From former boybanders to legends, it's a big month for pop releases

Instead of kicking off the new year with a bang, how about starting it with a pop?

January sees several high-profile pop artists release albums – and we've picked five of the biggest, brightest and best of them to highlight below.

Selena Gomez – Rare (January 10th)

Gomez has called this, her third album, her 'diary' from the last few years – so we can expect to hear some personal songs this time around. Lead single 'Lose You to Love Me' was allegedly about her former beau, Justin Bieber, while 'Look at Her Now' was a celebration of her newfound inner strength.

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Kesha – High Road (January 10th)

To say that Kesha has been through the mill in recent years is an understatement. But if 2017's 'Rainbow' was all about recentering her life and self-empowerment in the face of injustice, her fourth album sees her regain her sense of fun. There's everything from dance-pop anthems to collaborations with country star Sturgill Simpson and Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson on here.

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Halsey – Manic (January 17th)

The third album by the young American star features a guest appearance by none other than Alanis Morissette - who appears on the track 'Alanis' Interlude'. With Suga of K-Pop band BTS also making an appearance, it's shaping up to be Halsey's most eclectic release to date. Or, in her own words, it's “hip-hop, rock, country, fucking everything — because it’s so manic.”

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Pet Shop Boys – Hotspot (January 24th)

The legendary pop duo of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe return with their 14th studio album – and the third and final installment in their recent trilogy of releases. Stuart Price once again returns on production duties, while Years & Years joined the synthpop stalwarts on the album's lead single 'Dreamland'. We can't wait to hear more.

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Louis Tomlinson – Walls (January 31st)

They're all at it. Following the recent releases of his former bandmates Liam Payne and Harry Styles, former One Directioner Louis Tomlinson is finally ready for his own solo debut. If you've heard any of his many single releases to date, it's unlikely that the album will veer away from the EDM-tinged electropop he's put out so far.