HBO’s medieval drama Game Of Thrones premieres April 1, and this season’s plot involves five different claims to the throne and these respective factions’ ongoing clobbering of one another (#TeamRobb). But, yet another mantle is up for grabs, one that involves absolutely nobody getting their head cut off; the claim to “your album of the summer,” a competition that includes many of the 25 albums in our list. While bands like Beach House and Bear In Heaven have already earned their inclusion, many details are just beginning to emerge about many of the other artists mentioned in this rundown, which includes Jack White, Timbaland, Liars, Fiona Apple and more. So, check out our outline of the 25 most anticipated releases, in alphabetical order, for Spring/Summer 2012, as far as we know (we’re guessing Frank Ocean will announce something approximately two seconds after we post this). Check the media-rich list below.
01. Fiona Apple – The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw, And Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do (June 2012) [Epic]
02. Beach House – Bloom (5/15/12) [Sub Pop]
03. Bear In Heaven – I Love You It’s Cool (4/3/12) [Dead Oceans/Hometapes]
04. Best Coast – The Only Place (5/15/12) [Mexican Summer]
05. Father John Misty – Fear Fun (5/1/2012) [Sub Pop]
06. FRIENDS – TITLE TBA (Summer 2012) [TBA]
07. Japandroids – Celebration Rock (6/5/2012) [Polyvinyl]
08. Killer Mike – R.A.P. Music (5/15/12) [Williams Street]
09. Liars – TITLE TBA (6/5/2012) [TBA]
10. Lower Dens – Nootropics (5/1/2012) [Ribbon Music]
11. Laurel Halo – Quarantine (6/5/2012) [Hyperdub]
12. Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (4/3/12) [Young Money]
13. POP ETC – TITLE TBA (Summer 2012) [TBA]
14. Purity Ring – TITLE TBA (Summer 2012) [TBA]
15. Rick Ross – God Forgives, I Don’t (May 2012) [Maybach Music]
16. Santigold – Master Of My Make Believe (5/1/2012) [Downtown/Atlantic]
17. Screaming Females – Ugly (4/3/12) [Don Giovanni Records]
18. Sigur Rós – Valtari (5/28/12) [TBA]
19. Spiritualized – Sweet Heart Sweet Light (4/17/12) [Fat Possum]
20. The-Dream – Love IV MMXII (Spring/Summer 2012) [Def Jam]
21. Timbaland – TITLE TBA (June 2012) [TBA]
22. Usher – TITLE TBA (May 2012) [TBA]
23. Waka Flocka Flame – Triple F Life (6/12/2012) [Warner Bros.]
24. Jack White – Blunderbuss (4/24/12) [Third Man/Columbia]
25. Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Americana (6/5/12) [Reprise Records]
You Might Also Like
 Stereogum Monthly Mix: April 2013 |  Outside Lands 2012 In Photos |  The 25 Bands We’re Most Excited To See At SXSW 2012 |  SXSW 2010: The Wrap Up |
 |
 |
Leave a Reply
Sign in Sign in with FacebookYou must be logged in to post, reply to, or rate a comment.
List is missing The Walkmen and Suckers.
Quick, add the Walkmen before anyone else notices!
Also missing the most anticipated record purchase for spring/summer 2012: Joe Howse finally getting his patient/noble hands on “Bloom”
Don’t forget about the new Dung Heap album, “Baby, I Love You…But Not As Much As I Love Shitting.”
It was recorded in a cabin in the woods where a a cult used to hustle in front of before the police got called on them when they were just trying to make some money to feed their daughter…it’s all good baby, baby.
Timbaland makes the cut but not Missy Elliot?
Yeah I don’t get it. Timbaland, Waka Flaka Flame, Usher, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj? Was this listed written by the Rolling Stone???
Japandroids has me wondering if Ceremony will be able to hold onto it’s #1 spot on my year-end list. I also cannot wait for Liars (Although, I’m kind of disappointed that with all the hullabaloo about this “idol” producer build-up, it just ended up being the founder of Mute. Nothing against him, but they kept posting pics blurring out his face and maybe I’m just really oblivious, but I wouldn’t have known what the guy looks like if I saw him otherwise. I was anticipating some “star power” like Thurston Moore or Beck.)
The new OFF! album will be worth a listen, but based on yesterday’s sedated first listen, I wonder if the novelty of the hardcore revival will show signs of wear.
I heard Nicki’s album and it’s terrible. There about 4 good songs out of 19. The second half of the cd is a disaster with her trying to make top 40 radio hits that are already getting played on the radio right now as I type this. Does she not remember what made her famous in the first place? It’s sad because when she’s on she’s really on (Come On A Cone). So with that being said please remove #12 from this list and replace it asap lol
Yeah, replace it with Rye Rye’s album. Nicki Minaj is a joke.
Allo Darlin – Europe
Future Of The Left – The Plot Against Common Sense
and I’m kinda confused about Timbaland being on this list? Has he released anything decent recently that I’m missing?
This band is more of a blast and I know this website previously covered them. But I’m looking forward to hearing Keane’s new album. Between the singer Tom Chaplin and the Tom Rice-Oxley’s writing and arrangements, the band really has the tools to make great music. I’ll admit they haven’t in years. But I have high hopes. If listeners are being honest, Hopes and Fears and Under the Iron Sea had some special songs on them.
Half of the list is terrible. Do you think we are idiots, right? and we listen to that shit, right?
\m/ Fuck this shyt \m/
Agreed.
Seriously…what the hell is up with this list?! Nicki Minaj? Regardless of the fact that it’s Nicki Minaj, it’s also just a remix album…who gives a shit?
And aren’t The XX coming out with a new albums soon. How is that not on this list?
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see
Apple…Young
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see
But….Well, yeah.
I have no ability to tell if people on here are serious or not any more. Unless it’s Rubberjohnny.
Would Tyler The Creator be filed under T or C?
Rubberjohnny said under “F” (for “Fucking God” as in “Tyler the Creator is Fucking God; I think meaning that he is a god, not that he is currently engaged in a sexual relationship with God).
Seriously.
With you on Rufus, that’s gonna be a gem.
Also, the new Amadou & Mariam is going to be a great summer album.
Because she rules and it’s not a remix album?
guys, it’s not a remix album.
It’s not a remix album.
missing:
The Tallest Man on Earth – There’s No Leaving Now
Maps & Atlases – Beware and Be Grateful
I’m most excited for The Tallest Man on Earth, by a landslide.
Yes! Me three…
POP ETC has been this summers biggest bummer.
Missing: Sun Kil Moon, Torche, Silversun Pickups, Crocodiles, Walkmen, and Hot Chip.
Dirty Projectors haven’t officially announced anything right? I saw an interview a while ago saying that they were recording and they are playing Pitchfork, so I’m assuming they are putting something out at some point this year.
It’ll probably be a very Grizzly Bear Dirty Projectors AnCo summer.
I didn’t realize Grizzly Bear had anything pending.
I know AC have been recording/working out some new shit live, but I still had early 2013 in my head for them. I’m obviously basing this on nothing.
According to Eddie Droste’s Twitter page, he is in the studio recording vocals, and he left the hashtag #newalbum.
I think a DPs album announcement is imminent, but no details yet
Lotus Plaza!
Passion Pit’s album is finished. They deserve some love.
where’s Tame Impala!
Also M. Ward – A Wasteland Companion
When the F are the Long Winters going to come out of hibernation?
The Soft Moon, bitches!
What about Pomegranates and Smashing Pumpkins? No love for fruits and vegetables I see
Funny one, gramps.
mewithoutYou – Ten Stories. May 15, 2012.
NO!
‘Tis okay, you don’t have to like it. Just sayin’ I’m anticipatin’!
(and getting in my fair share of apostrophes)
Definitely with you on this one.
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see
Looking back at your past post history, I’d like to nominate you for you “Most Under the Radar PR Person” here on Stereogum.
And on that note… BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Ha, I looked at that too. She does a good job of making the link seem relevant to the story she is commenting on.
Fuck you guys, Civil Twilight are the best!
(by the way, Elyse, you said you mailed the check last week, but I still ain’t got it, sooooooo WTF?)
Civil Twilight’s on the banner ads on both sides of this web page. And also issuiing your paychecks, apparently:)
Nicki Minaj sucks blah blah blah The Walkmen should definitely be on this list.
Timbaland and Nicki are on here cuz someone’s got to pay the bills around here.
you guys skipped over a few on my radar. but i ain’t mad atcha. regardless:
Simian Mobile Disco – Unpatterns
Lemonade – Diver
El-P – Cancer For Cure
also Suckers & Sun Kil Moon, as noted by others.
seems like we’re still missing some pretty major announcements, though.
Cancer for Cure should be up there
Right.
Did you read that Best Coast thread? The comments slamming Best Coast actually have the most upvotes.
Yet apparently Stereogum is super more excited about Best Coast and Nicki Minaj over Spiritualized… the man who helped bring us SPACEMEN 3… is not as anticipated as some 30 minute album about California. Cool. No, Cool Real Cool. I get it.
( I don’t get it )
it’s alphabetized, dude.
Ahhh.
A for Apple
not F for Fiona.
This list fucking sucks. Fuck you. Usher makes garbage music. Rick Ross??? Yeah, right…
Did i say “FUCK YOU” definitively enough…
nice going, stereogum. you’ve angered unintentional mario.
Careful. He’s only one mushroom away from getting huge and stomping you out.
What about Regina Spektor?
I refuse to believe that anybody is looking forward to a new release from Waka Flocka Flame.
I am.
Despite evidence to the contrary, I am joining you, Jimmy, in our now untenable belief that NOBODY is looking forward to a new release from Waka Flocka Flame.
I refuse to believe that anybody would refuse to believe that anybody is looking forward to a new Waka release. There’s always gotta be someone, right?
BRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK SQUAD! JIMINY GLIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK SQUAD!
All the bros at my school with the basketball jerseys and backwards caps are
Liars, Nicki, Bawse, Neil motherfucking Young and Crazy motherfucking Horse. So excited.
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see
It’s already out so I’m not really ‘anticipating’ it all that much.
The Shins are the shit!
(Seriously, where’s my money, Elyse?)
So Elyse, what other prospects do Sony Music have for us to look forward to this summer???
DEXYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh boi, when’s that coming out?
Jeff, when is your next album coming out?
Look, I’m not into validating anyone’s weird anticipation of shitty albums, but Spring and Summer are supposed to be the times when one can indulge in guilty musical pleasure, well, guiltlessly. With that as a foundation for argument, I think that some of the “skipped” bands mentioned above are less than appropriate “summer fun” listening.
All I’m saying is, who’s not going to roll all the windows down when that Usher track pops up on iTunes (just to roll them back up again and change the track real quick when you pull up next to the hard ass looking dudes at the stoplight)?
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see
Atoms for Peace??? There isn’t an exact date, but honestly, Stereogum? Knowing Thom Yorke, it won’t be announced just a week before its release… So why wouldn’t you at least mention it????
THAT would be awesome, forgot about that…that albums gonna rock hard, HOPEFULLY it will be a summer surprise. though…maybe thom will purposely push it back a couple months not to overshadow the tour…IF it is even done.
It’s been said previously on this comment board, but seriously….Hot Chip….seriously. They’ve come out with three solid albums in a row now but Usher and Timbaland? yah..good stuff bros
Why would Usher, Rick Ross, and Timbaland make the list but not Soundgarden, Flaming Lips, or Tame Impala?
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see
Have you actually read what americana is about?
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see
Clearly you have never heard Rust Never Sleeps, and therefore, your opinion does not matter.
drgonzo’s 25 Most Anticipated Albums For Spring/Summer 2012:
1-10. WAKA
11-20. FLOCKA
21-24. FLAME
25. Beach House
Jason Lytle – Department of Disappearance
Missing: Royal Headache
New HEALTH album? That’s at the top of my list.
speechbubble’s top 25 most anticipated releases for spring/summer:
lotus place – spooky action at a distance
zammuto – zammuto
black dice – mr. impossible
spiritualized – sweet heart sweet light
allo darlin’ – europe
moonface with sinaii – heartbreak bravery
actress – r.i.p.
lower dens – nootropics
here we go magic – a different ship
squarepusher – ufabulum
beach house – bloom
japandroids – celebration rock
saint etienne – words and music by saint etienne
ursprung (pantha du prince/stephan abry) – ursprung
sun kil moon – among the leaves
dntel – aimlessness
liars – tba
the walkmen – heaven
hot chip – in our heads
the tallest man on earth – there’s no leaving now
peaking lights – lucifer
flying lotus – until the quiet comes
mission of burma – unsound
aesop rock – skelethon
love your list!
Good call on Here We Go Magic, and Hot Chip was a hell of an omission. Forgot about that one.
You must really hate capital letters.
a new flylo album!? how the hell did i miss that?
Its all over his twitter. He hasn’t officially announced but its definitely coming out this summer.
I’m not a huge Norah Jones guy, but I won’t mind checking it out when it’s released.
Norah Jones produced by Danger Mouse I think helps.
Recently you (Stereogum) made a Progress Report for Garbage. It’s a shame that you ignored their forthcoming album “Not Your Kind of People” (out in 14 May) from your list.
(they didn’t have the balls to go ‘all in’ with an ‘old people band’ like Garbage)
There are albums I like that aren’t listed. Stereogum, you are obviously stupid because you don’t think like me.
Bah, I hate being a jerkotron, but this list is really underwhelming. Not that it’s Stereogum’s fault– you can’t report on something that isn’t happening. I just feel like 2012 has been kinda lame in terms of big name releases, indie or otherwise. Are all the bands asleep? We’re three months in and the only truly ‘hotly anticipated’ indie record (one that has the air of hype/crossover appeal) announced is Beach House.
Luckily, that single record will be enough to carry the whole world through the summer.
Well, there is new Sigur Ros coming too. Not to mention, Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, Dirty Projectors are likely to all drop records this year. The big releases are coming!
Plus The Walkmen!
So…The Shins, Memoryhouse, Chairlift, Cloud Nothings, etc mean nothing?
So I guess the new soundgarden album wont be out by summer? What a bummer . Big rock + summer = good times!
Pretty weak…No Metric and Garbage?
wow I almost forgot about those I cant wait for Metric!!!!
the new Metric album is supposedly made out of crap. Good to see they haven’t changed a bit.
Crystal Castles anyone?
yep
naaah
Guided By Voices – Class Clown Spots a UFO.
Lemonade, Suckers, Fort Lean, Garbage, G.O.O.D. Music Collaboration?
yeah no shit, we’ve only heard 2 teaser 4 new Garbage and it’s been over 5 yrs for them.
#1 Boards of Canada – ???
When’s that Lemonade album coming out? “Neptune” was hella fine.
Why didn’t they just name that band Bear Heaven or Heavenly Bear? Still not as stupid as the Band in Heaven though…
I dont know about anyone else but im pretty stoked about that freelance whales record ;)
Nice to see you cranking the generator early this morning, Doris. Very cool. I love Freelance Whales. Electrobanjo Rock, all day every day.
Thought for sure #1 would be Bon Iver: Live and Unplugged-From the Mysteriously Bland Forest
LULZ
There is something mysteriously comforting about seeing a verbose Fiona Apple album title. It used to be kind of annoying but now it’s like “alas, some refuge in this e’er changing world.”
Beach House, Walkmen, FRIENDS and El-P will see me through the summer. Also, buzzing for the new Death Grips stuff but they’re such an acquired taste I’m not surprised in the slightest to see them not mentioned.
I don’t get remix albums. Chances are the artist did it right the first time.
Also, Waka Flocka Flame? Really? He’s fucking terrible. I’m absolutely certain that critics just pick a rapper at random to hype and run with it.
fuck Waka Flocka Flame. Stereogum c’mon guys
Why is Usher on this list?! His music is snoozy and lacking any kind of originality. FRANK OCEAN 4LIF
Have any of you people heard King Tuff? That dude should be mentioned
How about scissor sisters? Album out in may.
but what about THE D.
I heard Jeff Mangum is going to cough on a microphone this year… shouldn’t that be on here somewhere? [Waits in quiet anticipation for anger via misunderstood NMH patrons]
I’d take Jeff Mangum coughing into a microphone over some of the shit listed here any day.
wait, let’s not add MAXIMO PARK and BLOC PARTY?! ha…stereogutless
Waka Flocka on this list and no Big KRIT? Jesus Christ.
TORCHE! TORCHE! TORCHE! TORCHE!
How is Santigold lower on the list than Nicki Minaj? WTF