2012 was a strange year for pop music. Many of the year’s best albums snuck up on us (Miguel, Frank Ocean, Fiona Apple), pushing aside “event” albums from megastars like Madonna and Christina Aguilera. (Taylor Swift held up her end of the deal, though.) Meanwhile, a handful of singles from virtual nobodies had the whole world singing in unison. But 2013 could mark the return of the Established Pop Juggernaut, thanks to new releases from Beyonce and Lady Gaga, a credibility grab by Justin Bieber and the return of Eminem, Paramore and Miley Cyrus. We don’t know how it will all shake out (besides the inevitable KimYe baby song), but below are the 13 pop albums we can’t wait to hear in 2013.
