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 …

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 …

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 …

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

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

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.