Lauv, “All 4 Nothing.” The music of Lauv has largely been defined through ultra-modern pop beats and snappy lyrical pairings, and it’s further punctuated by an aesthetic alluding to bursts of color. Even his breakthrough single, “I Like Me Better,” felt this way and the vibe’s been repeatedly reinforced…

Beyoncé, ‘Renaissance’ The problem Beyoncé created for herself when she released Lemonade back in 2016 was it was instantly regarded as her best project. It was lauded by critics, showered with awards and consistently ranked as one of the best albums of the year, decade and—sometimes—of all time. How…

Maggie Rogers, “Surrender.” When the pandemic hit and life started feeling more and more uncertain, Maggie Rogers retreated to the north of Maine and cut the noise off. Here, she immersed herself in the energy emitted by the unruly northern Atlantic Ocean and came out with Surrender. Following up…

Hayley Kiyoko, “Panorama.” When Hayley Kiyoko canceled her 2020 tour because of COVID, she wasted no time charting out her next project. Instead of journeying across the country to appease her fanbase built up under debut album Expectations and EP I’m Too Sensitive for This Shit, she traveled inside her mind…

Lizzo, “Special” “Hi, motherfucker, did you miss me?” The good time hits as soon as Lizzo comes in with the first lyric on her new album, Special. Special Lizzo Atlantic, July 15 8/10 “The Sign” kicks off a record that will instantly bring you back to the summer of 2019,…

Conan Gray, “Superache.” The music of Conan Gray has always held a space in the in-between. He’s what would be traditionally described as feminine in his writing, delivery and fashion, yet regarded a pioneer of the emerging subgenera of pop that combines queerness with sad internet pop. He takes his time…

Calum Scott, ‘Bridges.’ If there’s one thing nearly everyone can agree on about the pandemic, it’s that the virus and the changes it brought about likely made you feel worse at some point. Financially, emotionally or mentally, it’s affected us all differently. Though there might have been some changes…

Carrie Underwood, ‘Denim and Rhinestones.’ “Some things don’t get any better than when they go together/ Denim and rhinestones,” Carrie Underwood sings with an effortless vocal run in the bridge of the title track off her new album, Denim & Rhinestones. The song, and its booming production, are tinged with…

Harry Styles, “Harry’s House.” Harry Styles has been a prominent figure in pop music for just over a decade, but with the fracturing of One Direction in 2016, he was granted the opportunity to reset and craft a sound and style entirely of his own. He took full advantage…

Florence and the Machine, “Dance Fever.” Florence Welch has always been one to embrace the avant-garde sides 21st-century pop music allows. With booming choruses, baroque lyricism and richly decorated videos, each of her albums has felt almost like an elaborately layered oil painting brought to life. With Florence and the…