John Mayer
Battle Studies
Folk, Pop, R&B, Rock

You never know what’s going to come out of John Mayer’s mouth next—when he’s talking or singing. So we were …

Bon Jovi
The Circle
Pop, Rock

Bon Jovi returns (and he’s done that a lot this decade) with a set of rockin’ arena-ready anthems that mostly …

Carrie Underwood
Play On
Country, Pop

American Idol’s biggest star—the platinum-tressed crooner from Checotah, Okla.—continues to avoid hard-livin’ country clichés as she delivers upbeat songs about …

Chris Brown
“I Can Transform Ya”
Pop, Rap/Hip-Hop

Chris Brown’s first single since being convicted of physically abusing then-girlfriend Rihanna doesn’t offer much evidence that he’s learned anything …

Orianthi
“According to You”
Pop, Rock

This Australian guitarist’s frenetic fretwork landed her the short-lived gig of a lifetime—which fortunately for her lasted just long enough …

Lady Gaga
“Bad Romance”
EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop

Just as its title suggests, Lady Gaga’s latest hit perversely celebrates the demented joys of romancing the bad boys of …

Rihanna
“Russian Roulette”
Pop

Rihanna’s first single in the wake of her violent relationship with Chris Brown is a disturbing track about putting a …

Boys Like Girls
“Two Is Better Than One”
Pop, Punk, Rock

This Boston pop-punk band’s latest hit is its highest charting one, thanks in no small measure to a guest performance …

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 …

Whitney Houston
I Look to You
Pop, R&B

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