Summer is right around the corner. And although we plan to spend the next three months having barbeques and going to the beach whenever we can, the thing we're most excited about is the music that's going to come out. To put things in perspective, we put together Complex's 20 Most Anticipated Albums of The Summer, with releases that are slated for June, July, and August. With new material from underground favorites like Tech N9ne and Curren$y, indie darlings like Artic Monkeys and Black Lips, and of course giants like Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Lil Wayne, in the immortal words of Killa Cam, "It's gon be a real motherfucking hot summer, man. For everybody." Now get our fucking pool in the back.
All 6s And 7s
#20. Tech N9ne, All 6’s And 7’s
Release date: June 7
Label: Strange Music
Producers: J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Seven, Ben Cybulsky
Collaborations: Kendrick Lamar, B.O.B., Busta Rhymes, Twista, Yelawolf, Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Snoop Dogg
Singles: “I Love Music,” “Worldwide Choppers,” “He’s A Mental Giant,” “Mama Nem”
Complex says: After years of grinding and countless tours, Tech N9ne’s mainstream viability is at an all-time high. The Kansas City rapper played us the album, and we found it to be a great mix of hardcore rap records and features such as Kendrick Lamar being coupled with more pop features like Lil Wayne and T-Pain.
Gloss Drop
#19. Battles, Gloss Drop
Release date: June 7
Label: Warp
Producers: TBA
Collaborations: Matias Aguayo, Gary Numan
Singles: “Ice Cream”
Complex says: Battles last wowed us with their experimental mindfuck Mirrored in 2007. Now they're back with a full-length that turns up everything about the formula we loved before.
Cold Day In Hell
#18. Freddie Gibbs, Cold Day In Hell
Release date: June 14
Label: Corporate Thugz Entertainment
Producers: N/A
Collaborations: Jeezy, E-40, Bun B, Daz Dillinger, & Big K.R.I.T.
Singles: N/A
Complex says: Earlier this year, Freddie Gibbs was able to work his hard earned buzz into a deal with Jeezy’s CTE. Judging by their recent banger “Stripes (RUN DMC),” it looks like it was a good move for both parties. We’ll be looking for Gangsta Gibbs’ next effort be the same as his last few: Straight killer, no filler.
Suck It And See
#17. Arctic Monkeys, Suck It And See
Release date: June 7
Label: Domino, Warner Bros., EMI
Producers: James Ford
Collaborations: N/A
Singles: “Brick By Brick,” “Reckless Serenade”
Complex says: This is the fourth release from the British rockers in five years, and there's always a sizable amount of hype when they drop. They're known to break sales records, and the single sounds pretty bangin'. We wanna give this one a listen.
Black Lips
#16. Black Lips, Arabia Mountain
Release date: June 7
Label: Vice
Producers: Lockett Pundt, Mark Ronson
Collaborations: N/A
Singles: “Go Out And Get It,” “Modern Art,” “New Direction”
Complex says: These guys have been doing their thing for years, but we'll be honest, the fact that the Atlanta band has teamed up with Mark Ronson on this LP has us particularly interested. The videos have been crazy, and the singles are tight. This album is on track to impress.
The Red Album
#15. Game, The R.E.D. Album
Release date: August 23
Label: Aftermath, Interscope
Producers: Kanye West, DJ Premier, Cool & Dre, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Just Blaze, No I.D., Swizz Beatz, Timbaland
Collaborations: Trey Songz, E-40, Wiz Khalifa, B.O.B., Lil Wayne, Diddy, Ludacris
Singles: “Red Nation”
Complex says: The Game has been working on The R.E.D. Album for two years now, but we’re not complaining after hearing his new single, “Red Nation,” featuring Lil Wayne. The video may have been banned from MTV, but it made enough noise to restore interest in the project, and we expect the Compton native to on his fourth album.
Bon Iver
#14. Bon Iver, Bon Iver
Release date: June 21
Label: Jagjaguwar
Producers: N/A
Collaborations: N/A
Singles: “Calgary”
Complex says: Justin Vernon wasn't too busy working on Kanye's last album to regroup as Bon Iver and finish his own. "Calgary" sounds hot, and in just a few months we're sure the Wisconsin native will bless us with one of the indie bangers of the summer.
Random Axe
#13. Random Axe, Random Axe
Release date: June 14
Label: Duck Down
Producers: Black Milk
Collaborations: Trick Trick, Rock, Roc Marciano, Danny Brown, Fatt Father, Melanie Rutherford, Fat Ray
Singles: “Monster Babies,” “The Hex”
Complex says: The Black Milk-helmed project that the streets have been waiting for since 2008 is sure to be what we like to call “mean-muggin-rap.” Sean Price, who has become an Internet favorite over the last few years, will definitely deliver what you’re used to from him. With newcomers Danny Brown and Roc Marciano sure to fall in line with P, it’s best that you separate your feelings from your headphones on this one. Also, be sure to check out an exclusive album preview here.
Weekend At Burnies
#12. Curren$y, Weekend At Burnie’s
Release date: June 28
Label: Jet Life Recordings/Warner Bros.
Producers: Monsta Beatz, Rahki
Collaborations: N/A
Singles: “#Jetsgo”
Complex says: With his work ethic virtually unrivaled, Spitta built a big enough buzz off his two Pilot Talk albums last year to score a deal with Warner Brothers. No rest for the weary though. He already dropped the stellar Covert Coup with Alchemist last month and “#Jetsgo” has us ready for his major label debut.
TM103
#11. Young Jeezy, TM103
Release date: July 26
Label: Def Jam, Corporate Thugz Entertainment
Producers: N/A
Collaborations: Lil Wayne
Singles: “Ballin’”
Complex says: After endless delays, Jeezy went on Twitter to proclaim that the album is done and that it’ll be a hot summer. We don't know too many details, but given his past track record, we're excited to hear what The Snowman is coming with.
Cults
#10. Cults, Cults
Release date: June 7
Label: Columbia
Producers: N/A
Collaborations: N/A
Singles: “Abducted,” “Make Time”
Complex says: Almost two years after first gaining attention by quietly uploading awesome MP3s on a Robert Longo-themed Bandcamp page, the indie pop duo known as Cults is finally releasing their debut album. The rollout has been sweet thus far. We don't think the pseudo-mysterious pair will drop the ball with this one.
We The Best Forever
#9. DJ Khaled, We The Best Forever
Release date: June 28
Label: We the Best, Terror Squad, Cash Money, Universal Motown
Producers: Noah “40” Shebib, The Renegades, Cool & Dre, T-Minus
Collaborations: Rick Ross, Drake, Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Birdman, Keyshia Cole, Chris Brown, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Plies
Singles: “I’m On One,” “Welcome To My Hood”
Complex says: If there’s anything that Khaled is indeed the best at, it’s getting fans excited about a record. Match that with his ability to get multiple superstars to work cohesively, and the fact that we can’t stop playing “I’m On One,” and at worst, we’re expecting at least a few crazy street anthems on Khaled’s fifth album.
Finally Famous The Album
#8. Big Sean, Finally Famous: The Album
Release date: June 21
Label: G.O.O.D. Music, Def Jam
Producers: No I.D., The Legendary Traxster, The Olmpicks
Collaborations: Chris Brown, Mike Posner, Kanye West, Pharrell
Singles: “What You Doin?,” “My Last,” “I Do It”
Complex says: Of course, Big Sean’s got some heavy hitters lined up for his long-awaited debut album. If “My Last” and “I Do It” are a sign of things to come, we’re expecting the talented trendsetter from Detroit to fulfill the promise that he’s shown ever since pioneering the Supa Dupa Flow.
Ritual Union
#7. Little Dragon, Ritual Union
Release date: July 12
Label: Peacefrog Records
Producers: Little Dragon
Collaborations: N/A
Singles: “Nightlight”
Complex says: The Swedish band's first two projects got mad spins in the office, and we're expecting the same from the next one. The music is amazing, but It doesn't hurt that lead vocalist Yukimi Nagano is a total hottie.
Wizard
#6. Wizard, TBA
Release date: TBA
Label: Dream On, GOOD Music, Universal Motown
Producers: Kid Cudi, Dot Da Genius
Collaborations: Cage
Singles: N/A
Complex says: With Cudi’s second album Man On The Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager he gained a lot of alternative fans with his musical growth from his debut album. We expect that his upcoming rock project is just a continuation of that growth that will see Cudi become the more complete and versatile artist that he wants to be. However, Cudi will have to toe the line flawlessly if he wants to keep his loyal, but more stubborn hip-hop fans at bay.
Within And Without
#5. Washed Out, Within And Without
Release date: July 12
Label: Sub Pop
Producers: N/A
Collaborations: N/A
Singles: "Eyes Be Closed"
Complex says: Two years after shaking up the rock scene with the 'chillwave' staple, Life of Leisure, and a couple more subsequent EPs, Ernest Greene is releasing his debut full-length. "Eyes Be Closed" gives us a lot of the same vibes as his previous efforts, but that's a good thing.
4
#4. Beyoncé, 4
Release date: June 28
Label: Columbia
Producers: Switch, Sleigh Bells, Jim Jonsin, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, The-Dream, Bangladesh, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Frank Ocean, Kanye West, Q-Tip, Alja Jackson, Swizz Beatz
Collaborations: Frank Ocean, Ne-Yo
Singles: "Run The World (Girls)”
Complex says: The queen insists that she's creating "her own genre" of music on her fourth studio album, 4. Her ambitions to mix a wide range of sounds shine through on left-field lead single "Run The World (Girls)." We're still waiting for the pop smash to debut, but there's no way Bey is releasing an LP that won't be stacked with hits.
Hell The Sequel
#3. Bad Meets Evil, Hell: The Sequel EP
Release date: June 14
Label: Shady, Aftermath
Producers: Eminem, Supa Dups, Mr. Porter, Havoc, DJ Khalil, Bangladesh
Collaborations: N/A
Singles: “Fast Lane”
Complex says: Despite a 12-year span since Eminem and Royce teamed up for the original “Bad Meets Evil,” with both of them seemingly at the top of their games, we expect the EP to be as thick on wit as it is on aggression. Look for a constant competition throughout that will bring the good, possibly great, out of both Bad and Evil.
Tha Carter IV
#2. Lil Wayne, Tha Carter IV
Release date: June 21
Label: Young Money, Cash Money, Universal Motown
Producers: Polow Da Don, Jim Jonsin, Swizz Beatz
Collaborations: Kanye West, Rick Ross, Drake, Cory Gunz, Jadakiss
Singles: “6 Foot, 7 Foot” & “John”
Complex says: To say we’re highly anticipating the fourth installment of Tha Carter series would be an understatement. With the success of “6 Foot, 7 Foot” and “John,” Weezy looks to lyrically be back in top form after a short hiatus. We’re expecting nothing short of a classic album.
Watch The Throne
#1. Kanye West & Jay-Z, Watch The Throne
Release date: TBA
Label: Def Jam
Producers: Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, Lex Luger, Hit-Boy, Bangladesh, Jeff Bhasker
Collaborations: Beyonce, Bruno Mars
Singles: “H-A-M,” “Lift Off”
Complex says: We expect nothing but the best from an album as epic as a collaborative effort between Jay-Z and Kanye West. Best beats. Best raps. Best concepts. Best ab-libs. You get the point.