Michael Jackson
“This Is It”
Pop

Michael Jackson’s first single since his passing is a mostly sweet ballad (with a tinge of sexuality). But the song …

Mariah Carey
Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel
Pop, R&B

Mariah Carey may be waxing eloquent about the joys of married life in the interviews she gives. But broken romances …

Selena Gomez & The Scene
Kiss & Tell
Pop, Rock

This debut disc from Disney’s 17-year-old Wizards of Waverly Place star spends a lot of time mourning lost love and …

Paramore
brand new eyes
Pop, Punk, Rock

This pop-punk band’s third effort nearly topped the charts. Why? Credit Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Twilight. But also credit …

Britney Spears
“3”
Pop

Queen of the coy innuendo Britney Spears does away with coy innuendo completely on her latest hit, a shameless, unapologetic …

Muse
The Resistance
Alternative, EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop, Rock

It’s the arena-shaking influences of Queen, U2 and Radiohead that stick with you after hearing this British prog-rock trio’s fifth …

The Script
“Breakeven”
Alternative, Pop, R&B, Rock

The Script knows that “when a heart breaks, it don’t break even.” But is there a chance that such a …

Whitney Houston
I Look to You
Pop, R&B

Whitney’s sixth studio effort debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s album chart.

Train
“Hey, Soul Sister”
Alternative, Folk, Pop, Rock

Lookout Jack Johnson, Colbie Caillat and Jason Mraz—Train’s biggest hit in nine years appropriates your patented feel-good island vibe—and ups …

Ke$ha
“TiK ToK”
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop

Rock around the clock? Nope, it’s more like slosh around the clock on this 22-year-old newcomer’s first single. She thinks …

Miley Cyrus
“Party in the U.S.A.”
Pop

Miley Cyrus: grounded role model for tweens or just another cautionary tale who ought to be grounded? Our quick listen …

Owl City
“Fireflies”
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop

How did a 23-year-old Christian electronica enthusiast writing songs in his parents’ Owatonna, Minn., basement manage to top the charts …

La Roux
“Bulletproof”
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop

La Roux, a British synthpop band that just starting to make waves on this side of the pond, thinks it’s …

Iyaz
“Replay”
Pop, R&B, Rap/Hip-Hop, Reggae

Iyaz is the latest newcomer on the music scene to parlay local acclaim and online popularity into a mainstream presence, …

Justin Bieber
“One Time”
Pop, R&B

Fifteen-year-old Justin Bieber has graduated from YouTube wannabe to Usher-approved teenage phenom. Even the Mouse House would have been hard-pressed …