Pop, reggae, R&B, ballad, funk and their fusions have made 2015 one wonderful mixtape. This year, what’s more thrilling than new releases is the thought that we are finally going to get hold of the albums that we have been waiting for all these time:

5) Sia – This Is Acting (Release: Jan. 29)

In 2014, she made us all want to swing from the “Chandelier.” After the success of her album, “1000 Forms of Fear,” everyone is wondering what Sia’s going to offer next. But the wait will be over this 29th as her 7th studio album is set for release.

The new album is called “This is Acting” as the songs in it are more of the voices of other people rather than Sia’s. “Alive,” a single from the album, for instance, was originally presented to superstars Adele and Rihanna. Initially offered to other artists, such songs may technically be rejects, but with Sia’s powerful vocals, expect “This is Acting” to be another award-winning and chart-topping album.

4) Macklemore and Ryan Lewis – This Unruly Mess I’ve Made (Release: Feb. 26)

Who did not dance to “Thrift Shop,” teared up to “Same Love,” jumped up and down to “Can’t Hold Us”? Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ album “The Heist” soared to the top of charts, earned the duo 4 Grammy awards and boosted them for world tours. And after years of waiting for another gift of refreshing and relevant music, they teased us with “Downtown” and gave another tearjerker with “Kevin.”

Finally, these hip-hop breakthrough artists announced the release of their newest album “The Unruly Mess I’ve Made” on February 26. With the recent release of the single “White Privilege II,” now we can truly feel that the long wait is over.

3) Drake – Views From the 6 (Release: TBA)

Releasing best-selling and chart-topping mixtapes and viral songs and music videos, we have therefore heard and seen much of Drake in 2015. “If You’re Reading This It’s too Late” sold more than a million copies and even got him a Grammy nomination. His collaboration with Future, “What a Time to Be Alive” sold half a million and topped the Billboard charts. “Hotline Bling” was one massive hit.

These made the almost three-year long wait a little less agonizing. Yet, without a specific date of release, we can only hope that this year will finally be the year Drake releases “Views from the 6.”

2) Rihanna – Anti (Release: TBA)

Previously identified as R8 but now officially titled Anti; said to be released on Black Friday (Nov. 27) then rumored to be in December; we’re nearing the end of January and we haven’t heard anything definite from Rihanna yet. To be fair, we have not miss much of Riri thanks to “B*tch Better Have My Money” and “American Oxygen,” as well as “FourFiveSeconds” with Kanye West and Paul McCartney. Her recent partnerships with some brands have been helping us get glimpses of the songstress’ new music as well – a teaser for “Only If for a Night” has been included in an ad for Dior Secret Garden while a series of teasers for not just her album but her tour, too. And, just yesterday, RiRi tweeted a selfie with the caption “listening to Anti.” Is this really it?

1) Kanye West – SWISH (Release: Feb 11)

It is almost 3 years now when Kanye West last released an album. As he dropped the songs “Only One,” “FourFiveSeconds” and “All Day” over time, everyone thought his eighth album, previously titled “So Help Me God,” would be released in 2015 until Yeezy tweeted on December 12: “No offense to anyone… I’m asking everyone DON’T ASK ME FOR ANYTHING TILL AFTER I’M FINISHED WITH MY ALBUM.” But in a more recent tweet, on January 25, he just shared a picture of a handwritten list of songs included in his album now titled “SWISH.” So there, you may now expect the “best album of all time” to explode on February 11.

These are just five of the most anticipated albums of 2016. For more songs from other artists you have been longing for, including the late David Bowie’s final album “Blackstar”. Listen to V81 Radio’s All Hits Weekend for billboard hits plus the newest albums of 2016 and more.