Lady Gaga
“Telephone”
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop

Just when you think Lady Gaga can’t top herself, she finds a way. But it never seems to be in …

Taylor Swift
“Today Was a Fairytale”
Country, Pop

The last year of this country phenomenon’s life—leading up to the 2010 Grammy Awards—has been a fairy tale. So it’s …

Ke$ha
Animal
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop

With her aptly named debut album, Animal, Ke$ha’s on top of the music world. What put her there? Her primal …

The Black Eyed Peas
“Imma Be”
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop, Rap/Hip-Hop

Can anything stop the Black Eyed Peas? The electro-pop juggernaut’s latest pulsating, chart-topping ode to instant gratification indicates that the …

Alicia Keys
The Element of Freedom
Pop, R&B

Alicia’s fourth studio album brims with determination when it comes to finding love. Sometimes, though, she gives away everything before …

OneRepublic
Waking Up
Pop, Rock

From Colorado Springs, Colo., in 2007, came a song that, by way of Timbaland, became Top 40 radio’s biggest hit …

Timbaland
“Carry Out”
Pop, R&B

Did somebody just yell timber!? Better move out of the way: Timbaland and Timberlake are back with another sophomorically sexual …

Lady Gaga
The Fame Monster
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop

After cutting her teeth in NYC nightclubs, the now superstar Lady Gaga is trying to “out Madonna” Madonna on the …

Adam Lambert
For Your Entertainment
Pop, Rock

If American Idol didn’t make Adam Lambert a household name. His S&M-infused performance at the American Music Awards did. So …

Susan Boyle
I Dreamed a Dream
Christian/Gospel, Pop

Scottish singing phenomenon Susan Boyle parlays massive YouTube exposure into one of the biggest music stories of 2009 with her …

Rihanna
Rated R
Pop, R&B, Rap/Hip-Hop, Rock

Rihanna blends rage, sex and profanity on a disc that bears a title honestly indicative of its deliberately edgy, angry …

Casting Crowns
Until the Whole World Hears
Christian/Gospel, Pop, Rock

With its new album certified gold in just four weeks, Casting Crowns isn’t just one of the most popular Christian …

Justin Bieber
My World
Pop

On the surface, this teen’s sugary pop seems almost Disney-esque. But a closer listen suggests that the 15-year-old Web sensation …

Kris Allen
Kris Allen
Pop, Rock

American Idol’s Season 8 champ debuts with a mostly positive (but a little underwhelming) collection of love songs that more …

Leona Lewis
Echo
Pop, R&B

There was a lot to like about Leona Lewis’ first album, Spirit, in 2007. Does her second studio album, Echo, …