SOUND BITES

Silence Yourself was going to be a tough act to follow. Released to universal acclaim in 2013, Savages' debut record solidified the foursome's status as Next Big Things, their pummeling and raw post-punk striking an unmistakable chord with critics and fans alike. So, like countless Next Big Things before them, Savages come into their second album with the added weight of expectation and the ever-present drone of anticipation. Not that we're owed anything, but those expecting Adore Life to be simply more of the stuff that everyone loved a few years ago have set themselves up for at least a partial disappointment. The frenetic rawness of the debut gives way to a more assured, calculated performance. The songs here won't shake you by the shoulders the same way Silence Yourself did, but it's due more to an increase in confidence and musicianship than a decrease in intensity. To be sure, this is a quieter affair, but it's also more varied emotionally. ...

For as dry as the last couple months of 2015 were, I'd have expected to be looking at a slew of exciting releases to ring in 2016. As it stands, though, not a lot has been confirmed as of yet. Still, what the release schedule is lacking in certainty is more than made up for in its possibilities for the coming twelve months. Before we head into the murky waters of speculation, let's check out some of 2016's sure things: