DAVID BENNUN, CHIEF MUSIC CRITIC

Solange’s as yet untitled follow-up to A Seat At The Table

Solange’s surprise triumph of 2016 was a neo-soul powder keg on a slow fuse. Of its delayed successor, she has said, ‘I want it to bang and make your trunk rattle’. Sounds like a compelling change of direction — expect it to drop suddenly for maximum impact. Otherwise, we can’t wait for the next big release from LCD Soundsystem, who have thus far existed on record chiefly as the near-one-man-band of James Murphy (pictured).

They have finally brought their exhilarating full line-up into the studio for a live album, Electric Lady Sessions, due, with any luck, by spring. And one of my favourite young artists, the gothy, charismatic Fable, who disappeared from the scene after suffering a severe personal trauma, will be back performing in 2019. Perhaps somebody will have the good sense to sign her this time around.

KEITH WATSON, CHIEF TV CRITIC

Good Omens and Fleabag series 2

The omens are looking mighty good for Good Omens, Amazon Prime’s eagerly anticipated adaptation of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s 1990 novel of the same name.

For starters, Gaiman is on board as showrunner, while the early trailer, featuring David Tennant and Michael Sheen acting their socks off as the demon Crowley and the angel Aziraphale, feels true to the blackly comic spirit of the original. You want plot? The apocalypse is nigh and warring sides must settle differences and unite to prevent oblivion — so it’s pretty timely. You want more cast? There’s Jon Hamm, Anna Maxwell Martin, Nick Offerman (Parks And Recreation) and Frances McDormand as the Voice of God. There’s no date yet — we’re waiting for Amazon to hand it down on a tablet. A stone one, obviously.

And fair play to Phoebe Waller-Bridge (pictured) for making a second series of her brilliant, career-making black comedy — any follow-up obviously risks second album syndrome. But we’re excited to catch up with the messed-up Fleabag, played by PWB herself, and slightly hate ourselves for hoping her life is still a complete train wreck. It’s due on BBC3 in 2019 (date to be confirmed).

LARUSKA IVAN-ZADEH, CHIEF FILM CRITIC

Captain Marvel

On March 8, the Marvel Cinematic Universe will come of age with a 21st movie that finally puts a superlady as the sole hero of its title. Set in 1995, ie a time before Iron Man, it is the origin story of Captain Marvel, who (geek fact alert!) first appeared in a comic book back in 1968.

Academy Award winner Brie Larson (Room) makes for classy casting as Carol Danvers, an ex-US Air Force fighter pilot who, according to the trailer, crash-lands into a Blockbusters Video store and transforms into Captain Marvel. I think. It’s hard to tell, given everything about the MCU is so highly secret squirrel and heavily speculated.

However, the official info tells us she joins Starforce, an elite Kree military unit (the Kree being a technologically advanced alien race, native to the Planet Hala — keep up!) before returning home when Earth is caught up in a galactic conflict.

Massively anticipated (even by superhero movie standards), Captain Marvel was first announced five years ago so it’s not just jumping on the Time’s Up/#MeToo bandwagon. Co-directed by Anna Boden, it’s co-written by a huge team of largely female writers too. Well done, Marvel.