Foster the People
Sacred Hearts Club
Alternative, EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop, Rock

Mark Foster says he wanted his band’s latest album to give fans a hug. Does this trippy homage to ’60s …

Lana Del Rey
Lust for Life
Alternative, Pop

Lana Del Rey is smiling on the cover of her latest album, an expression that hints at significant shifts in …

Various/Soundtrack
Descendants 2
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop, Rap/Hip-Hop

The soundtrack to this Disney Channel movie surprisingly packs in more problems than the story that inspired it.

Haim
Something to Tell You
Pop, Rock

The second album from this band of three sisters focuses on breakups, breakups and still more breakups. Did I mention …

Brett Eldredge
Brett Eldredge
Country

Romantic lyrics on Brett Eldredge’s fourth album make it easy to see why he’s been dubbed “country’s most eligible bachelor.”

Jay Z
4:44
Rap/Hip-Hop

Jay Z apologizes to his wife for his infidelity and sings the praises of family and fatherhood … using lots …

Imagine Dragons
Evolve
Alternative, EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop, Rock

Imagine Dragons’ third effort plumbs the depths of depression but mostly manages to find a way through that emotional fog.

Lorde
Melodrama
Alternative, EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop

Lorde’s second album finds her vacillating between rage and carnal excess in the wake of a painful breakup.

Katy Perry
Witness
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop

Katy Perry says she wants to sing “purposeful pop” these days. Sometimes on Witness, she does. Other times, not so …

Mandisa
Out of the Dark
Christian/Gospel, Pop, R&B

Mandisa’s latest gives us an intimate glimpse at her hard but redemptive journey through a season of grief and depression.

Linkin Park
One More Light
Alternative, EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop, Rap/Hip-Hop, Rock

Linkin Park’s latest trades anger and angst for humility and maturity. (Well, mostly.)

Harry Styles
Harry Styles
Pop, Rock

Harry Styles’ debut is as melancholy and muted as his former band’s love songs were, at times, earnest and enthusiastic.

Paramore
After Laughter
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop, Rock

Paramore’s latest album wades through loss, heartbreak and bitterness … without ever really turning a hopeful corner.

Chris Stapleton
From A Room: Volume 1
Country, Folk, Rock

Chris Stapleton’s sophomore album doesn’t focus as much on being bad as it does feeling sad.

Various/Soundtrack
13 Reasons Why (A Netflix Original Series Soundtrack)
Alternative

The soundtrack for this controversial Netflix series about teen suicide may in some ways be more problematic than the show …