Four of the Most Highly-Anticipated Albums of 2017

Out with the old, in with the new.

It may only be a week into 2017 but the music machine never stops. Last year gave us new albums from huge pop stars: Kanye West, Beyonce, Rihanna, Frank Ocean, Radiohead, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Ariana Grande and more released new music in 2016.

Expect 2017 to be a quieter year for chart-topping stars. We could see new music from Taylor Swift, Lorde, Katy Perry, and others but nothing is set in stone. Nevertheless, there are still a slew of records to look forward to in the upcoming months; from talented acts that may not dominate the airwaves.

Below find four highly anticipated albums scheduled for a 2017 release. (All but one have confirmed release dates.)

The xx - "I See You" Jan. 13

The xx is one of the best active bands in modern music. The U.K. trio's highly anticipated third album "I See You" is right around the corner and, based on the two singles, the xx is shaking things up.

After changing the game with their incredible self-titled debut in 2009, the xx have stayed in their bubble, turning out minimal pop music that's both quiet and powerful on their second album "Coexist." "On Hold," their first offering from "I See You," finds the group letting loose: In the line of Jamie XX, the xx's producer who has branched off with a solo career, "On Hold" is a straight up dance song, sampling the 1981 hit "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)," by Hall and Oates. On "Say Something Loving," the band samples Alessi Brothers' "Do You Feel It?" turning the song into another uplifting banger. "I See You" is shaping up to sound like the xx's most joyful record.

Sampha - "Process" Feb. 3

Sampha has been quietly prolific in the six years since appearing on the music scene with a remix of the xx's "Basic Space." Since then, the U.K. singer-songwriter has gone on to produce tracks for a number of artists in Britain's dubstep scene, including SBTRKT, Jessie Ware, Katy B and more. After gaining notoriety, Sampha crafted tracks for Drake, FKA twigs and most recently, Kanye West and Solange.

With two EPs under his belt, Sampha is finally taking the big leap with the release of his first full length, "Process," out Feb. 3. So far, he's shared two new songs, both released in 2016. "Timmy's Prayer" is a slow burner with hypnotic synths and Sampha's unique vocals. On "Blood On Me," the singer broods with sharp percussion that is carried by a heavy bass and twisting-piano riff. "Process" will undoubtedly be jam packed with powerful songs with impeccable production.

Jens Lekman - "Life Will See You Now" Feb. 17

Swedish singer-songwriter Jens Lekman is set to release his new album - his first LP since 2012 - on Feb. 17. Judging by the first single "What's That Perfume That You Wear?" the LP, called "Life Will See You Now," Lekman is continuing his one-of-a-kind novelist approach to songwriting. The song also finds Lekman returning to an uplifting tropical sound, similar to his 2011 EP "An Argument With Myself." "What's That Perfume..." features steel drums, heavy dance beats and acoustic guitars.

For his 2015 New Year's resolution, Lekman wrote and released a new song every single week - that's 52 songs. His writing and music muscles have been flexed and "Life Will See You Now" could be his best album since his 2007 magnum opus "Night Falls Over Kortedala."

Chromatics - "Dear Tommy" ???

In December 2014, Chromatics's mastermind Johnny Jewel announced the dark '80s-inspired electro band's new album "Dear Tommy" would be out in time for Valentine's Day 2015. Feb. 14, 2015 came and went - as did more tentative release dates. It is now at the beginning of 2017 and fans are still clamoring for "Dear Tommy."

"Dear Tommy" is supposedly Chromatics's final record; a follow up to the 2012 masterpiece "Kill for Love." Though an album has yet to materialize, the band shared a string of singles (seven out of the 17 tracks, to be exact) in dribs and drabs over the last few years. Most recently, Chromatics dropped the upcoming (?) album's title track: a moody and ethereal number with spooky vocals and dark, rumbling synths.

Jewel, who seems to be more interested in crafting cinematic soundscapes for films, has proven to be a perfectionist and is rarely stratified with his work. It's likely there will be re-workings of the singles already released and "Dear Tommy" may not sound like anything fans have already heard. Either way, it's impossible to know when (or if) "Dear Tommy" will come out this year. But fingers are crossed.