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 …

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 …

Justin Bieber
Sorry
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop

“I don’t do too well with apologies,” Justin Bieber sings on “Sorry.” And the song’s video puts a randy exclamation …

Adele
Hello
Jazz/Swing/Blues, Pop

Adele returns after a four-year absence, again riding an emotional freight train of heartbreak, the very kind that made her …

Gwen Stefani
Used to Love You
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop

Gwen Stefani unleashes a completely understandable—and inversely inspirational—lament.

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.

Fall Out Boy
Irresistible
Alternative, Pop, Punk, Rock

Demi Lovato joins Fall Out Boy on a song “inspired” by one of the most toxic and volatile romances in …

Pentatonix
Pentatonix
Pop, R&B

The first original album from the popular a cappella act Pentatonix blends inspirational messages with … less than inspirational ones.

Selena Gomez
Revival
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop, R&B

Selena Gomez “felt it was time to transition to a more adult artist,” says Interscope Records. Which is, of course, …

Sia
Alive
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop

Fierce determination and melancholy isolation clash in the musical mind of Australian singer Sia.

One Direction
“Infinity”
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop

One Direction ponders the seemingly infinite emotional pain of losing somebody we love. So is it a girlfriend … or …

Lana Del Rey
Honeymoon
Alternative, Pop, Rock

Leave it to noir diva Lana Del Rey to take one of life’s most joyous moments—a honeymoon—and drain the brightness …

Ellie Goulding
On My Mind
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop

British electropop chanteuse Ellie Goulding tries to ride herd on her own heart—and doesn’t quite learn the right lesson in …

Selena Gomez
Same Old Love
Pop

Selena Gomez unloads a dump truck full of frustration and hardheartedness. But precious little in the way of genuine hope …