Spoiler alert: you're going to be hearing a lot from Justin Timberlake next month. He'll be headlining the Super Bowl halftime show on the first Sunday of February, and he's releasing an album two days beforehand, because that's good business. After his weekend of fun in the sun - under the dome, technically - the music business will go on. The rest of the album releases won't come with nearly the same amount of hype, but they'll still bring plenty to the table.
Here are the four best album releases of February 2018.
4. 'Nation of Two' - Vance Joy
Remember that song "Riptide" that everybody liked a few years ago and nobody really knew why? That was Vance Joy! He's back for his first album since the one way that spawned his lone hit. The artist has described his new record as a "self-contained" love story in a press release. The first single, "Lay It On Me," went platinum in Australia. The only way this is going to sell in America, however, is if there's a song the same caliber of "Riptide." [February 23]
3. 'Little Dark Age' - MGMT
Remember MGMT? (Yes, this a month for remembering artists you used to know - deal with it.) Anyways, it's been awhile since we all got down to "Electric Feel." In fact, it's been over a decade since that album came out.
After their last record five years ago, they took a pause on their joint career. It's been challenging for them to find the inspiration for a new sound. Hopefully, this is the moment where they get it back together. [February 9]
2. 'Always Ascending' - Franz Ferdinand
Remember...okay, we get it. Their biggest hit came over 14 years ago with "Take Me Out." Since then, they've had several albums, though their most recent as a band came five years ago.
Guitarist Nick McCarthy is no longer part of the band. Former Maple Leaves member Julian Corrie is now in. The band has already released three singles from the album, so there's hope this record will be a triumphant return for the Scots. [February 9]
1. 'Man of the Woods' - Justin Timberlake
Admittedly, there's not much else doing next month.
It's Justin Timberlake or bust for the music world. The artist claims he wants to make music that makes the world dance, but his first singles from the album don't really accomplish that goal. At the Super Bowl, he'll try to prove that he's a man of the people, not just a man coming in from the woods. "Supplies" and "Filthy" are strange, but this man has a solid track record. [February 2]