Dream Theater
Distance Over Time
Metal, Rock

Dream Theater’s 14th dose of prog-metal virtuosity ponders profound questions and mostly proffers positive answers.

Avril Lavigne
Head Above Water
Alternative, Pop, Punk, Rock

After a desperate season, Avril Lavigne’s latest finds her reaching out to God … and spending time in bed with …

Ariana Grande
thank u, next
Pop, R&B

Nearly every song on Ariana Grande’s second album in six months is explicit, in both language and content.

Backstreet Boys
DNA
Pop

The Backstreet Boys’ chart-topping comeback album bounces between love and lust, maturity and immaturity.

Switchfoot
Native Tongue
Alternative, Christian/Gospel, Rock

Switchfoot returns with a powerful reminder of how love and forgiveness overcome division and distrust.

Maggie Rogers
Heard It in a Past Life
Alternative, EDM/Electronica/Techno, Folk, Pop

Maggie Rogers’ owes her big break to Pharrell Williams. But her voice makes it obvious why she got noticed.

21 Savage
I Am > I Was
Rap/Hip-Hop

This rising rapper has a hard backstory packed with some poignant lessons … and wall-to-wall explicit content.

Meek Mill
Championships
Rap/Hip-Hop

For all that Meek Mill gets right, his latest explicit effort still very much warrants the Parental Advisory sticker on …

Alessia Cara
The Pains of Growing
Pop

Growing up, and breaking up, can both be hard to do—lessons Alessia Cara sings about on her sophomore effort.

Mumford & Sons
Delta
Alternative, EDM/Electronica/Techno, Folk, Pop, Rock

Mumford & Sons’ latest, by the band’s own admission, deals with the “four Ds”: death, divorce, drugs and depression.

Michael Bublé
Love
Jazz/Swing/Blues

Michael Bublé’s first new music since his son was diagnosed with cancer bubbles over with love and affection.

Imagine Dragons
Origins
Alternative, EDM/Electronica/Techno, Folk, Pop, Rock

Imagine Dragons returns with another paradox-filled journey through the messy intersection of grief and hope.

Kane Brown
Experiment
Country, Pop, R&B

Kane Brown’s sound pushes country’s sonic boundaries. His messages? A more familiar mix of positive and problematic.

Greta Van Fleet
Anthem of the Peaceful Army
Rock

The debut album from these four Zeppelin disciples dabbles in sensuality but more frequently ponders philosophical questions.

Twenty One Pilots
Trench
Alternative, EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop, Rap/Hip-Hop, Rock

The latest from Twenty One Pilots once again explores the in-between spaces between determination and despair.