By Leigh Barber
This year has already been exciting for the music world, but 2014 is about to accelerate with the beginning of the holiday season. Artists from all different genres are gearing up to release albums that they have been working on over this past year and beyond. Big and small names are ready to stock local record stores and large retailers with their latest work.
Media of all kinds has given hype to the countless artists who are releasing albums this year. Taylor Swift released “1989,” her latest album at the end of October, which has continued to be advertised through television appearances and music video releases. The popular British boy band One Direction uses YouTube to post teasers of their new songs and videos from their album “4,” which was released on Nov. 17. With fans of all ages, One Direction’s album was highly anticipated, even around campus. “Let’s face it, One Direction is a great boy band. People can hate on them all they want, but their music is catchy,” first-year Annie Rosenblum said.
New bands and old bands have decided to make 2014 the year to give their fans some fresh new tunes to listen to. The Smashing Pumpkins, Circa Survive, Eminem, Nicki Minaj, Pink Floyd, Depeche Mode, Manchester Orchestra, Iggy Azalea, AC/DC, Charli XCX and She & Him are all releasing albums throughout November and December.
Beyoncé is re-releasing her newest album on Nov. 24, comprised of remixes of hits from the latest album, brand new songs and ten videos of live performances from her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour. It is now available for pre-order on iTunes for $8.99.
The Smashing Pumpkins are releasing their tenth album, “Monuments to an Elegy,” on Dec. 9. The famous 90’s alternative band has already released two singles off the album, “Being Beige” and “One and All.” Both singles are already popular amongst fans, giving hope that the rest of the record will follow suit. AC/DC has also revealed a single titled “Play Ball” on iTunes for their newest album, “Rock or Bust”. It is the Australian rock band’s 17th album, but it is the first album that does not feature founding member Malcolm Young. Young was diagnosed with dementia. Stepping in for Young is his nephew, Stevie Young, who will play guitar on “Rock or Bust”. Fans should not be expecting a new style from AC/DC, just the same classic rock that has made them the legends that they are in the music industry.
Many artists like Depeche Mode are releasing live versions of their well-known hits. On Nov 17, they released their newest soundtrack named “Live in Berlin,” featuring them performing their most popular songs in a live setting, letting fans feel like they are watching a live show from the notorious English alternative band.
The pop world is blossoming with female artists who are releasing new tracks to top off 2014. Nicki Minaj, Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX are all releasing records beginning at the end of November all the way to the middle of December. Azalea has released her second album, “Reclassified,” which contains six new songs and six from her first album “The New Classic,” on Nov 16. Newcomer Charli XCX, who was featured in one of Azalea’s most famous songs, “Fancy,” and co-wrote Icona-Pop’s hit “I Love It,” is setting up to release her hottest album yet: “Sucker.” Self-proclaimed queen of rap Nicki Minaj is releasing her newest album, “The Pinkprint,” on Dec. 15. “The Pinkprint” is a follow-up to her 2012 album “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.”
It seems as though certain famous musicians listed above have been in the public eye more than usual since autumn began. This is because consultants in the music industry like Scott Perry suggest that artists should begin publicity for their new albums at least eight weeks before the release date, and continue intense media coverage eight weeks after the release date. As technology develops, more windows open up for bands and individual musicians to promote their work. Social networking now plays a bigger role than ever in acting as a tool to attract attention to themselves. Bands are a click away from interacting with their fans 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If there is a smartphone, there is a way. Most acts have multiple social networking accounts that they either manage personally or hire someone to run the accounts for them. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube are some of the most popular sites to share pictures, videos or short text updates to keep followers updated on their latest projects.
Social media spreads updates rapidly across the globe. Artists can reach listeners from the other side of the world that live in different time zones and speak completely different languages. From Spotify to Twitter, groups can attract attention from supporters everywhere. In such a fast-moving world, word travels fast between fans. “Like when the Backstreet Boys and N-Sync were around everyone loved them and it was the same thing,” Rosenblum said. “Now, since we have social media it allows One Direction to be all over the place.”
All a person has to do is post one picture of an artist or band in the recording studio and it can immediately reach millions of people. Some smaller artists operate only through social media instead of taking the time to create a website of their own.
Novo Collegians are looking forward to the new music awaiting them in the coming months. “I think the most exciting ones are Pink Floyd and Eminem,” first-year Carlos Mejia said.
Bands and fans are hoping that these new albums will not disappoint and the charts will be dominated by new, remarkable music that will carry on into 2015.
Info taken from: http://www.hypebot.com/ and http://www.metacritic.com/