Bruce Springsteen will offer his first album since 2009’s “Working On a Dream,” and his first since the passing of saxophonist Clarence Clemons this summer. No release date is set on the album, which was rumored to have been produced by Ron Aniello, but we’re hearing that it will certainly be out before Springsteen & The E Street Band hit the road in early May, and possibly before The Boss keynotes at South By Southwest in March.

Meanwhile, Paul McCartney is looking backwards on his next set, out Feb. 7 and co-produced by Diana Krall and Tommy LiPuma. The still-untitled album will feature two originals (including “My Valentine” with Eric Clapton), as well as a slew of covers from the 1920s through the 1940s.

U2 is not content to rest on its considerable bank assets after setting the record for top-grossing tour of all time with 2010-2011’s 360 (degree circle if you know how to make it) tour. Next year could bring a new album, although its arrival is from certain. The Edge tells Rolling Stone, it’s “quite likely” the quartet will put out new music, with Bono chirping, “We have so many [new] songs, some of our best.” In the meantime, entertain yourself with other acts interpreting their favorite U2 “Achtung Baby” songs on Q Mag’s cover album, “AHK-toong BAY-bi.”