The Most Anticipated Albums of 2011

With the end of 2011 drawing near, we have compiled a list of the most anticipated albums of 2011. There are plenty more albums on the way, of course, but our pick is from what we've seen on gossip blogs, opinion pieces, etc.





Adam Lambert - TBA 

With his sophomore album, the former American Idol has said that he will have more creative control than on his previous album "For Your Entertainment". 

Adele - 21

Following up her 2008 debut "19", the first single from Adele's sophomore album, "Rolling in the Deep", is already becoming a hit. The album is scheduled for release in January or February.

Amy Winehouse - TBA 

Following her stint in rehab, Winehouse began working on her third studio album, which she says will be similar to her previous "Back to Black" album. It is scheduled for an early 2011 release.

Ashlee Simpson - TBA 

Although regularly mocked, the general census on her first two albums, "Autobiography" and "I Am Me", are teen pop/rock gold and that her third album, "Bittersweet", was quirky urban-pop fun. The Simpson sister plans on reinventing herself with a folk-rock album. The album is planned for a late 2011 debut.


Avril Lavigne - Goodbye Lullaby

As a follow-up to her 2007 hit pop-rock album "Girlfriend", featuring the hit song of the same name, Lavigne says that Goodbye Lullaby, scheduled for release in March, will be a "mature offering" with pianos and acoustic sounds. The first single, "What the Hell", will debut during Dick Clark's New Years Eve special.


Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Part 2

The Beasties Boys had previously intended to release "Hot Sauce Committee Part 1" in 2010, but that was unfortunately scrapped. All of the songs to be featured on the album were moved onto "Part 2". It is unknown what will happen to the songs previously intended for "Part 2". The first single, "Too Many Rappers", featuring Nas, was released in mid-2009.



Beyonce - TBA

After her chart-topping "I Am...Sasha Fierce" and its singles (including "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"), Beyonce plans to release her fourth studio album sometime in 2011 with a style more along the lines of her previous "B'Day" album. 


Britney Spears - TBA

In early December it was confirmed via Twitter that Britney Spears would be releasing her seventh studio album in March. The first single is set to debut in January. Many producers have been working on the album, ranging from Dr. Luke and Max Martin to British producers. 


Coldplay - TBA

The fifth album from the British alternative rock band will be released in the first half of 2011. Not much is known so far about the album.


Dido - TBA

Although her 2008 album "Safe Trip Home" did not fair well on the charts, the singer, known for the chorus of Eminem's "Stan", plans on releasing a fourth studio album with an electronica sound.



Drake - Take Care

The Canadian rapper topped charts with his debut album "Take Care" and he's ready to dominate again with the release of another album in the March/April range, less than a year after his debut release. 


Dr. Dre - Detox


After being pushed back a dozen times, the rap hitmaker will finally release his "final" album "Detox" in February. The first single from the album, "Kush", featuring Snoop Dogg and Akon, was released in November to much fanfare. Other confirmed collaborations on the album include Eminem, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Lil Wayne, Nas, and numerous rumored collaborators ranging from Ice Cube to Lady Gaga.



Evanescence -  TBA

After numerous band members left the group, lead singer Amy Lee and the rest of the group have finally begun work on the first album since 2006's "The Open Door". They have said that the music will likely be a mix of their pop-metal sound and electronica. 



Florence + the Machine - TBA

Even after taking the UK and Australia, it came as a surprise when the fiery redhead made it big in the US, performing the VMAs and having their song "Dog Days Are Over" featured on the hit show "Glee". The first taste of the sophomore album, "Strangeness and Charm" promises a great album.



Foo Fighters - TBA

Said to be their "heaviest album yet", the Dave Grohl-led band will return to the Billboard charts in the first half of 2011. Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic will feature on one of the songs.


Jesse McCartney - Have It All

Said to be released in 2011, the fourth studio album from singer-songwriter Jesse McCartney will be his first since 2008's "Departure".  The former Disney Star has said that the album is "...full of sexy, four-on-the-floor beats with big pop melodies... but yet again, some rhythmic, R&B stuff that's pushing the envelope a little bit more...". The first single, "Shake", was called one of the best songs of 2010 by MTV and a second signal, "One Night" is one its way.


Justin Bieber - TBA

Although not fully confirmed for a 2011 release, the follow up to Bieber's previous "My World 2.0" is said to be recorded in New York City, with both Taio Cruz and Dr. Dre writing and producing songs. 



Kanye West and Jay-Z - Watch the Throne

The rap duo that brought us hits such as "Run This Town" (also featuring Rihanna on the chorus) and "Monster" (also featuring Bon Iver, Rick Ross, and Nicki Minaj) are teaming up for a five-track album. No more information has been given so far. 



Kelly Clarkson - TBA

Daughtry will be on the album and has debuted a song from the album, entitled "You Still Won't Know What It's Like".



Lady Gaga - Born This Way

The current top pop artist revealed the name of her 2011 album at the VMAs, also singing a snippet of the title track. Various other songs have been debuted, including "You and I", which was performed on The Today Show. 


Lil' Wayne - Tha Carter IV

Following the success of previous entries in Tha Carter series, Lil' Wayne plans to release the fourth sometime in 2011. The first single, "6 Foot 7 Foot", has already been released.



Limp Bizkit - Gold Cobra

The first release from the rock band since 2005's "The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1)" EP, the album has had no official release date or single release. On November 5, the band said that a song entitled "Rock S**t" would be released as a single. A tentative track listing has also been released.



Michelle Branch - TBA 

After the failure of her country album, the "All You Wanted" hitmaker is heading back to the studio for a pop-rock album in vain of "The Spirit Room". 



Missy Elliot - TBA

The only rap artist releasing an album next year to truly stand a chance against Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliot plans to release her long overdue seventh album from limbo sometime in 2011. 



Nelly Furtado - Lifestyle 

The versatile "Promiscuous" singer is returning to the sounds featured on 2000s "Whoa, Nelly". 



No Doubt - TBA

Reuniting for a comeback, it has been a decade since the release of their "Rock Steady" album. Lead singer Gwen Stefani, known for "Hollaback Girl", released two pop albums during the break to tide fans over, but now the band is finally releasing an album to appease their fans. 



Panic! at the Disco - Vices and Virtues

Expected to be released in spring of 2011, the album will be the third studio album by rock band Panic! at the Disco and the first since 2008's "Pretty. Odd." The first single, "Mona Lisa", will be released sometime in January. 



R.E.M. - Collapse into Now

The fifteenth studio album from the alternative rock band is set to be released on March 8 in North America. The first single is "Mine Smell Like Honey". A tracklist was posted on Facebook in 2010 after being revealed in a fan newsletter. 



Radiohead - TBA

Little information is available on the album, although it is likely to be different from their previous release. One thing that can be guaranteed is a round of Thom Yorke interviews to enjoy.


Ricky Martin - Music + Soul + Sex

Set to be released on February 1, the ninth studio album by Ricky Martin already has a single out, entitled "The Best Thing About Me is You", with a second single, "Shine" to be released sometime in 2011. 


Robyn - TBA

After the success of her three-part "Body Talk" series of mini-albums, Robyn plans on doing a follow-up. Whether it is a full album, a mini-album, or a series of mini-albums has yet to be seen.


Willow Smith - TBA

Following the success of her hit song "Whip My Hair", Smith plans on releasing an album sometime in 2011.


Within Temptation - The Unforgiving

Set to be released in March 2011, the Dutch band released a preview song and accompanying music video ("Where is the Edge"). The first official single is to be released in January. The band has said that they already have three music videos shot.