Tori Kelly
Unbreakable Smile
Pop, R&B

A small handful of suggestive lyrics curl down the edges of this Smile a bit. But Tori Kelly’s effervescent winsomeness …

Rihanna
Anti
Alternative, Pop, R&B, Rap/Hip-Hop, Rock

Rihanna may be living life completely on her own terms, but beneath all the carnal bravado, it’s pretty clear she’s …

Lecrae
Church Clothes 3
Christian/Gospel, Rap/Hip-Hop

Lecrae’s third “mixtape” delivers another hard-hitting dose of faith-filled yet pull-no-punches commentary on contemporary culture.

Panic! at the Disco
Death of a Bachelor
Alternative, Jazz/Swing/Blues, Pop, Rock

Panic! at the Disco’s sole remaining band member says marriage has made him a changed man. It’s a claim this …

David Bowie
Blackstar
Alternative, Jazz/Swing/Blues, Rock

David Bowie’s final album, released just three days before his death from cancer, strives to turn even that final event …

Rachel Platten
Wildfire
Pop

Rachel Platten’s 2015 hit “Fight Song” was one of Plugged In’s favorite tunes last year—which raises the stakes for the …

Prince
HITnRUN: Phase One/Phase Two
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop, Punk, R&B, Rap/Hip-Hop, Rock

Prince’s final two albums find him as enchanted with sensuality as he was when his controversial career began nearly four …

Troye Sivan
Blue Neighbourhood
Alternative, EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop

The lyrics dispel any ambiguity about who it is Troye Sivan finds affection for.

Coldplay
A Head Full of Dreams
Alternative, Pop, Rock

One reviewer wrote, “A Head Full Of Dreams comes off like that one friend of yours who’s so positive you …

Adele
25
Jazz/Swing/Blues, Pop

Adele’s record-breaking, tear-jerking third album majors in mournful melancholy as she once again unpacks her disastrous romantic baggage.

One Direction
Made in the A.M.
Pop, Rock

Throughout this band’s meteoric rise (and fall), you never have to wait long before sweetness gets sullied by reckless sexual …

Justin Bieber
Purpose
EDM/Electronica/Techno, R&B

Justin Bieber is at least trying to grow up—even if he’d be the first to say (and we’d have to …

Carrie Underwood
Storyteller
Country

Why is this happily married wife, mother and country icon telling tales of crime, murder and rebellious renegades? Read on.

5 Seconds of Summer
Sounds Good Feels Good
Pop, Punk, Rock

This stuff is at least less spotty than the Mrs. Robinson-like fantasies 5 Seconds of Summer was indulging just a …

Demi Lovato
Confident
Pop, R&B, Rap/Hip-Hop

Demi Lovato is brimming with self-confidence these days. Sometimes that’s a good thing … and sometimes it’s not.