Summary: Just when you thought you were done looking back at this past year and all caught up on the musical highs and lows of 2013, well think again. It's time to look ahead. To help, Tris McCall, music critic for the New Jersey Star-Ledger, guides Soundcheck host John Schaefer through a few of the most anticipated releases of early 2014. Katy B, Little Red (out Feb. 3 on Sony/Columbia Records) There has been a ton of interesting electronic music coming out of England over the last few years, but many attempts to layer a pop singer over the beat have left something to be desired. Katy B is set to drive bodies to the dance floor, however, on her upcoming sophomore release. Hospitality, Trouble (out Jan. 21 on Merge) Camera Obscura meets Belle & Sebastian meets Elvis Costello? Meet Hospitality. Suggestive, off-kilter melodies by this Brooklyn trio. Azealia Banks, Broke With Expensive Taste (out TBA on Universal) While there's still no formal release date on this long-teased and overdue debut, Azealia Banks seems set to drop the first important hip-hop record of the year. St. Vincent, St. Vincent (out Feb. 25 on Republic Records) Fresh off her celebratory (and celebrated) collaboration with David Byrne, Annie Clark returns to St. Vincent with another unique paean to anxiety filled with angular, edgy guitar sounds.
