From Lewis Capaldi to Olivia Rodrigo: The latest news on the sophomore albums we're excited for

Virgin Radio

17 Aug 2022, 09:25

We’re seriously excited for these next records to drop!

Sometimes a debut record just whets the appetite for a new artist, and it’s the sophomore attempt that really cements their star power. 

All eyes are on artists like Lewis Capaldi, Tom Walker and Inhaler, who are all set to bring out some fresh new music after a stellar first album, but what is the latest on those second albums? We’ve got a rundown for you….

Dermot Kennedy

Good news for Dermot fans, the Outnumbered singer is back with his sophomore project, called Sonder.

The new record will be the follow-up to 2019’s Without Fear, which landed at number one on the UK and Irish album charts. 

In a statement announcing the news, Dermot explained the meaning behind the album’s title, and the inspiration behind the fresh music. 

He said: “The meaning behind ‘Sonder’ has resonated with me so much for years. I exist in an industry where we’re encouraged to constantly only think about ourselves and I find that exhausting and uninspiring. 

“I want to learn about you. Let us share all of our triumphs, all of our troubles. Let this music belong to all of us, to find our own stories and our own solace within it.”

Sonder was first meant to hit shelves on 23rd September, but Dermot recently announced via social media that the release has been pushed back until 4th November. 

Tom Walker

Soulful singer Tom Walker might not yet have a title for his second album, but his next musical outing is definitely on the way!

The Leave The Light On singer is busy beavering away writing his follow-up to 2019’s What A Time To Be Alive, which landed straight at the number one spot. 

While chatting to virginradio.co.uk at the Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Awards, where he picked up the Best Male prize, Tom gave an update on how writing the new record is going, and why he’s had to return to the drawing board recently. 

He explained: “I feel like I've been on a really good writing streak recently. There's a lot of stuff that I thought I had done, about a year ago, that I've kind of binned recently, because I've just been on a bit of a new wave with writing. It's been really exciting.”

On when the sophomore album might hit shelves, Tom played it pretty coy, but did share that it will probably be at the end of this year. 

“I'm just enjoying writing at the moment and try not to overthink what I need to get out and when,” Tom added. 

“In the new modern day, you can turn around a song and put it out in three days on Spotify. You don't need to worry about when the album is coming. It'll happen when it happens, but soon.”

Lewis Capaldi

Potentially the most highly-anticipated second record on this list, Lewis Capaldi is keeping fans guessing on when they might hear new music from him. 

When he’s not too busy surprising fans in an impromptu busking session with Niall Horan, Lewis is on the festival circuit, playing his hits to audiences at the likes of Latitude and TRNSMT.

But when will that second album come out, and what is it called? Well, we still don’t know either of those details, but one thing is for sure, the hilarious Scot is definitely back in the studio. 

Back in March, Lewis confirmed he would put a halt on live shows so he could concentrate on his next album, with musicians such as Snow Patrols’ Johnny McDaid and Bastille’s Dan Smith helping him along the way. 

In January, the Before You Go hitmaker hinted that things were “getting a bit more shape” and he “can’t wait to get the songs out now.”

Inhaler

Irish band Inhaler set the charts alight with their debut album, It Won’t Always Be Like This, back in July 2021, so fans are more than ready for the follow-up. 

They became the first Irish band in 13 years to have a number one debut LP, after The Script did the same in 2008.

Inhaler have just released new single These Are The Days, so it’s safe to assume there’s even more new music to go alongside it. 

In February, the Dubliners confirmed they were working on album number two with a behind-the scenes clip which featured all members of the band playing their respective instruments. 

We’re still without a name or release date, so watch this space! 

Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigro released her chart-topping debut, Sour, in May 2021, which included her mega-hit Drivers License.

Since then, she’s been busy surprising fans with covers of nostalgic hits alongside the likes of Natalie Imbruglia and Alanis Morrisette while on the road touring, so fans are eager to find out when a second attempt at a number one record will be made.

Not much is known about Olivia’s next album, other than it will likely have a “happier” feel that her first outing. She told Clash: “Tastes are always changing, and…that will be reflected in the next album.”

While we don’t know it yet, Olivia did confirm to Billboard that she has a title ready, but she’s not going to let the pressure of a sophomore album get to her.

She told the publication: “It's really exciting to think about the next world that's coming up for me. I just love writing songs. I'm trying not to put too much pressure on myself. [I want to] just sort of explore and have fun right now."

Since then, Olivia was seen working with producer and collaborator Dan Nigro in the studio, so we might not be that far away from a new release!

Rina Sawayama

Virgin Radio Pride favourite Rina Sawayama is further down the line when it comes to putting her second album out. 

Hold The Girl will follow on from debut, Sawayama, released in April 2020, which received widespread critical acclaim for its wide variety of musical genres. 

Rina has cited the likes of Kelly Clarkson, The Corrs, Paramore and Taylor Swift’s Folklore as big inspirations for her next project, so it seems lots of sounds will come together yet again. 

On what’s inspired the upcoming release, Rina told NME: “I’ve been listening to a lot of Garbage, prog rock, grunge, a lot early ’00s Britpop, ‘Sound Of The Underground’ by Girls Aloud, a lot of the Xenomania stuff, and even ’90s rave as well. Plus garage and stadium rock – everything!”

Which sophomore album are you most excited to listen to?