Your Ultimate Guide To 2013 In Music

Don't look now, but 2013 is shaping up to be a very competitive year in music.  Have you seen the tentative list of artists planning to release new music next year? 

Below are artists that have already begun recording tracks to release a new album next year. Whose new music are you looking forward to the most (choose five)?

Under the poll, check out a debrief of what we know about each the relevant albums so far!

Whose new music are you most excited to hear next year?
	Avril Lavigne
	Britney Spears
	Beyonce
	Ciara - "One Woman Army"
	Chris Brown - "Carpe Diem"
	Demi Lovato
	Eminem
	J. Cole - "Born Sinner"
	Jason Derulo
	Jonas Brothers
	Jordin Sparks
	Kanye West
	Katy Perry
	Kelly Clarkson
	Keri Hilson
	Kings of Leon
	Kylie Minogue
	Lady GaGa - "ARTPOP"
	Lil Wayne - "The Carter V"
	Mariah Carey
	Miley Cyrus
	Nicki Minaj - "Pink Friday: The Pink Print"
	Nicole Scherzinger
	No Doubt
	Paramore
	Rita Ora
	Selena Gomez and the Scene

- Avril Lavigne - 
Coming off 2011's underwhelming "Goodbye Lullaby," pop-rocker Avril Lavigne confirmed that her fifth studio album will drop in spring 2013. In September, label executive L.A. Reid confirmed that the album was "in the mixing stages." At this point, the album is completed. The album will feature a collaboration with Avril's fiancé, Nickelback lead singer, Chad Kroeger. Avril confirmed that the new album will be rockier, "pop and more fun" compared to 'Lullaby' which was "more mellow" and personal.


- Azealia Banks - 
Azealia Banks took over in 2012 through her mixtapes and buzz singles and now, the 21-year-old Harlem rapper is prepared to release her debut album "Broke With Expensive Taste" in early 2013. Azealia has worked with a wide-range of successful producers and songwriters such as Paul Epworth ("Rolling in the Deep"), Paul Oakenfold and Diplo, as well as songwriter/producer Ryan Tedder. The lead single is expected sometime next month.

 - Beyoncé -
Beyoncé's upcoming fifth-studio album will be more mainstream, ala more "Sasha Fierce," than "4." Contributors involve producers Missy Elliott, Hit-Boy and The Dream; Justin Timberlake, Kanye West; songwriters Miguel, Ryan Tedder ("Halo") and Ne-Yo. Rumored involvement from the Cataracs ("Like A G6") and Sia. Expect to hear the King B's lead single sometime next month.

- Britney Spears - 
Britney's album is said to be more "personal." Britney is working with urban producers Danja and Darkchild as well as songwriters Elijah Blake ("Climax") and Ina Wroldsen ("He About to Lose Me"). Rumored producer Diplo; "Niggas In Paris" producer Hit-Boy recently claimed he wants to pitch in. Britney has been recording since Summer 2012. Britney's eighth album is the last album under her contract with RCA and labels have already begun bidding for her.

- Chris Brown - 
Not much is known about Chris Brown's upcoming sixth studio album "Carpe Diem." However, the project's lead single "Nobody's Perfect," produced by EDM duo Showtek, has already premiered. The single is expected to be officially released sometime in early January. 

- Katy Perry - 
Katy Perry's third studio album is said to be "darker," coming off her divorce to comedian Russell Brand. This will also be Katy's first album with no songs from Dr. Luke ("California Gurls," "I Kissed A Girl") since Luke can contractually only work with artists at Sony (Katy is with EMI). The darker vibe will be a departure from 2010's candy scented album "Teenage Dream." Recently, Björk has been confirmed to be writing songs for the project. Songwriter Bonnie McKee will contribute as well as producer Greg Wells.

- Kanye West - 
In late summer 2012, Kanye West headed to Hawaii to begin work on his sixth solo studio album. Not much is known about Yeezy's upcoming album aside from what he told Shade 45's Sway:  "Last time I did everything against the rules, this time I am gonna work on actually using the rules to my favor."

- Kelly Clarkson -
Kelly Clarkson has been recording for her sixth studio album since late spring of 2012. Darkchild is currently involved with the project and Clarkson has confirmed that his "amazing" track will definitely "be on the next album." In an interview with Wave 105 host Mark Collins, Clarkson said she wasn't sure if the album would release next year, but acknowledged her typical two-year release cycle. However, it is confirmed that Kelly will have Christmas album release around "October/November."

- Kylie Minogue - 
Not much is known about Kylie Minogue's upcoming twelfth studio album aside that she has been recording since January 2012.

- Lady GaGa - 
Lady GaGa's "ARTPOP" is said to be GaGa's return to more lighthearted subject matter, a departure from 2011's darker and preachy "Born This Way." Contributors include mainstay's RedOne, Fernando Garibay and DJ White Shadow, as well as new names: rising-EDM producer Zedd, and Madeon. Up-incoming rapper Azealia Banks is featured on two songs for the project, "Ratchet" and "Red Flame" but it's unknown if one will make the final cut. According to GaGa, the album is "risky" and may also be split into two volumes.

- Lil Wayne - 
Last month, Lil Wayne confirmed to MTV that after releasing "The Carter V," he plans to retire. While I'm sure "retirement" means take a long break and come back in a year or two, much like Jay-Z, the fact is Lil Wayne will want "The Carter V" to be something he can leave on an high note with. That in mind, not much is known about "The Carter V." It should also be noted that Tunechi also plans to drop "I Am Not A Human Being II" sometime in early 2013 before his "final" album releases a few months after that.

- Eminem - 
Eminem confirmed to MTV that he started to get back into "album mode" in August of 2012. He has also confirmed that his eighth studio album will release next year and feature contributions from producer No I.D.

- Mariah Carey - 
With the American Idol promotional machine behind her back, Mariah Carey is planning to release her eleventh studio album around March 2013. The project could have been released earlier this year, but lead-turned-buzz single "Triumphant" failing to catch on coupled with Mariah's move to 'Idol' prompted the smart pushback into 2013, and allowed Mariah to record more tracks. Mariah has been recording the new album since Fall 2011 and has re-united with longtime producer/songwriter Jermaine Dupri ("We Belong Together") for the project. Mariah cites her new journey as a mother as the inspiration behind the new album. Aside from Durpi, Mariah has worked with producer Darkchild and has re-united with producer/songwriter Walter Afanasieff ("One Sweet Day") after 16 years apart!

- Miley Cyrus - 
Talk about taking your time, Miley Cyrus has been working on her fourth studio album since 2011 and is looking to be taken seriously as an adult artist. Miley has been working with urban producers like Pharrell Williams as well as collaborating with rappers Tyler the Creator and Mac Miller for the new album. Last month, Miley told CNN that the new album is "dirty south hip-hop music" and fuses country and hip-hop. Look for Miley's new album in the first half of 2013.

- Nicki Minaj - 
Nicki Minaj said that her third studio album, "Pink Friday: The Pink Print" will be entirely urban, unlike the 60/40 urban-pop split of second album "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded." Not much is known about 'The Pink Print' but Nicki has confirmed that some of the beats have already been completed.

- Rita Ora - 
Not much is known about Rita Ora's upcoming sophomore album, but she has confirmed that she will begin recording early next month for an album release later in 2013.

- Selena Gomez & the Scene - 
Ryan Seacrest confirmed that Selena Gomez & the Scene's third studio album will release around March 2013. Not much is known about the project but she plans to enlist the help of BFF Taylor Swift to help write...Bieber diss track, coming soon?