Listen Before You Buy

There’s some good soul and blues to be had here, and Brittany Howard’s voice is as stunning as you’d expect, but for all of its climaxes, “Boys & Girls” could be a much more muscular album. Still, Alabama Shakes have big things in store for them.

The first part of some anticipated albums for this coming year includes Alabama Shakes, Azealia Banks, The Beach Boys, Beach House, Fanfarlo, Frank Ocean, Grizzly Bear, Janelle Monaé, The Killers, Marques Toliver, The Miracals, Memoryhouse, MGMT, Michael Kiwanuka, Miike Snow, MIKA and the morning benders!