Putting together a list of the 10 most anticipated albums of 2015 is almost as difficult as picking that will make next year’s football playoffs. Some big albums have already been scheduled and titled. Those are easiest picks, but how do you weigh a half-leaked, half-released Madonna album with a Kanye West record that hasn’t been officially announced? Then there are the albums musicians have teased on YouTube or spoken about in interviews, but are far from sure things. Top that off with dozens of acts that have confirmed they are currently in the studio, but haven’t set deadlines or confirmed dates, and you’re left rolling the dice.

Double down and place your bets.

Mark Ronson — Uptown Special (Jan. 13)

The successful British producer and songwriter has been working on the follow-up to his 2010 breakthrough Record Collection since 2013. The album was co-written and co-produced with Jeff Bhasker (Kanye West, Drake, Alicia Keys) and will feature the type of musical genre-bending for which Ronson is known. The first single, “Uptown Funk,” features Bruno Mars, sounds like a masterful blend of horn-fueled James Brown euphoria and beat-driven Michael Jackson-inspired pop, and is already a massive hit. Stevie Wonder, Mystikal, and Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker also appear on the album, suggesting that Uptown Special will keep Ronson in the public eye throughout the year.

Imagine Dragons — Smoke and Mirrors (Feb. 17)

The pressure is on for the Las Vegas alt-rock quartet to match the success of its 2012 full-length debut, Night Visions — which may be why the group facetiously named its upcoming second album Smoke and Mirrors. Judging from the first single, “I Bet My Life,” which came out in October, the band still has plenty to offer. The song sounds like a more contemporary Paul Simon saturated with gospel backing vocals. Regardless of what this suggests, in recent interviews the band members have stated that the album will be more rock-oriented than its rap-influenced predecessor. Rock on, Imagine Dragons, rock on.

Kid Rock — First Kiss (Feb. 24)

The follow-up to 2012’s Rebel Soul, First Kiss will feature nine songs, two of which were co-written by noted producer Dann Huff. Kid Rock self-produced the record — his 10th studio offering — in his Michigan studio and started working on it after wrapping up his $20 Best Night Ever tour. The first single for the album is the title track, a song about childhood innocence which includes the lyrics “I remember waiting for the school bus/Jenny Clayton was my first crush/And neither one of us had a clue/An old Cheyenne it was my first truck.” Kinda makes us think of John Mellencamp’s “Jack and Diane” without even hearing it. Other song titles: “Good Times, Cheap Wine,” “Ain’t Enough Whiskey,” and “Drinking Beer With Dad.” Seems like Rock is either drinking to remember or gunning for booze commercial placements.

Madonna — Rebel Heart (March 10)

When it comes to duality, Madonna has never backed off from expressing herself, whether dealing with themes of religion and sin, injustice, and hope or spirituality and decadence. On her 13th studio album, she addresses subversion and misanthropy as well as love and redemption. The music features elements of house, EDM, gospel, and pop and guest producers include Kanye West, Diplo and Avicii. Co-writers include Alicia Keys, Avicii, and Thomas Wesley Pentz, and Nicki Minaj performs a guest rap on “Bitch, I’m Madonna.” Six of the album’s tracks, including the Nicki duet, have already been released as an EP, as a reaction to Madonna’s unfinished music being leaked. But barring another surprise release, fans will have to wait till March to hear the whole thing.

Faith No More — TITLE TBA (Spring)

When a band that was already sonically schizophrenic prepares to release its first album since 1997, it’s next to impossible to guess what the music is going to sound like. But one thing’s for sure. Fans have been eagerly anticipating a new Faith No More album since the group reunited in 2009 to start touring again. So far, they’ve released one song, “Motherf---er,” an odd number that sounds vaguely like a cross between early Flaming Lips, Butthole Surfers, and Puscifer. While the album probably won’t appeal to Godsmack fans, those with more adventurous tastes should start salivating now.