Anticipated Records: 2015

After watching some of the Grammys this past weekend and collectively reflecting with music fans everywhere on music in the year past, I got excited about making a list of the records I am really looking forward to hearing this year from artists who have (at least) hinted there is new music to come this year:

• Jose Gonzalez. You check check out the record now via NPR Music's First Listen. And let this get you excited.

[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHGnWdwi940&w=854&h=480]

• The Lone Bellow. This record already came out, and people are taking notice. Cool move for them to work with Aaron Dessner from the National.
• Local Natives. They are only getting better with time.
• John Mayer. Come on! Nothing better than a good Mayer record, so hoping this one is good.
• Macklemore. Highly anticipated follow up. I hope the energy stays the same.
• Frank Ocean. More hype to follow.
• Coldplay. I am not sure the extent of this release, but they usually put out gold, so I feel good about it. (Goldplay ... see what I did there?)
• Lord Huron. Their first release was so solid and loved by so many other artists (including this one), that big things are expected here. 
• Sufjan Stevens. I have never been more excited a vinyl coming. (It's clear ... another pun.)
• Sandra McCracken. An honest take on the Psalms that will be really refreshing for everyone who listens.
• Josh Garrels. Josh has been posting bits and pieces here and there. 
• Hawai. Now that they have changed their name from JThoven, everything is in line to go well for these guys.
• Phil Wickham. Every release gets better, and with Phil and Pete working together again, great things are destined to happen.
• Passion Pit. They just released a trailer for their new record on Pitchfork which was short, but got me excited for April.

• BONUS A few great records that are already out that I really recommend you check out:

• Cody Culberson. Tyler Halford has been super hard at work with Cody, and it is paying off big time.

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/189608145" params="visual=true&show_artwork=true&callback=YUI.Env.JSONP.yui_3_17_2_1_1513638935988_128969&wmode=opaque" width="100%" height="400" iframe="true" /]

• Father John Misty. J. TIllman is definitely shaking up the boat -- and it's a good thing.

Let me know what the records you are looking forward to most are on Twitter! (@p_dodd)