From Lana Del Rey to Frank Ocean and Rihanna – Here are HUNGER’s most anticipated albums of 2023

There’s no denying that 2022 saw the music industry back in full swing following the disruption caused by the pandemic in previous years. Whether it was the more than welcome return from megastars including Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé or critically acclaimed darlings from FKA Twigs and Denzel Curry, we were truly blessed with the best the music world has to offer. Now, though, it’s time to look ahead, and while 2023 certainly has its work cut out to beat or even match its predecessor, given the list of already confirmed (and expected) projects on their way, it’s looking like another year for the history books. Here, HUNGER runs you through the records we’re most excited about and that you need to pencil into your diary for a must-listen.

Lana Del Rey – Did You Know There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd (March 10th)

Sure, we’re all for bringing in nothing but positivity in the new year, but upon the release of Lana Del Rey’s 9th studio album, we’re most likely going to be in our sad girl era – and depending on its quality, probably for quite a while. Earlier this year, the singer released the title track, ‘Did You Know There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd,’ which featured her signature sombre hum and poetically melancholic lyrics, certainly leaving us itching for more. While we don’t have much more details on the project, there’s no denying the excitement levels for it are through the roof for Del Rey’s return. 

Frank Ocean – TBA

Seven excruciatingly long years after the release of his second studio album, Blonde, Frank Ocean is returning in 2023 to headline at Coachella, which surely means we’ll be blessed with new music ahead of the performance, right? If it were anyone else, we probably would’ve lost interest by now, but such is Ocean’s talents and star quality, we’re still just as excited as we were five years ago. Let’s all just hope this is finally the year we’re put out of our misery and we see the return of everyone’s favourite enigmatic singer.

Paramore – This Is Why (February 10th)

Paramore sent shockwaves through the rock and emo community when they released ‘This Is Why’ on September 28th, the lead single from their upcoming studio album of the same name. On that single, Paramore captured the familiar pandemic-lockdown feeling of barely wanting to leave the house, and on follow-up track ‘The News’ they channelled the feeling of despair that accompanies the never-ending news cycle. Showing a new sense of maturity without sacrificing the zany punk-rock sound we all know and love, Paramore’s return is a more than welcome one.

A$AP Rocky – Don’t Be Dumb (TBA)

Although A$AP Rocky is yet to confirm the title of the album officially, he did seem to share it during an appearance on the Amazon Music Live series. “Album finished. Don’t Be Dumb. Let’s go,” he can be seen saying to the camera. While it’s still unclear when the album will be released, he’s assured fans it’s already completed and told Complex that we will “not have to wait long.” The Harlem native artist has already released two singles, ‘D.M.B.,’ – which featured his girlfriend Rihanna in the music video – and the latest release, ‘Shittin’ Me.’

Gorillaz – Cracker Island (February 24th)

With a tracklist including the likes of Stevie Nicks, Thundercat, Bad Bunny, Beck and many more, everyone’s favourite virtual band are entering a new era on what will be their eighth studio album. In August, they shared their dance floor-ready collaboration with Tame Impala and Bootie Brown, titled ‘New Gold,’ proving that despite their incredible longevity, the band still have no problem with experimentation.

Rihanna – TBA

Much like Frank Ocean, everyone is waiting for Rihanna to make her big musical comeback. January will mark seven years without a new album from one of the world’s biggest pop stars, and it feels like it’s been even longer. Fans did get a taste of how the singer’s vocal range matured over the hiatus with the release of ‘Lift Me Up,’ her first song in six years, for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, which also included her song ‘Born Again.’ The new mother and entrepreneur is set to take the biggest stage in the world at the Super Bowl Halftime Show in February, a massive hint that new music is on the way sooner rather than later.

Playboi Carti – Music (TBA)

Perhaps the only artist more reclusive than Frank Ocean, Playboi Carti seemingly began the rollout for his long-awaited fourth studio album, Music, over the holidays. Sharing a screenshot of three new tracks on his Instagram story, Carti caused chaos on Christmas Eve when he posted a grainy mirror selfie of model Betsy Johnson as official cover art. Announcing the album in an interview with XXL, Playboi Carti’s Music is poised to be vast with experimental sounds, containing quips of “Love. Sex. Drugs. Changes in my life,” he told the outlet in April. 

KAYTRANADA – TBA

Grammy-Award winning producer and artist KAYTRANADA hasn’t put out a project since 2019, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been hard at work. The musician has recently created remixes and produced tracks for stars like Kelela, PinkPantheress and Lancey Foux. He also revealed to Zane Lowe during an interview for Apple Music that he’s been working on his own music too. “I started working on this album, and then there’s a lot of things that just happened that [are] not really making me complete the whole album,” he said. KAYTRANADA explained that he’s feeling inspired by artists like Beyoncé and Drake, who have put out albums heavily influenced by dance music, but he’s not sure that’s the direction he wants to go. We’ll just have to wait and see where his musical journey takes him, but whatever he decides, we trust him.

100 gecs – 10,000 gecs (March 17th)

Often credited with ushering the hyperpop genre into the mainstream – along with producers like A.G. Cook and SOPHIE – the weird and wonderful duo known as 100 gecs will be bringing back their wild sonics in 2023. Since their breakout, the pair have collaborated with the likes of Rico Nasty, Charli XCX and Skrillex and have helped shape the sound of a generation. While you never quite know what to expect with 100 gecs, we’re sure we’ll be getting some of the wildest, most outlandish and off-the-wall tracks of the year from 10,000 gecs.

Tems – TBA 

Tems’ debut studio album is on its way in 2023. The Grammy-nominated singer, who featured on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, promised new music after a fan called her out on Twitter for pushing back the album release date. “@temsbaby promised us an album this year, but as we no come hear anything like dis nko? [sic]” the fan wrote in November, to which Tems replied, “Next year.” The singer had an incredible 2021, to say the least, as she collaborated with megastars including Drake, Beyoncé and Future – the latter of which earned her a Grammy nomination for best rap song and best melodic rap performance. As one of the most beloved and talented artists on the rise today, we can’t wait to see what Tems has in store on her debut album.