Paramore
“Ain’t It Fun”
Alternative, Pop, Punk, Rock

Hayley Williams wants us to know just how much fun it is to be a part of something, to have …

Little Mix
Salute
Pop, R&B

The British girl band Little Mix continues to mimic One Direction’s every move—from deluging fans with massive amounts of new …

Switchfoot
Fading West
Alternative, Christian/Gospel, Pop, Rock

Switchfoot’s ninth album, Fading West, also serves as an upbeat soundtrack to the band’s new surfing film. Along the way, …

Shakira
“Can’t Remember to Forget You”
Pop, Reggae, Rock

Call this track a 21st-century take on “Love the One You’re With.” (And the lyrics don’t tell the whole story.)

Justin Bieber
“Journals”
Pop, R&B, Rap/Hip-Hop

Justin Bieber has been releasing a new track every Monday for the last couple of months. Journals collects those melancholy …

Pharrell Williams
“Happy”
Pop, R&B

The one-word title of this upbeat song from the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack tells us almost everything we need to …

Beyoncé
Beyoncé
Pop, R&B

Queen Bey shocked everyone with the surprise release of her fifth album. Will she shock us, too, with what she …

Britney Spears
Britney Jean
Pop

Britney says her eighth album is her most personal. So just how personally do you want to get to know …

Various/Soundtrack
Frozen
Pop, Soundtracks

The Frozen soundtrack is hot. It’s the most popular soundtrack since Titanic’s back in 1998. And an Oscar for Best …

One Direction
Midnight Memories
Pop, Rock

The hit singles! The 3-D concert movie! The international tour! And now the album throngs of tween girls have been …

Justin Bieber
“PYD”
Pop, R&B

Justin Bieber takes a huge step sideways with his music on “PYD,” inviting R. Kelly to help him “put you …

Lady Gaga
ARTPOP
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop

Lady Gaga’s ARTPOP is monstrously mistitled. (And that’s not the only thing wrong with it.)

Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne
Pop, Rock

Avril’s edging inexorably toward 30, but her fifth album is nevertheless a disappointing case study in juvenile rock ‘n’ roll …

A Great Big World
“Say Something”
Pop

Christina Aguilera lends her voice to A Great Big World’s heartrending and beautifully understated plea not to let love end.

One Direction
“Story of My Life”
Folk, Pop

In a surprisingly moving bid for total pop domination, the One Direction lads tear a page out of Mumford & …