Dr. Dre, Compton (Aftermath/Interscope)
Dr. Dre’s new album “Compton” doesn’t just unfold, it charges forward — a barreling mass of relentless beats and lyrical strong-arming that amounts to much more than anyone could have expected from a hip-hop legend whose last solo album hit shelves in 1999.
Read MoreIf there’s one thing that could have sunk Fox’s “Empire” faster than bad acting, it’s bad music. But ratings for the record-breaking, hip-hop drama are soaring, thanks to its addictive story line and entertaining cast, as well as its slew of catchy tunes which are now included in the “Original Soundtrack from Season 1 of Empire.”
For as long as Drake's been around, almost everything about him - his Mr. Sensitive image, his sweater collection, his cheesy photos with various professional athletes - has been the subject of a never-ending stream of Internet memes.
Still, Drake and his talent are no joke, and the Grammy winner's surprise album, "If You're Reading This It's Too Late," dares critics to say otherwise.
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There’s plenty to like about Meghan Trainor’s first full-length album, “Title.” The set, which includes music from a previously released EP of the same name, serves up all the doo-wop sass that hooked fans on the singer-songwriter’s Grammy-nominated hit, “All About That Bass.”
Jump to almost any track on “Title” and you’ll find a similar juxtaposition of cheeky lyrics stamped over malt shop-inspired production. Unfortunately, therein lies the problem: by album’s end, it seems Trainor and “Title” producer Kevin Kadish have beaten their brand of shooby-doo flavor to death.
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Jessie Ware, "Tough Love" (Interscope)
Jessie Ware's "Tough Love" is lovely, and that's not a tepid endorsement. No, the English singer's sophomore disc is lovely in the way of a sunset or a cruise around the lazy river after a long day at the waterpark.
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Jennifer Hudson's new album, "JHUD," would fly off the shelves if every copy included a tiny stage, complete with miniature Jennifer Hudson singing live.
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Chris Brown's sixth studio album, "X," is cohesive, entertaining and not at all what one might expect of a project plagued by delays following the release of lead single "Fine China" back in March 2013.
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This is how you follow up an impressive debut: simply step into the recording booth, and be amazing yet again.
Maybe it's easier said than done, but Ariana Grande manages to pull off the feat with her sophomore release "My Everything," the successor to last year's near-pop perfection "Yours Truly," which topped the Billboard 200 chart and spawned the hit single "The Way," featuring Mac Miller.
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Trey Songz, "Trigga" (Atlantic Records)
Six albums in and making R&B hits almost seems too easy for Trey Songz.
He's got the vocals of a crooner with the swagger of a rapper, and on his latest release, "Trigga," the heartthrob once again darts between the bedroom and bottle service, sending his sweet vocals soaring over a landscape of seductive beats, beautiful melodies and lyrics that beg to be repeated.
But Songz's latest set is missing something: growth.
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