Fleet Foxes
Helplessness Blues, May 3
Fleet Foxes' 2008 self-titled debut album delivered a well-developed combination of classic rock, pre-1980s country and folk revival. With such an integral sound, however, fans are left to wonder what the overdue Helplessness Blues has to offer for the band's progression.
Danger Mouse and Danielle Luppi
Rome, May 17
Danger Mouse, the acclaimed producer of albums by The Black Keys, Beck and Gorillaz and a member of Broken Bells and Gnarls Barkley, has partnered up with composer Daniele Luppi for their first collaboration, Rome. Two singles, "Two Against One" featuring Jack White and "Black" featuring Norah Jones, have already been released.
Lady Gaga
Born This Way, May 23
With only two albums and over 20 million records sold, Lady Gaga has taken the music world by storm. "Born This Way" and "Judas," the first two singles off the new album, have already generated a strong following among pop music fans and club goers.
Death Cab for Cutie
Codes and Keys, May 31
Alternative rock band Death Cab for Cutie has returned to the studio after its chart-topping 2008 release, Narrow Stairs. Ben Gibbard and Nick Harmer described Codes and Keys (their eighth studio album) as "a much less guitar-centric album than we've ever made."
My Morning Jacket
Circuital, May 31
Industrious indie rockers My Morning Jacket sparked negative responses after the band presented a scattered, uneven melody in their last album, Evil Urges. The band has, however, brought back its unique, reverberating sound for its sixth album, Circuital. The album's already-released title track promises more resolute, consistent harmony.
Arctic Monkeys
Suck it and See, June 6
English indie-garage rock band Arctic Monkeys set the record for fastest-selling debut album in the U.K. with 2006's Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not. While some bands might have broken under the pressure, the Arctic Monkeys have not, putting out two more successful albums since and scheduling their fourth, Suck It and See, for a June release.
Bon Iver
Bon Iver, June 21
Though Bon Iver released its debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago, in 2007 and EP, Blood Bank, in 2009, front man Justin Vernon has been busy with solo shows and appearances, his side project Volcano Choir and collaborations with Kanye West and Gayngs. The self-titled second studio album is due out in June and will feature collaborations with pedal steel player Greg Leisz, string player Rob Moose and Volcano Choir members Jim Schoenecker and Tom Wincek.
Jane's Addiction
The Great Escape Artist, August
Though they have broken up twice in their history, the members of Jane's Addiction have come back together once again from their latest 2004 breakup, toured and are now about to release their first new material in eight years. The album's first single, "End to the Lies," shows the band's progression from early grungy work into a more modernized sound.
With many projects still underway and release dates unknown, Aerosmith, The Shins, Björk, U2 and The Offspring have all also announced summer album releases.