With vinyl sales at their highest level for thirty years, streaming services continuing to grow even further in popularity, and even the humble cassette tape making a comeback, it’s clear that the music industry is as popular as ever - even if it’s harder than ever for artists to earn a living.
Last year saw a plenty of huge releases, with Adele, Ed Sheeran, Abba and Olivia Rodrigo leading sales, while the likes of Little Simz, Sault, Arlo Parks and Dry Cleaning produced critically-acclaimed records.
Now we can look forward to more of the same in 2022, with new albums from The Cure, Arctic Monkeys, BTS, Harry Styles and Lizzo all the in the pipeline.
Here are 10 of the most intriguing set to drop in January.
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5. Years & Years
Now a solo project for multi-talented Olly Alexander - whose performance in 'It's A Sin' was one of the television highlights of 2021 - Years & Years release third album 'Night Call' on January 21. Photo: Anthony Devlin
6. Sea Girls
London indie band Sea Girls scored a top three album with their debut 'Open Up Your Head' in 2020. The anticipated follow-up, 'Homesick', drops on January 14. Photo: Sea Girls
7. Kiefer Sutherland
He may be better known as an film and television actor, including as Jack Bauer in '24', but Kiefer Sutherland turned heads with his debut country album 'Down In A Hole' in 2016. He's since toured extensively, regaling audiences with Hollywood tales between songs. HIs third album 'Bloor Street' on January 21. Photo: Terry Wyatt
8. The Wombats
January 7 will see Liverpool's The Wombats release their first album for four years. Backed by a UK arena tour, 'Fix Yourself, Not The World' was recorded over lockdown. Photo: The Wombats