As most people know, January is typically a slow month for albums (maybe the slowest). Holdover titles from the last few months of the previous year usually dominate the charts. A typical album from the previous year could sell less than 80,000 copies and remain #1 in January. Occasionally, a has been or newer yet well known artist will manage to sneak a #1 with a new album (released in January) and sell the bare minimum. For example, Ke$ha's 1st album sold 152,000 copies in January 2010. Although this seems like a lot of copies, it was released on January 1st, when the post Christmas digital rush is still in affect. A better example would be Bruce Springsteen's 18th studio album,
High Hopes, which sold 99,000 copies last week and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200.
Either way, January is still a lagging month for music in the US and February and March have to work extra hard to keep the rest of the year up. February 2014 releases have looked a little grim though. Albums from Little Mix, Eric Church, Schoolboy Q and The Fray will likely lead the month while albums from Toni Braxton, Candice Glover, and Sean Paul will likely underperform. That's why I'm skipping into March, which is swirling with announcements of albums from seasoned and still fresh performers Ashanti, Enrique Iglesias, Kylie Minogue, and Shakira among others.
Here are my most highly anticipated new album release in March.
5. "Braveheart" by Ashanti
Release Date: March 18th, 2014
Ashanti first came into the spotlight in the early 2000s when her first two singles and her first album preformed extremely well in the United States. Since then, her subsequent albums have also been strong performers.
Her 5th studio album,
Braveheart, follows
The Declaration, her most recent album which was released in 2008. The album has been preceded by 3 worldwide singles and is set for a mid March 2014 release date. The main reason why I am including this album is because Ashanti has been gone from the music scene for quite a while and I (like many others) can't wait for her to return.
4. "Pulses" by Karmin
Release Date: March 25th, 2014
After releasing a commercially successful debut EP (
Hello) in 2012, Karmin returned in 2013 with the first taste of their first full length studio album. Their single, "Acapella", became an international hit and peaked at #5 on the CDS Music Chart Hot 50. The group's 2nd official single, "I Want It All", was officially released on January 28th, 2014.
Rumored to contain 14 tracks, the new album is set for a March 25th, 2014. It was initially planned to be released in September 2013, but following a dispute with their record label, Karmin continued to write and record more music for possible inclusion on the LP.
3. "Kiss Me Once" by Kylie Minogue"
Release Date: March 18th, 2014
Kylie Minogue has had a little under 4 years to prep her 12th studio album,
Kiss Me Once, which hits retailers on March 18th, 2014. Promotion for the album has started off with a bang. The album's lead single, "Into the Blue" was released on January 27th, 2014 alongside the special edition pre-order of the album.
Containing 13 tracks and several additional bonus videos, the limited special addition will sell for around $25 physically (according to the official Kylie store) and for $14 digitally. The regular edition with 11 tracks will sell for $15 physically and for $11 digitally, and will likely be the most common edition. A super limited edition will sell for $80 (contains limited prints, signed copies, only 2,000 made, vinyl, download code and deluxe album all included).
2. "Sex + Love" by Enrique Iglesias
Release Date: March 18th, 2014
Enrique Iglesias last released a new album all the way back in the summer of 2010. That album,
Euphoria, produced 7 international singles (4 English language and 3 Spanish language). After his worldwide success with the album, Enrique hoped for a re-issue of his most recent album. When that idea fell through, he became promoting his next dual language studio album.
Promoted by 7 international singles, his latest project,
Sex + Love, is set for a March 18th release date. A confirmed track with Kylie Minogue titled "Beautiful" will be released to retailers as part of Kylie's 12 studio album,
Kiss Me Once, which also drops on March 18th. No word as to whether or not the collaboration will appear on the Enrique album. The album's cover art will be released tonight.
1. "Shakria" by Shakira
Release Date: March 25th, 2014
After the international success of her last album,
Sale El Sol, in 2011, Shakira had a baby, became a coach on the United States version of
The Voice and recorded her 10th album. Her 10th album, titled
Shakira, will be released on March 25th, 2014. The album is preceded by the worldwide single "Can't Remember to Forget You (feat. Rihanna)" released on January 13th, 2014. While the single has so far peaked at #8 on the CDS Music Chart Hot 50, the song has had mixed reactions from around the world. The song has reached #1 in Colombia and the top 10 in 8 more countries. It hit the top 40 in almost all charting countries including #28 in the United States.
The album was announced to feature 3 deluxe edition tracks that will only be available for purchase at Target. The track list has yet to be announced, although a spanish version of the lead single was released the following week.
Come back for more exclusive posts on albums and the weekly chart highlights!
