albums

The Weeknd’s ‘Dawm FM’ is one of the most highly-anticipated albums of 2022. Image via Twitter @theweeknd

Pop to R&B: Five most-anticipated albums of 2022 [watch]

The Weeknd, Charli XCX and 28-time Grammy winner Beyoncé are three artists who are expected to release new albums in 2022.

albums

The Weeknd’s ‘Dawm FM’ is one of the most highly-anticipated albums of 2022. Image via Twitter @theweeknd

Music lovers are crossing their fingers and holding their breath to see which of their favourite artists will release an album this year. While some artists plan to tour the world, others have been hard at work in the studio. 

Here are five most-anticipated albums of 2022. 

1. THE WEEKND – ‘DAWN FM’

The Weeknd’s fifth studio album Dawn FM is set to be released on Friday 7 January. According to Rap-Up, the award-winning artist previously mentioned that the 16-track album will feature the likes of Tyler the Creator, Lil Wayne and composer Oneohtrix Point Never. 

WATCH THE ALBUM TRAILER HERE 

2. AALIYAH – ‘UNSTOPPABLE’

According to Aaliyah’s uncle Barry Hankerson, her posthumous album Unstoppable is set to be released in January 2022. The highly-anticipated album will feature Canadian rapper Drake, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo and Future. 

The first single, Poison featuring The Weeknd was released on 17 December 2021. 

LISTEN TO ‘POISON’ HERE 

ALSO READ: Kanye West working on ‘masterpiece’ as a follow-up to ‘Donda’

3. CHARLI XCX – ‘CRASH’

Charli XCX’s fifth studio album Crash is set to be released on 18 March. According to Pitchfork Crash is the 29-year-old’s final album in her record deal with Atlantic Records. The star musician released her electro-inspired pop tune, New Shapes in November 2021. 

The track featuring French singer-songwriter Christine and the Queens and American musician Caroline Polachek is the second track on Crash

LISTEN TO ‘NEW SHAPES’ HERE 

4. BEYONCÉ

There have been a few hints about Beyoncé releasing a new album in 2022. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar in August, she shared that she had been in the studio for a year and a half and felt the world was ready to “love and laugh again”. 

Queen Bey last released an album in 2020 when she collaborated with various African artists on The Lion King: The Gift. Although we’re not sure what to expect yet, Beyoncé could surprise us. 

5. KENDRICK LAMAR 

Grammy award-winning hip-hop star Kendrick Lamar has been absent from the music scene for a few years now. His 2017 album DAMN was his last release. In August 2021, he sent a message to his fans through a website he created.

His message read: “As I produce my final TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) album, I feel joy to have been a part of such a cultural imprint after 17 years. The struggles, the success and most importantly, the brotherhood.” 

ALSO READ: Five rising artists to watch out for in 2022 [watch]