Best Music of 2012 Forecast

Thankfully, we won't have to wait long for new country music in 2012. Kellie Pickler will unveil her latest compilation, '100 Proof,' on Jan. 24. While we've already heard the title track single, her Top 30 hit 'Tough' and a handful of others, we're thrilled to get the full effect of what she has been working on since her self-titled record dropped in 2008. It's been far too long!

In the spring, Faith Hill will release her first new album in seven years (excluding a Christmas release), so it was pretty much a given that the latest from the legendary country singer would make our Best Music of 2012 Forecast. While Hill has remained relatively tight-lipped about the project, rumor on the web is that the album will be called 'Illusion' -- though we can neither confirm nor deny that. What we can say for sure is that it is likely to be good. The first single from the forthcoming record, 'Come Home,' proves that Hill is still very much in touch with what's hot in country these days. And the male voice providing backup on the track sounds just enough like her husband Tim McGraw that we can't help but wonder what duets she might have up her sleeve!

Carrie Underwood snagged one last big win before 2011 quickly turned into 2012: She wrapped the recording of her new album. Though both the album name and release date are still unknown, the project is now under the watchful eye of experienced producer Mark Bright, who has put his mark on her previous three records, so we know it's in good hands. When the news of her soon-to-be fourth album broke in early November, Underwood did confirm one thing -- she'll be "touring like a mad woman" in the new year.

Taylor Swift has promised on many occasions that 2012 will bring a shiny new album, which will follow her endlessly successful 'Speak Now' record. With a stylin' new haircut and a fresh outlook on love, life and letting go, the 22-year-old 'Mean' hitmaker is ready to churn out yet another chart-topper. “With this next album, I’m so excited because I’ve been writing so much," she said in 2011. "We’re still in the first gear of making it, so as we finish songs and demo them in my producer’s basement, I can picture them being played on the stage."

Without a doubt, Tim McGraw's 'Emotional Traffic' album is the most-anticipated release of the year, which is why it tops our short-but-sweet Best Music of 2012 Forecast. It's been a hard battle for the 'Better Than I Used to Be' singer, as he struggled with his former record label for far too long to regain the rights to release his art (which he did at the end of 2011). Finally, the long awaited new collection will be officially released on Jan. 17, and we can hardly contain ourselves. We're on the edge of our seats and tapping our boots!