Forbes' list - 8 of the most Anticipated Albums Of 2017

Pop typically rules the charts in terms of hit songs and cultural appeal, but sometimes the genre’s power sways. 2016 saw hip-hop and electronic music asserting new dominance, as many of the tried-and-true divas and those that have become known as the most successful hit producers didn’t deliver as they typically do. Next year, a handful of stars are set to return with new albums, many of which could see promotional campaigns last for a long time as they spin off single after single...hopefully. If not, it could be another year where newcomers and other styles have a chance to step in and run the show.
Here are eight of the most highly anticipated pop albums set to be released in 2017.
Katy Perry

One of the most successful pop stars of all time with only three albums under her belt, expectations might be higher for Katy Perry than anyone else in the genre. The singer has sent at least one song from every CD to the top of the charts, but usually she manages more than a single leader, and that’s a difficult task to manage. Little to nothing is known about the upcoming fourth record in terms of a name or release date, but she has recently been
previewing snippets of new material on social media, so perhaps it is well on its way?
Christina Aguilera
Once a sure thing when it came to charting massive hits, Christina Aguilera’s last few albums have only managed somewhat lukewarm performances, despite the fact that they were both generally regarded to be well-produced pop efforts. The powerhouse vocalist certainly isn’t in trouble of losing her celebrity, but she could use a hit to keep her reign as one of the biggest women in pop going. Her last two smash hits have been thanks to other acts like Maroon 5 and A Great Big World, so it would be wonderful to see her premiere an instant blockbuster hit on her own.
Nelly Furtado
The Canadian pop singer’s career has seen success come to her on more than one occasion, with different styles all proving to be incredibly popular when done her way. From acoustic-leaning folk to urban electronic pop, Furtado has done it all, and she’s sold millions in the process. Having said that, her last album,
The Spirit Indestructible, was a certified flop, as it failed to produce even a single hit or even break into the top 50 on the records tally. Things are not looking great for hier 2017 offering The Ride , as she has already released two singles, “Islands Of Me” and “Pipe Dreams,” but neither has made much noise anywhere. Whether it sells or fails, it will be interesting to hear what Nelly has been working on.
Charli XCX
After finding success both as a featured songwriter and vocalist (Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” and Icona Pop’s “I Love It”) and finally on her own (“Boom Clap”), odd-pop darling Charli XCX has collected a devoted following for a good reason. She can write a serious hook and compete with the best when it comes to stage presence and she has no shortage of star quality. Her most recent Vroom Vroom EP saw her experimenting and trying out some decidedly anti-top 40 sounds, while her new single “After The Afterparty” might remain a fan favorite. XCX’s new album could wind up being one of the better underground releases of the year, or another surprise smash could be hidden in there somewhere—only time will tell what she’s got in the works.
Lorde

She is only one album into her career, but Lorde is widely regarded to be one of the most exciting voices in pop. Her talent and personality seem as if they should belong to someone twice her age, despite the fact that she is only 20. With multi-platinum hits like “Royals” and “Team” to her credit, people want something they’ve never heard before, and the songwriting needs to be on-point. It will be interesting to see if Lorde can manage another international smash that takes pop in new directions yet again.
Kelly Clarkson
The original American Idol has been hard at work on something new in the studio, and she’s mentioned that her upcoming eighth album will venture into soul/R&B territory, as opposed to staying in the electronic pop that has been working extremely well for her recently. It’s been over a decade since she first debuted on the charts, and nobody has earned the right to experiment a bit more than Kelly Clarkson. Thankfully, her voice is the kind that can pull just about anything off, so there isn’t likely any reason to be worried she won’t produce something terrific, no matter the genre.
Fergie
It has now been over a decade since the Black Eyed Peas singer successfully went solo, and the patience of her fans seems to be running thin. She has been releasing songs in the ramp up to Double Dutchess for several years, though there has never been any word on when the album will actually arrive, or which of the handful of tracks that have been shared will make the cut. 2016 saw the pop star dropping
“M.I.L.F.$.” and the more recent “Life Goes On,” with the former ending up as the most memorable. When it comes to Fergie, a full-length isn’t guaranteed, but hopefully she’ll finally gift her fans what they’ve been waiting for.
Maroon 5
The most successful pop band out there right now, Maroon 5 doesn’t have much in the way of competition when it comes to groups, and it’s clear that Adam Levine and company have no intentions of letting their iron-tight grip on the charts go anytime soon. The pop-rockers returned in 2016 with the almost too-trendy
“Don’t Wanna Know,” which sees them essentially abandoning all instruments in favor of something that combines Kendrick Lamar and light tropical house music. The song broke into the top 10, and it’s a sign that a new album (and perhaps a new style) probably isn’t too far off.
Keep An Ear Out For
Pop megastars like Kylie Minogue, Pink, and Ed Sheeran have all hinted in one way or another that 2017 might be a time of new music with full albums probably coming at some point. Justin Timberlake had a busy 2016, with a No. 1 hit in “Can’t Stop The Feeling!” and projects in the film world, and while he has confirmed that an album is in the works, there’s a chance fans may need to hold on until 2018, as his plate still seems rather full. Newcomers like Zara Larsson and Dua Lipa could end up producing some of the biggest tunes of the year, and both are poised to become serious hitmakers.
Dubbed : Forbes.com