Kacey Musgraves
Golden Hour
Country

Kacey Musgraves’ third effort brims with positivity and only plows over a couple of content bumps along the way.

George Ezra
Staying at Tamara’s
Alternative, Folk, Pop

As musical escapes go, this one gets a mixed review.

Scotty McCreery
Seasons Change
Country

Scotty McCreery’s latest delivers another dose of his baritone country earnestness—and nods to tipping back a brew or two.

Three Days Grace
Outsider
Alternative, Metal, Rock

Light and dark swirl on this Canadian rock act’s latest effort … with darkness perhaps claiming the last word.

Vance Joy
Nation of Two
Alternative, Folk, Pop

This up-and-coming Australian indie artist majors in sweet sentiments and dabbles in some mild sensuality as well.

Various/Soundtrack
Black Panther: The Album (Music From and Inspired By)
R&B, Rap/Hip-Hop

This soundtrack’s admirable cry for justice, love and equality competes with explicit lyrics filled with sex, drugs and violence.

Various/Soundtrack
Fifty Shades Freed (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop, R&B

Tender love songs are in the minority on a soundtrack that more often mirrors the R-rated content of the film …

Justin Timberlake
Man of the Woods
Country, EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop, R&B, Rock

J.T.’s latest touches on fatherhood, marriage and fidelity while dancing with questionable language and sexually explicit lyrics.

Fall Out Boy
Mania
Pop, Rock

Fall Out Boy returns with an album that blends styles—and one that blends hopeful moments with profanely despairing ones.

Camila Cabello
Camila
Pop

Former Fifth Harmony singer Camila Cabello hasn’t left many emotional details out of this vulnerable, at times sensual debut.

Charli XCX
POP 2
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop, Rap/Hip-Hop

Charli XCX’s latest mixtape chronicles the ups and downs of living life in the fast lane.

Eminem
Revival
Rap/Hip-Hop

Eminem has always been known for his controversial, graphic lyrics. Revival is no exception.

Various/Soundtrack
The Greatest Showman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Soundtracks

This soundtrack majors in redemptive, empowering messages, with only a few navigable bumps along the way.

Luke Bryan
What Makes You Country
Country

Luke Bryan hopes his boys pick up some of his better habits. But they’ll have to avoid some of his …

U2
Songs of Experience
Rock

Bono and Co.’s 14th effort brims with paradox as this iconic Irish band both confronts and comforts our confusing culture.