Page 2 - Four Artists Most Likely To Release A Surprise Album This Year

One Direction

One Direction dropped a heartbreaking bombshell this week when they announced the departure of member Zayn Malik. As depressing as it is, there are a couple of brightsides: Malik is hopefully now in a happier state of mind, and the group is also going to continue as a four piece with a new album by the end of the year. Who knows what route the record will take, but it’s bound to be massive in every way imaginable. With all of the hype that’ll emerge over a Zayn-less record, it’d make sense to drop it out of nowhere.

The next One Direction album will be without Zayn Malik

Fun.

As hard as it is to admit, there’s no real reason why fun. ever needs to release a follow-up to 2011’s incredible effort, Some Nights. Guitarist Jack Antonoff has a great thing going with his project Bleachers, and Nate Ruess has a solo album coming that just might have some of the best songs he’s ever written, if his single ‘Nothing Without Love’ is anything to go by. Although everyone expected a new fun. album this year, the band has kind of put it on indefinite hold while they all do their own thing - but they’re definitely not broken up. If things start to die down a bit in the members’ schedules sometime this year, it’d be the perfect time to link up, get a fun. record done, and release it to the masses without a peep. Considering Antonoff announced last year’s Bleachers record via an ad on Craigslist, a surprise album probably isn’t too far-fetched for these guys.

Read More: Zayn Malik Leaves One Direction

Adele

Adele is coming out with a new album this year. Maybe. Or maybe not. Nobody really knows. But that’s the best ingredient for a surprise album these days, isn’t it? Adele has reportedly been in the studio for a while, working with the likes of Ryan Tedder, Diane Warren, and Phil Collins - so new music at least exists. For what it’s worth, some online retailers have even listed the record up for pre-order (with no release date of course). This mysterious third Adele album, hopefully titled 27, could be the mother of all surprise albums if it decides to go that route. If she’s trending on Twitter soon and your router spontaneously combusts, you’ll know the reason why.