10 albums to look forward to in 2018

<h2>Arethra Franklin</h2> <p>The Queen of Soul, now 75, is winding down her performing career but she intends to make at least one more album – her first to feature new material since 2011’s <em>Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love</em>. Expect collaborations with Stevie Wonder, Elton John and more.</p> <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images</p>
<h2>Iggy Azalea</h2> <p>The Aussie rapper has had her share of rivals but she seems to have buried the hatchet with longtime foe Azealia Banks. The U.S. rapper is set to appear on Iggy’s new album, <em>Digital Distortion</em>. “Public Service Announcement: Azealia is going to be on <em>DD</em>,” Iggy declared. “We are collaborating.”</p> <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images</p>
<h2>Avril Lavigne</h2> <p>She hasn’t released a new album since 2013 but now the singer appears ready to test the waters with an ode to her roots. “I got my start in church and at country fairs ... and I think those earlier influences are definitely coming out now.”</p> <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images</p>
<h2>Kylie Minogue</h2> <p>Kylie says her next album is steeped in heartbreak but the Aussie favourite was quick to add that the recording, done over two weeks in Nashville, was also “cathartic.” “Most of it is super positive,” the singer added, “as a note to self as much as anything else. I’m feeling great right now.”</p> <p>Photo: &copy; Rex</p>
<h2>Celine Dion</h2> <p>“Probably during the fall [of 2018],” the superstar said about the timing of her first English album since 2013’s <em>Loved Me Back to Life</em>. But, she added, “could be sooner.” What’s known so far is that she is recording in Las Vegas and that she’s collaborating with both Sia and Pink.</p> <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images</p>
<h2>Selena Gomez</h2> <p>Selena fans are buzzing with anticipation about who will guest on the “Good for You” singer’s next album. Could it be ex-boyfriend The Weeknd? Or will Justin Bieber, with whom she’s reunited, appear? Either way, it’s bound to be a personal album. “I’ve poured my heart into my music and I want it to be fresh,” she said. Bring it on.</p> <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images</p>
<h2>Vance Joy</h2> <p>The Australian singer-songwriter cracked the Top 20 in the U.S. with his infectious hit “Riptide,” a track from his 2014 debut album <em>Dream Your Life Away</em>. Now Vance is readying his sophomore album, <em>Nation of Two</em>, a collection of songs that will include emotionally rich acoustic numbers like current release “Lay It on Me.”</p> <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images</p>
<h2>Simple Minds</h2> <p>The Scottish hit makers, led by Jim Kerr, are calling their next album, due Feb. 2, <em>Walk Between Worlds</em>. The band describes it as having “two distinct sides,” one featuring guitars and “new wave dance grooves” while the other has more cinematic sounds.</p> <p>Photo: &copy; Rex</p>
<h2>Cowboy Junkies</h2> <p>The Canadian roots rock veterans have recorded 16 studio albums to date, including 1988 breakout <em>The Trinity Sessions</em>. Now the group, led by singer Margo Timmins, is set to return with their first batch of new material since their 2015 box set, <em>Notes Falling Slow</em>.</p> <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images</p>
<h2>The 1975</h2> <p>The British alt-rock group promise their forthcoming third album, <em>Music for Cars</em>, will be ambitious, but the title may be familiar – it’s also what they named their 2013 extended play release. “It was my favourite title of everything we’ve ever done,” explained frontman Matt Healy, “so it kinda made sense to wrap it up that way.”</p> <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images</p>
<p>Fans of Celine, Kylie, Avril, Aretha and Selena have a lot to look forward to in 2018, as those divas are among the stars with albums expected in the coming months. It promises to be a very good year. Click through for ten albums that should be on your radar this year...</p> <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images</p>
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