Ariana Grande
Dangerous Woman
Pop, R&B

There’s not even the pretense of narrative here. It’s just Ariana putting herself on display.

Meghan Trainor
No
Pop, R&B

Meghan Trainor’s latest song delivers a blunt rebuff to men who would objectify her … even as its video invites …

Fifth Harmony
Work From Home
Pop, R&B

Fifth Harmony had to change the name of its latest hit to avoid confusion with a recent Rihanna track. And …

The 1975
I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It
Alternative, Pop, Rock

The sophomore album from this rising British alt-pop band is as brutally honest as it is brutally hopeless.

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 …

Lukas Graham
7 Years
Alternative, Pop, R&B

“7 Years” of whiplash, you might say of this Lukas Graham song. Liberal, conservative. Immoral, moral. High and sober.

Zayn
Pillowtalk
Alternative, EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop, R&B

Zayn Malik has shed his association with One Direction. And his first solo hit sheds—and shreds—what few inhibitions his former …

Sia
This Is Acting
Alternative, EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop, R&B

The latest effort from Australia’s most famous wig-wearer zigzags maddeningly between self-respect and self-objectification.

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 …

Rihanna
Work
Pop, Rap/Hip-Hop, Reggae

When Rihanna sings about having too much “work,” she’s really talking about something else entirely.

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 …

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 …