Preview: Albums in 2009

The threat to the music industry from illegal downloads and falling CD sales was much discussed this year. Will 2009 reverse the trend? SIMON PARKIN looks at what new releases will be hitting the shops over the next 12-months.

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t Antony & The Johnsons - The Crying Light

January 19

The highly anticipated full-length follow-up to the Mercury Prize winning I Am a Bird Now. This time Antony's inimitable voice is enveloped in arrangements by avant-classical composer Nico Muhly.

t Franz Ferdinand - Tonight: Franz Ferdinand

January 26

Third album from the Scots art-rockers is finally ready for release, with suggestions that guitars have been replaced with a more synth-based sound this time out.

t Eminem - Relapse

January 26

The rapper is finally putting the finishing touches to his belated follow-up to 2004's Encore with producer Dr Dre. The album has been preceded by the freestyle I'm Having a Relapse, which suggests a return to he absurd lyrical style of Marshall Mathers.

t Bruce Springsteen - Working On A Dream

January 27

Bruce's 24th album has been recorded quickly in Atlanta with the E Street Band and features 12 new Springsteen compositions plus two bonus tracks, including The Wrestler from the forthcoming movie of the same name.

t Baaba Maal - On The Road

February 1

Fans of the African star who've given up waiting for a proper follow-up to 2001's Missing You can console themselves with this acoustic live album. Though its already available on download.

t The View - Which Bitch

February 2

Recorded in Wales the indie darling's second album has been produced by the acclaimed Owen Morris, who worked on their platinum selling debut, Hats Off To The Buskers. Tracks include One Off Pretender, Unexpected, Jimmy's Crazy Conspiracy and the single Shock Horror.

t Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You

February 9

Second album from the outspoken songstress sees her enhance her reputation for astute cultural observations and cheeky lyrics, together with a host of collaborations. Single The Fear is already out.

t Mos Def - The Ecstatic

February 9

Having been sidetracked by acting, the hip hop star finally gets around to the follow-up to his patchy rock-and-rap album The New Danger and the barely released True Magic. Kanye West and Madlib are on board and early online track Life in Marvelous Times was promising.

t Mongrel - Better Than Heavy

February 9

The side project of various members and ex-members of the Arctic Monkeys, Babyshambles and Reverend and the Makers, plus rapper Lowkey, will finally get around to releasing their debut, mixing politically driven rap with dub and rock.

t Morrissey - Years of Refusal

February 16

Completed earlier this year in LA with the late Jerry Finn, producer of his 2004 album You Are The Quarry, includes 12 tracks, including I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris, Something Is Squeezing My Skull, Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed and One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell.

t 50 Cent - Before I Self Destruct

February 23

Fourth album from 'Fiddy' will tie-in with a movie about a basketball player who sacrifices his dream to a life of crime in order to take care of his younger brother. A DVD of the film will be included with every copy of the album, thereby avoiding the box office disaster that was get Rick Or Die Tryin'.

t U2 - No Line On The Horizon

March 2

Written and recorded in various locations, including Morocco, the group's 12th studio album, the first since 2004's How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, will apparently boast a new sound, though they've again worked with long-time collaborators Brian Eno and Danny Lanois.

t The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die

March 2

The follow-up to 2004's Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned features 11 tracks of rock-infused dance mayhem that harks back to their mid-90s hey-day. David Grohl returns to the drum kit for one track, Run With The Wolves.

t Starsailor - All The Plans

March 2

The band's fourth studio album, the follow-up to 2005's On The Outside, is said to be closer in spirit to their debut and features collaborations with Ronnie Wood.

t Busta Rhymes - B.O.M.B.

March 9

After the success of 2006's The Big Bang, the rapper's eighth studio LP is a typically collaborative effort, featuring guest spots from amongst many, Linkin Park, Akon and T.I.

t Jay-Z - Blueprint III

March 16

He may have 'retired' in 2004, but he's still managed to release Kingdom Come and American Gangster and tour the world, including his Glastonbury headliner. 2009 looks to be just as busy as he releases the Kanye West co-produced third part of his multi-platinum selling trilogy.

t PJ Harvey/John Parish - A Woman & A Man Walk By

March 30

A new collaboration, recorded in Bristol and Dorset, is a follow up to Harvey and accomplished composer and producer Parish's previous collaboration Dance Hall At Louse Point in 1996.

t Doves - Untitled

Spring 2009

The Manchester trio return with their fourth album, the follow-up to 2005's Some Cities. Songs include Jetstream, sung by guitarist Jez Williams, The Outsiders and a 'vaguely country rock-esque tune' called Winter Hill.

t Pet Shop Boys

Spring 2009

Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have completed several new songs for their 10th album, the follow-up to the 2006's Fundamental and 2007's remix album, Disco Four.

t Massive Attack - Untitled

Spring 2009

It pays not to hold your breath for the slow-coach trip-hop pioneers. They're collaborating again with Horace Andy and Elizabeth

Fazer, but also Damon Albarn, TV On The Radio and possibly Patti Smith, with a return to more soulful sound suggested. It'll not be called Weather Underground as previously mooted though.

t Missy Elliot - Block Party

April 6

The oft-delayed album, originally slated for last May, features a galaxy of production from Souldiggaz, Pharrell and Timbaland, among many others. Tracks include the Jazmine Sullivan-assisted Like When You Play the Music, Hip-Hop Don't Die and Best Best, the first single.

t Depeche Mode - Untitled

April 20

More electro stadium rock as the former synth kings release their 12th studio album, Dave Gahan having released his second solo album since the last one. No title as yet, though the accompanying arena tour is titled 'Tour of the Universe'.

t Aerosmith - Untitled

Summer 2009

With Joe Perry's knee surgery and Steven Tyler's knee rehabilitation, the rockers are showing their age, but that'll not stop them releasing the follow-up to 2004's cover album Honkin' on Bobo and the band's first album of new original material since Just Push Play in 2001.

t Dr Dre - Detox

Summer 2009

The long-anticipated third solo album from the hip hop doyen comes nine years after his six-times-platinum 2001, which was itself a long-awaited follow-up to his revered 1992 debut, The Chronic, whose G Funk sound dominated rap for years afterwards. Guests include Nas, Jay-Z and Lil Wayne

t Toni Amos - Untitled

Summer 2009

The songstress's last album American Doll Posse was a concept album told from the view of five women. After experimenting with film on tour, rumours are the follow-up looks set to continue her experimentation, including visuals to go alongside each song.

t Placebo - Untitled

Late 2009

Have been working on their sixth album with producer David Bottrill and engineer James Brown, who worked on fifth album Meds, in Toronto. This will be their first album since drummer Steve Hewitt left the band to be released by Steve Forrest.

t Robbie Williams - Untitled

Late 2009

After his disputes with EMI, exile in LA and rumours of a Take That reunion, Robbie is finally making progress on a follow-up to the disappointing Rude Box. Just don't believe suggestions it'll be a UFO-themed record. That's rubbish says his manager Tim Clark.

t Amy Winehouse - Untitled

Late 2009

Another troubled soul who may, or may not, return with a new album this year. Word has it that Winehouse has reached demo stage with some new tracks, and that its had a positive reaction from label bosses.

t Michael Jackson - Untitled

Late 2009

And souls don't come anymore troubled than Jacko. Are we ready for his comeback? This looks likely to be the year he tries to salvage his musical reputation. He is said top have several songs already in production. Suggested titles include The Kid, Broken, Systematic and Wonderland.

t Muse - Untitled

Late 2009

The trio have already begun work on their fifth studio album, follow-up to 2006's Black Holes And Revelations, but whather it'll see the light of day this year remains to be seen.

t Arctic Monkeys - Untitled

Late 2009

With Alex Turner back from moonlighting with the Shadow Puppets, the Sheffield outfit have already done some demos for their third album with Queen's of the Stone Age's Josh Homme. Asked what it'll sound like, Matt Helders said: 'It won't be the same again, but that's all I can really say.'

t Roxy Music - Untitled

Late 2009

Recording has been on-off for a couple of years on the band's first album since 1982's Avalon, and input from original member Brian Eno has only heightened anticipation.