It’s the most debated album of the year. It will split opinion right down the middle about whether it should ever see the light of day. And that’s before anyone passes any kind of judgment on whether it’s fit to carry the name of the amazing talent whose legacy it’s supposed to honour. Yep, on December 5, the new Amy Winehouse album is released. But is this what she would have wanted? And what’s the real story behind those secret studio sessions? NME speaks to producers Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi, as well as collaborator and hip-hop legend Nas, to find out.
Also in this issue we catch up with Azealia Banks – officially the coolest person on the planet – to find out how mental her week as been since she was crowned top of the NME Cool List. “You guys are going to be seeing a shitload of Azealia Banks next year!” she tells us. We believe her.
As well as that, voting for next year’s NME Awards opens, with the full details of the first batch of categories and how to vote inside the issue. Can Muse retain the Best British Band trophy? Who’ll win the inaugural Best Fan Community Award? Will Kate Moss make it through the whole ceremony without needing a lie-down? You decide!
Plus we join Noah and The Whale on the set of their weird new video (We’ll give you a clue; it’s got something to do with schoolchildren and peculiar looking bass players), give the official live verdict on Lana Del Rey and reveal Vampire Weekend’s new album plans.
It’s a big week.
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