THE BRITISH
ARE COMING

New releases from Mark Ronson, The Chemical Brothers (pictured), Foals, Ellie Goulding and The 1975 are in the works, and there’s speculation about the return this year of several other major British acts.

In Q1, Universal has albums confirmed from James Blake with Assume Form (released on Friday), The Specials’ Encore on 2/1, Giggs’ Big Bad on 2/22, Sigrid’s debut Sucker Punch on 3/1 and The Chemical Brothers' No Geography in the spring.

For the rest of the year, albums are expected from Hozier, Bastille, Goulding and Aurora, as well as The 1975’s part II, Notes On a Conditional Form. There’s also speculation about the return of Lana Del Rey, Loyle Carner and Catfish and the Bottlemen.

Sony’s returning acts include Bring Me the Horizon with Amo on 1/25, a fifth Mark Ronson album and the long-awaited solo return of Labrinth.

Lips are sealed at Warner, although we do know that Foals are set to release part I of their fifth studio album, Everything Not Saved Will be Lost, on 3/8 with part II to follow in autumn. We also know that Stormzy is in the studio, and there might be another Bat for Lashes album in the works.

Outside of the majors, Dido is set to release her first album in five years, Still On My Mind, via BMG on 3/8. The Who are also working on new music for an album expected in the fall, label TBD, and Young Turks artist FKA Twigs could be back.

Also, is it time for the return of Adele? Stay tuned.