Music Shopping List: Big Sean Leads the Charge

Big Sean leads the charge of new releases issued February 3, 2016 as he drops his fourth studio album, I Decided.

Ah, a new month (February), which means new music! The first music release in February is top heavy, with the return of rapper Big Sean (I Decided.) leading the charge.  Behind Sean, Reba McEntire should definitely impact the Billboard 200 with her first gospel album, Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope.  Speaking of gospel, CeCe Winans returns (Let Them Fall in Love).

1. Big Sean, I Decided.

[Def Jam]

Big Sean returns with his fourth studio album, I Decided.   I Decided arrives two years after Dark Sky Paradise.  Dark Sky Paradise gave the Detroit MC his first no. 1 album on the Billboard 200.  As of yet, all of Big Sean’s albums have debuted in the top three of the Billboard 200.  Three singles were released ahead of I Decided.: “Bounce Back,” “Moves,” and “Halfway Off the Balcony.”

• Tracks: 14
• Pre-Release Singles: “Bounce Back,” “Moves,” and “Halfway Off the Balcony.”

2. Reba McEntire, Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope

[Big Machine]

Country veteran Reba McEntire returns with country-gospel double LP, Sing it Now: Songs of Faith & Hope.  Sing it Now arrives nearly two years after Love Somebody, an album that debuted at no. 3 on the Billboard 200.  Kelly Clarkson and Trisha Yearwood guest on hymn “Softly and Tenderly.” Clarkson previously collaborated with Reba on her Duets album (“Because of You”).

• Tracks: 20
• Featured Guests: The Isaacs, Kelly Clarkson & Trisha Yearwood
• Pre-Release Singles: “Oh, How I Love Jesus,” “Oh Happy Day,” “Softly and Tenderly” (ft. Kelly Clarkson & Trisha Yearwood), “Sing it Now,” “God and My Girlfriends,” “Hallelujah, Amen” & “Back to God”

3. Syd, Fin

[Columbia]

Syd – known as the lead vocalist for The Internet – drops her solo debut, Fin.  Comprised of 12 tracks, two singles were issued prior to the album: “All About Me” and “Body.” Interestingly, Fin features just one guest, 6LACK.

• Tracks: 12
• Featured Guests: 6LACK
• Pre-Release Singles: “All About Me” & “Body”

4. CeCe Winans, Let Them Fall in Love

[Pure Springs Gospel]

Contemporary gospel singer CeCe Winans returns with her first album in seven years, Let Them Fall in Love.  Despite the lengthy hiatus, Let Them Fall in Love is comprised of only 10 songs.  Three singles were issues ahead of the album: “Hey Devil!,” “Lowly,” and “Never Have to Be Alone.”

• Tracks: 10
• Pre-Release Singles: “Hey Devil!”, “Lowly” & “Never Have to Be Alone”

5. LeAnn Rimes, Remnants

[Sony Music UK]

LeAnn Rimes returns with Remnants, her first new proper studio effort since 2013 (Spitfire).  Unlike previous albums, Remnants is a considered to be a pop effort.  Interestingly, there isn’t much buzz around the Sony Music UK effort stateside.  Nonetheless, Remnants comprises of 13 tracks, with singles “The Story,” “Long Live Love,” and “How to Kiss a Boy” being issued prior to the album.

• Tracks: 13
• Pre-Release Singles: “The Story,” “Long Live Love,” and “How to Kiss a Boy”

Also Released: Original Broadway Cast, Dear Evan Hansen [Atlantic]; Kari Jobe, The Garden [Sparrow]; Kevin Garrett, False Hope – EP [Kevin Garrett]; Elbow, Little Fictions [Concord]; John Wolf, Say No More – EP [Wolfpak Sound]; Young Dolph, Gelato [Paper Route Empire]; Less Than Jake, Sound the Alarm EP [Pure Noise]; MUNA, About U [RCA]

Photo Credits: Def Jam, Big Machine, Columbia, Pure Springs Gospel, Sony Music UK