Taylor Swift
1989
Pop

“Haters gonna hate, hate, hate,” sings Ms. Swift. And, yeah, we’ll probably end up in that column for our review …

Taylor Swift
“Blank Space”
Pop

Ms. Swift brags that she’s got “a long list of ex-lovers” on which there’s still “Blank Space” for a lot …

Meghan Trainor
“Lips Are Movin”
Pop

“Lips Are Movin” pairs ’50s-approved doo-wop harmonies with lyrics that almost could have fit that decade as well. But what …

Tove Lo
“Habits (Stay High)”
Pop

Forget about Roxette. Sweden’s latest pop sensation is now dressed for success—but still a long, long way from ABBA.

Ariana Grande
“Love Me Harder”
Pop, R&B

When Ariana Grande asks her man to “love me harder,” what exactly is she asking for? More security or deep …

Lorde
“Yellow Flicker Beat”
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop, Soundtracks

Lorde has been tapped not only to contribute to The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 soundtrack, but to serve …

One Direction
“Steal My Girl”
Pop

The only things missing from One Direction’s ’80s-esque, piano-filled ballad about loving faithfully are Journey’s Steve Perry and Neil Schon.

Ed Sheeran
“Thinking Out Loud”
Pop, R&B

“Thinking Out Loud” finds Ed Sheeran describing what “for better, for worse” might look like over a decades-long romance—as the …

Elle King
Ex’s & Oh’s
Alternative, Jazz/Swing/Blues, Pop, Rock

Myriad male musicians have objectified women over the years. Elle King, sounding a lot like Meghan Trainor’s naughty sister, turns …

OneRepublic
“I Lived”
Pop, Rock

A vision of hope and perseverance that’s consistent with God’s promise of abundance radiates out from OneRepublic’s “I Lived,” a …

Jennifer Lopez
“Booty”
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop

Jennifer Lopez? Singing about how big and bad her backside is? Really?

For King & Country
Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong.
Pop, Rock

Rebecca St. James’ “little” brothers are now stepping to the front of the mainstream stage with their polished pop-rock, faith-filled …

Walk the Moon
“Shut Up and Dance”
Pop, Rock

Walk the Moon’s first big hit is an infectious, superficial, pop-rock love letter to the 1980s. Period.

Fall Out Boy
“Centuries”
Alternative, Pop, Punk, Rock

Is this an inspirational song for the ages? Or does it get mired by a single dark moment in time? …

Meghan Trainor
Title
Pop

UPDATED REVIEW: Meghan Trainor was one of the breakout stars of 2014. Now she’s transformed her four-song EP into a …