With 2018 well underway, we take a look at what pop music has in store for the rest of the year.

Judging by February’s Grammy awards, 2017 was a big year for hip-hop and R&B. As we’ve discussed in our article on how these genres conquered the mainstream, this trend is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be any straightforward pop music released this year. In fact, there are a number of exciting projects that we should all mark our calendars for.

Daphne & Celeste’s new studio album

Pop duo Daphne & Celeste’s music was once so ubiquitous that millions of us could do nothing to get their catchy refrains out of our heads. This year, the singers are geared up to release a full studio album, collaborating with indie pop auteur Max Tundra. Our Daphne & Celeste interview revealed a little more about the album earlier this year, but rest assured it will be a very different beast to the duo’s last release.

Dyo’s next release

NEIKID and Dyo’s summer hit ‘Sexual’ may well have been 2017’s song of the year. Combine that with a Live Lounge appearance, and songwriting work for Fifth Harmony and Maroon 5 and Dyo had a busy year indeed. She has no strict plans in the pipeline, but Dyo’s social media presence reveals she is frequently in the studio. Whatever she’s working on is bound to be big.

Ariana Grande’s next album

After 2016’s colossal Dangerous Woman, Ariana Grande was at the centre of one of 2017’s biggest tragedies. She handled the Manchester Arena bombing in the best possible way, paying tribute to the victims with a benefit concert which raised over £10 million for them and their families. She’s been hinting at a new album on Instagram recently. Whether it addresses last year’s tragedy or not, we know she’ll have a lot to say.

Britney Spears’ Piece of Me Tour

Coming off the back of a four-year, 250-show residency at Las Vegas’ Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Britney Spears is taking her Piece of Me show on the road. Announced as the surprise headliner of Brighton Pride, Britney quickly released several European and US tour dates for summer 2018. The tour began last year in Asia, and judging by fan reception, it will be an event to remember.

Taylor Swift’s Reputation Tour

After releasing the record-breaking Reputation album at the tail end of last year, Taylor Swift is gearing up for what could be her biggest ever tour. With stadium dates lined up around the world, and support coming from Charli XCX and Camila Cabello, the tour has already sold millions of tickets, in keeping with Swift’s reputation as the biggest-selling artist of her era.

Carly Rae Jepsen’s follow-up to Emotion

Emotion was the studio album that proved there was more to Carly Rae Jepsen than mega-hit single ‘Call Me Maybe’. New hits like ‘I Really Like You’ showed she had more pop classics in her, but it was the album’s perfectionist sheen and sheer escapism that made it appeal to critics and fans alike. It was a pop album even ardent indie hipsters could jam with. Needless to say, the music world has been waiting for a follow-up. And if last year’s single ‘Cut to the Feeling’ is anything to go by, it’s going to be big.

Anything Luis Fonsi does

When you think of 2017, you have to think of ‘Despacito’. It was utterly inescapable wherever you went in the world. No song in recent memory has reached that level of success. Now ‘Despacito’ has turned him into a bona fide superstar, Luis Fonsi has the whole world watching his next move. The singer has already released new music since his biggest hit, including a collaboration with Demi Lovato. Pop fans need to be ready for whatever he has lined up this year.