Every week, a different FADER editor compiles a playlist to highlight a new release and give you a guide to that artist’s web of influences and peers. These Staff Selects live in our Spotify app, alongside GEN Fs from our archives and playlists for each issue. This week, it’s Duncan Cooper being excited about what might happen this year.
D'Angelo's new LP is finally—13 years since his last one was released—“99% done,” and will be turned in “next month,” according to Questlove, who supposedly contributes drums. (Questlove did say it was 97% complete two years ago, though.) We'll see. Every year on earth starts with bullshit promises for the months to come, but for whatever reason, I feel like giving some long-quiet, supposedly-doing-something artists the benefit of the doubt. The Avalanches are 13 years due, too; they released a mixtape last year, which is promising. Supposedly Danny Brown rapped on their long-in-progress new one—hey, he said he was 75% done his own just last month! Missy? Maybe. M.I.A. seems to at least have something. The Knife, definitely. Justin is weirdly ambiguous, given such deliberate promo. Miley Cyrus produced by Pharrell? Okay, why not. And on, and on, and on. All 22 artists on this playlist are prooobbbbaaaabbblllyyyy releasing something this year. Maybe we'll hear all of them, ha. Either way, their old stuff still sounds great.
Stream: An Optimistic Preview of 2013
