will make their full-length debut on J. Cole’s Interscope imprint Dreamville. It’s set to include the Young Thug collaboration “Proud of U.” Over the last couple of years, EarthGang have released trilogy of EPs inspired by The Wizard of Oz: Rags (The Scarecrow), Robots (The Tin Man), and Royalty (The Cowarly Lion). –Michelle Kim
Sleater-Kinney: TBA [TBA, TBA]
Here’s everything we know about Sleater-Kinney’s first album since 2015’s No Cities to Love: St. Vincent is producing it, it’s being released at some point this year, and we are all very excited to hear it. –Noah Yoo
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