Spring Music Preview 2015

This spring holds not only Spring Sing and JazzReggae Festival but also the releases of new music from indie favorites Sufjan Stevens and Passion Pit, to JazzReggae Festival headliner Wale. Certain albums, including Rihanna’s “R8” and Kanye West’s “So Help Me God,” may drop without warning following the trend that Beyonce set last year with the unexpected release of her self-titled album.

“Kintsugi”

Death Cab for Cutie

Atlantic Records

Tuesday

As American indie-rock/pop band, Death Cab for Cutie, enters its 20th year of artistry, the group prepares to release its eighth studio album “Kintsugi.” The album is the first not produced by lead guitarist Chris Walla, and will also consequently mark the announcement of Walla’s departure, although he was part of the recording and creative process for “Kintsugi.” Kintsugi, the Japanese art of fixing broken pottery, is known for incorporating the blemishes of the product into the finished product; the concept of self-repair will be central to the album after extensive discussion of self-discovery on previous albums.

“The Album About Nothing”

Wale

Atlantic Records

Tuesday

It is difficult to believe that “The Album About Nothing” will actually be about nothing. Inspired by the television show “Seinfeld,” the album is a collaboration between Wale and actor Jerry Seinfeld. Described it as a “super personal” album, it tells the story of Wale’s life, with Seinfeld as the narrator and conscience. The first single, “The Body,” featuring Jeremih, is currently climbing the charts and playing on popular radio airwaves. Wale is set to headline the JazzReggae Festival on April 25.

“Carrie & Lowell”

Sufjan Stevens

Asthmatic Kitty

Tuesday

The hauntingly enchanting voice of American indie-folk musician Sufjan Stevens returns in ”Carrie & Lowell,” his first studio album since 2010. A collection of songs inspired by the recent loss of his mother to stomach cancer, the album explores his memories of family trips to Oregon and his consciousness as he deals with the departure of his mother. “Carrie & Lowell” marks a return to his indie-folk roots – his last studio album, “The Age of Adz,” was mostly electronica. His album is currently streaming on NPR’s First Listen.

“Kindred”

Passion Pit

Columbia Records

April 21

The joy and bliss that is Passion Pit continues with its newest album “Kindred,” a follow-up to its 2012 album “Gossamer.” A 13-second trailer in which two figures are clasping hands in front of a colorful, trip-inducing landscape was released in promotion for the album. Although the trailer was cryptic, the lead single, “Lifted Up (1985),” features the electronic-pop band’s collective chorus and danceable quality that fans have come to know and love. It is a sign that Passion Pit is going with the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” motto.

“Wilder Mind”

Mumford & Sons

Island Records

May 4

British indie-folk band Mumford & Sons prepares to win back its old fans with the release of its third studio album “Wilder Mind.” The band, which has been on hiatus since the release of “Babel” in 2012, dropped the album’s first single “Believe” on March 9. “Believe” hints at a heavier presence of electric guitar and a surprising lack of its signature banjo, signaling the transition toward a less folk sound. In an interview with NME, band member Ben Lovett addressed the difference, partially attributing it to the switch to working with James Ford, the producer of Arctic Monkeys. Lovett said they were ready for a change in instrumentation and sound in tandem with their decision to work with a different producer.

“The Desired Effect”

Brandon Flowers

Island Records

May 19

The familiar voice of The Killers, Brandon Flowers, will once again perform solo in his second studio album, “The Desired Effect.” His first solo album, “Flamingo,” paid homage to Flamingo Road in Las Vegas, the backdrop to many pivotal events in Flowers’ life. However, Flowers put his solo career on hiatus since 2010 to continue to pursue collaboration within The Killers. “Can’t Deny My Love,” which Flowers performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, serves as the lead single of the album. The single features more soulful vocal styling by Flowers as compared to his work on The Killers, and also incorporates the strong presence of female background voices and funky melodies.

“R8”

Rihanna

Roc Nation, LLC

TBD

“R8” may reveal a new side of Rihanna, with the help of executive producer Kanye West and her new record label, Roc Nation. The pop princess gave a taste of her eighth studio album with “FourFiveSeconds” featuring West and Paul McCartney; however, her vocals are the star of the simple and sweet three-minute ballad. The song marks a possible musical evolution in which she strays away from the stylings of her usual club anthems like “Disturbia” and “Only Girl (In the World)” in favor of a more raw, stripped-down sound. Although, her tough “badgalriri” attitude is still evident in the second single “Bitch Better Have My Money.” With no release date, however, fans are left to speculate that Rihanna will release the album – a la Beyonce – without notice in the spring.

– Emaan Baqai, A&E contributor, and Gail Acosta, A&E senior staff