So 2010 has come and passed, leaving us with a variety of musicians who may be nobodies this year. If Ke$ha and Lady Gaga can keep up their weirdo facades for another year and Lil’ Wayne and T.I. can stay out of prison (whoops, never mind T.I.), maybe 2011 will shine as another great year for the music industry.

We’re tired of hearing the same lyrics from Katy Perry, we’ve listened to Vampire Weekend’s Contra LP so much it has worn down, and we blasted Jay-Z until our neighbors complained. So what do we have to look forward to this year? Here’s a list of the albums that I’m hoping will sing my way through the next semester.

1.Lil’ Wayne- Tha Carter IV
Weezy is finally free and he’s back to the grind of laying verses at a non-stop rate. After appearing on Birdman’s Fire Flame, Wayne dropped his first single from Tha Carter IV, which showed Wayne’s flow never stopped. The song, 6 Foot 7 Foot, is one of the hardest ones he’s done in a while. The song was produced by “A Milli” director, Bangladesh, who exemplifies Wayne’s now-sober voice. The song also features up-and-coming rap sensation Cory Gunz, who gets the last verse of the song. All in all, at the rate that rap music comes out, I’m certain we will at least see a mix tape before the snow disappears.

2. The Lonely Island-TBA
Maybe you don’t take them seriously, but Andy Samberg and gang from SNL sure know how to lay tracks. This will be their follow-up to their debut album, Incredibad. Lonely Island has already released one song from the album called I Just Had Sex, featuring Akon. Now, I’m no Akon fan, but I think he does a better job singing comedic songs than trying to be serious. The song is as childish as it comes, but has a great music video with guest stars Blake Lively, Jessica Alba, and, of course, John McEnroe. More songs will filter through the digital short section of SNL, so keep your TV on past all the dumb sketches.

3. Jay-Z and Kanye West- Watch the Throne
Kanye has taken it upon himself to make new songs at a near constant rate since the end of 2010. After releasing “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” Kanye announced he and HOVA would be making an album together. Last week, track one, H.A.M. was dropped and it gave a good feel of what fans can look forward to on March 1st, the projected album date. Since Jay’s verse on Kanye’s Monster, we have all hoped for more.

4. Death Cab for Cutie- Codes and Keys
My emo side emerges when I listen to Death Cab, but this band is more than that. Ben Gibbard and the band know exactly how to hit every nerve in the musical subconscious. Their last album, Narrow Stairs, showed they are still going strong. The band promises it won’t be as dark as Narrow Stairs, but who knows what direction the music takes them. They are likely to tour with the new album, and who better to play Movin’ On than one of the biggest alternative bands?

5. The Decemberists- The King is Dead
This album actually releases soon, but has already leaked online, as many albums do. The Decemberists are known for their long instrumentals and conceptual albums depicting some of the strangest tales you never heard as a child. This album is supposed to feature some more straightforward songs so you don’t have to listen to the album in its entirety. No matter your tastes, the Decemberists appeal to everyone who likes music from classic folk to modern indie.

Check out more great music on this playlist put together by our staff.

A version of this article was originally published on WPSU Blue Robot.