Liam Gallagher, “C’mon You Know.” Liam Gallagher has always leaned in to the Britpop aesthetic, with a Beatles-esque foundation that the former Oasis and Beady Eye vocalist has built a legacy upon for decades. While Gallagher relies on that tried and true formula on C’Mon You Know, his third studio…

Def Leppard, “Diamond Star Halos.” When Def Leppard got progressively softer and more radio-friendly after their first two records, there was a definite tradeoff that kept the scales balanced for another decade or so. Diamond Star Halos Def Leppard Universal, May 27 5/10 It didn’t thrill the metalheads, but…

Wilco, “Cruel Country.” Chicago rockers Wilco have always reminded me of a good football team. While the band’s chief songwriter, Jeff Tweedy, is clearly the quarterback, the self-effacing frontman has surrounded himself with a bunch of powerful players, each with his own skillset. During the band’s early years the…

Hanson, “Red Green Blue.” To celebrate its third decade as a band, pop-rock trio Hanson flipped the script entirely for its eight album. Red Green Blue is a cohesive release made up of three separate creative endeavors. Red Green Blue Hanson 3CG Records, May 20 8/10 Each band member (and…

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…

Kendrick Lamar, “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” To think that it’s been five years since the world has heard a new project from Compton’s Kendrick Lamar. Fans have been desperate to hear new work from K-Dot, who in the last few years has collaborated on Marvel’s “Black Panther” soundtrack, and…

The Chainsmokers, “So Far So Good.” New York duo The Chainsmokers rose to prominence on the back of big, synth-heavy, danceable anthems, many times recruiting some of pop’s biggest names on vocals. It was a proven formula for success and they reaped the rewards. On their fourth album, So Far…

The Smile (Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood and Tom Skinner), “A Light For Attracting Attention.” The sign of a good chef is the ability to combine a bunch of cold leftovers into a mouthwatering gourmet experience. Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood, freed from their familiar Radiohead kitchen and working with…

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…

The Black Keys, “Dropout Boogie.” Few bands have the keen ability to tap into the spirit of rock and roll quite like The Black Keys. Ten albums strong, the Akron duo has reliably blended blues-infused rock with a healthy serving of funk, soul and pop. Following a detour through…