We weren’t sure if Madonna could surprise us anymore. Until she did.
Twang is one of the more interesting permutations of the prototypical George Strait record.
My Old, Familiar Friend is a power-pop record that never skimps on the power.
Seventy minutes is an almost excruciatingly long time to spend alone with Sean Paul.
King of Jeans sees the band for the first time failing to avoid passages of power-chord monotony and instances of off-target ridicule.
Reba McEntire uses Keep on Loving You as an aggressive bid to prove that she’s still a major commercial force.
Third Eye Blind follows a paint-by-numbers blueprint with stunning efficiency.
In her best work, even when she’s being precious, there’s an underlying force and anger that threatens to shatter everything into little pieces.
On Watch Me Fall, Jay Reatard settles on his best impulses while also neatening them up a bit.
It’s a testament to the sheer quality of songs like “Union Street” that the album is still worth a listen.
Over the course of the album, Major Lazer tackles a host of sub-genres of dancehall music.
Stupid Love impresses for its thematic focus and the leap forward in maturity in Smith’s songwriting.
By attempting to please fans of pop, hip-hop, and country, songs like “Bullet” and “My Cowboy” use only the most superficial aspects of each of those genres.
He Was King ultimately accentuates Felix’s possibly deliberate but just as possibly chronic vacuousness as a songwriter and producer.
On her first album in 13 years, folk icon and Native American activist Buffy Sainte-Marie comes out swinging.
Tribute To is most interesting for the opportunity to hear Jim James’s ethereal voice.
While most indie messiahs tend to wear out their halos once the hype dies down, this duo’s debut seems engineered for maximum replays.
Modest Mouse’s perfunctory b-sides collection is rich with the band’s trademarks: manic and self-deprecating disillusionment.
The sheer force of La Roux’s best songs steel themselves against pretty boys as well as petty criticisms.
From his spiritual commitments to his choice of beats, Matisyahu does nothing without careful consideration.
Drake’s ability to juggle standard bling-and-bluster narratives with intelligent narratives bodes well for his future.