By Jordan Oulela, University of Texas at San Antonio

Although the re-recordings of ‘Fearless’ and ‘Red’ were met with overwhelmingly positive reactions, copyright and trademark cases may prevent other highly anticipated albums from releasing any time soon.

By Jordan Oulela, University of Texas at San Antonio

Oftentimes, the hype around a highly anticipated album is ruined when it’s leaked to the public without the artist’s consent. But recently, stars like Ariana Grande and Maisie Peters are using the practice to give them an edge and fuel more excitement for future releases.

By Aly Walters, Michigan State University

Seen from the recent release of his new single, ‘As It Was,’ the upcoming album may prove well worth the wait.

By Jordan Oulela, University of Texas at San Antonio

In just a few years, the young artist has gone from uploading YouTube videos to touring internationally with raw, down-to-earth music.

By Peyton Conner, Indiana University

Kim Jong-in wasn’t always the smooth and suave soloist fans know him as today. He’s gone from being EXO’s beloved main dancer to a successful soloist following his two recent album releases.

By Jenna Amore, Oakland University

Despite his recent breakup with Camila Cabello, the artist’s new single emphasizes the love the couple still shares for one another.

By Rory Conlon, De Anza College

In light of a battle over her master recordings, Swift has re-recorded her fourth album, and she did not disappoint.

By Joy Young, Chapman University

The pop-rock trio’s enticing sound takes an effervescent stance on feeling your feelings with hard-hitting lyrics and a pop sound.

By Esha Shah, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Chelsea Cutler’s sophomore record deviates from her older music in the best ways possible, giving her fans hope for the present and the future.

By Tori Walz, Eastern Michigan University

The artist’s new album is filled with upbeat tracks that deal with personal, heavy topics audiences can find their own connections with.

By Daniela Saffran, Rollins College

Rather than focus on happier themes, popular music today seems to want to embrace the melancholy.

By Mariam Nasief, Columbia University

The English musician’s new pop-sound may have been nothing more than a failed experiment.

By Natalie Gabor, Indiana University-Bloomington

The popular indie artist known for her dreamy music explores deeper and more intense topics in her sophomore release.

By Mason Cannon, Columbia University

Someone new discovering old favorites doesn’t always water them down.

By Anna Hupp, University of Wyoming

The artist, who rose to fame with albums that encapsulate the spirit of teen-hood, explores less dramatic — and arguably more important — themes in her latest album.

By Olivia Wisse, Hofstra University

The boyband announced they will be releasing new music. But will their previous personas as child actors prevent them from becoming mainstream artists?

By Mariam Nasief, Columbia University

His solo project, Bleachers, just released ‘Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night,’ and although he is a secret weapon of success for pop icons like Lorde, Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey, his own solo work often fails to get the same attention.

By Olivia Wisse, Hofstra University

The artist’s return to music has been met with criticism, but her recent single may be a winner with fans of her previous work.

By Mariam Nasief, Columbia University

The singer’s latest song returns to the lyrics and sounds that made his debut album, ‘Blue Neighborhood,’ such a long-lasting hit.

By Sydney Smith, University of Pittsburgh

With the singer’s recent release ‘Planet Her’ comes a renewed focus on captivating styles, something that has been lacking from mainstream pop as of late.

By Zach Terrillion, Oberlin College

While stars like Lady Gaga have supported the LGBT community through their music, ‘Sawayama’ focuses on what it means to actually be LGBT.

By Michelle Buckley, Chapman University

This promising indie music star’s latest EP tells a story about growth and demonstrates a positive turning point in the artist’s rising career.

By Zach Terrillion, Oberlin College

The beloved show helped introduce younger audiences to the magic of show tunes through storytelling and genre-blending.

By Mai Senser, Virginia Commonwealth University

In the first half of her sophomore record, the singer-songwriter has taken control of her own narrative, exploring a wide variety of musical genres.

By Kelsi Karpinski, Michigan State University

The band’s latest album might attempt to follow up on the stories started with past projects, but to many fans’ dismay, it certainly doesn’t sound like them.

By Jayar Brenner, Michigan State University

Although this ‘Sour’ song is a smash hit, it includes some ableist language that needs to be addressed.

By Kieran Benson, Luther College

After a decade behind the scenes of many chart-topping pop hits, the singer-songwriter has debuted her own solo studio album.

By Arianna Taylor, University of Rochester

This album examines the stages of a relationship … out of order. It explores the journey of romance and what it means in the end.

By Benjamin Chen, Columbia University

By Kieran Benson, Luther College

The new song is another hit from the young artist, who continues to find inspiration from music legends like Lorde and Taylor Swift.

By Alexa Katherine Will, University of Pittsburgh

Since his rise to fame, many fans have drawn parallels between this year’s star Super Bowl performer and the King of Pop, but the artist prefers to highlight his own originality instead.

By Kieran Benson, Luther College

The Australian singer-songwriter exemplifies the evolution of the pop genre while taking note from pop stars of the past.

By Benjamin Chen, Columbia University

Jolin Tsai’s hit 2018 song and music video explore her personal struggles as an artist by diving into a study of one’s identity.

By Sarah Esquivel, University of Texas at San Antonio

The electro-pop trailblazer, who died at the age of 34 on Jan. 30, redefined her industry by challenging traditional concepts of gender, identity and sound.

By Benjamin Chen, Columbia University

By Sarah Esquivel, University of Texas at San Antonio

With plenty of highly anticipated releases and online concerts slated for this year, here are the female artists to keep an ear out for.

By Katherine Bry, Washington University

The Netflix special takes a look at the emotions behind the singer’s Sweetener world tour.

By Emma Watts, University of Arizona

By Tanisha Bhat, Boston University

Laying rumors of retirement to rest, the artist has conjured up an album filled with diverse musical styles and songs of heartbreak.

By Nnekakwo Adibe, Lesley University

Some want us to separate the art from the artist, but that doesn’t remove the sexism, misogyny, toxicity and depraved messages about love, sex, drugs and women present in his work.

By Sammi Looi, Baruch College

One half of the brother-sister duo AKMU, the musician is spreading a message of positivity with her debut single.

By Julia Greene, Columbia College Chicago

The Scottish pop singer is using her extra time during the pandemic to create new versions of her old music, as well as compose entirely new pieces — with a twist.

By Emma T., UC Berkeley

The Barcelona singer spent her childhood learning music long associated with revolution. Now, Rosalía is revolutionizing the music industry herself.

By Renee Cantor, University of Pittsburgh

Sibling acts like the Jackson 5, the Jonas Brothers, HAIM and the Bee Gees need to make room because there’s a new and ferocious sister duo that’s here to stay.

By Emma Smith, Wesleyan University

Their latest record is far more than just a collection of songs: Here’s a closer look at how the band has changed the game when it comes to debuting new music.

By Julia Greene, Columbia College Chicago

The artist’s renowned songwriting has gone from red to monochrome to the full spectrum of colors to create vivid imagery in every line.

By Audrey Martin, Boston University

Playlists are king on the streaming platform. These five users take their playlist curation to the next level.

By McKenna Uzelac, Columbia University

100 gecs’ latest release is a remix album that features artists like Charlie XCX, Fall Out Boy and Kero Kero Bonito.

By Srishti Tyagi, Cornell University

The artist’s simple rhythms, addictive melodies and evocative lyrics have converged into a masterful EP that demonstrates his songwriting and production genius.

By Anna Barnard, St. Olaf College

The Washington D.C. trio puts catchy piano melodies at the center of their sound, and wears their love of Queen on their sleeves.

By Caleb Mullenneaux, St. Olaf College

Throughout Perfume Genius’ latest album, Mike Hadreas embraces emotional excess and channels it into one of the best indie pop efforts of the year.

By Kali Johnson, Gustavus Adolphus College

The Canadian singer took the world by storm, and now with a newfound voice, she is determined to defeat the odds set upon her by the media.

By Nanda Illahi, Okayama University

With British, Spanish and Korean members, the UK band has people everywhere divided on what it means to be a K-pop group.

By S. T. Perez, Texas A&M University, San Antonio

Underneath the catchy songs is a message about reaching out to others despite our differences.

By Asha MacKay, Wellesley College

The title track begins, ‘You want a timeless song, I want to change the game.’ Over the course of 11 tracks, the British pop star accomplishes her goal.

By Rose Younglove, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

They say it’s not good to keep it bottled up, but is letting it out doing more harm than good?

By Lauren Buchko, Michigan State University

She entered the spotlight in 2013 but has since taken a break from the public eye. Is the New Zealand singer about to make a comeback?

By Sarah Stager, University of Pittsburgh

Even with a new sound, the Irish musician continues to use poetic lyrics and a masterful blending of rock, pop and electronic music to connect with audiences.

By Vaishnavi Kalyana, College of DuPage

The past four years have not been easy for the pop star, but she’s back in the music world and she’s making her mark.

By Caleb Dukes, Rice University

Released just moments after her Sweetener World Tour ended, this recording perfectly captures the intensity and skill of the musician’s live performances.

By Megan Thompson, Montclair State University

The young singer brought fans down a road toward the weird and wonderful world of the average teenage girl.

By Caleb Dukes, Rice University

From the casual lyric drops to dragging misogynists, the musician took important stands and summed up an influential, storied career (so far).

By Emma Lichtenstein, Brandeis University

The song caps off a passionate four-song EP that might be the musician’s best work yet.

By Caleb Dukes, Rice University

A ‘Fine Line’ opinion that’s as unbiased as I can be.

By Kristin Auld, St John’s University

The pop star’s presence was inescapable.

By Caleb Dukes, Rice University

Did your favorites make the cut?

By Caleb Dukes, Rice University

The album is full of legends, from Chaka Khan to Donna Summer.

By Megan Thompson, Montclair State University

Fans are shocked as the former One Direction singer strips his boy-band identity for a persona that suits his age.

By Caleb Dukes, Rice University

Is it really all sunshine and rainbows?

By Rickea Bell, Saint Peter’s University

“NH2” is coming, folks.

By Isador Pinto, Ringling College of Art + Design

Dr. Luke: doctor of music but ruiner of morals and reputations

By Isador Pinto, Ringling College of Art + Design

The Japanese genre evokes the sounds of neon city life, and it’s starting to make a splash in the West.

By Rickea Bell, Saint Peter’s University

This isn’t a shout out to my ex, but it is a shout out to all the people who haven’t heard Little Mix’s bops.

By Michael Wu, Case Western Reserve University

From pop purgatory to sold-out stadiums, the English superstar has created a musical niche that has fans obsessed.

By Michelle Dreyer, Southern New Hampshire University

It’s the singer’s first single in three years.

By Alexis Rogers, Temple University

Finally.

By Kylie Harrington, University of Southern California

The singer-songwriter’s latest project is an up-tempo collection  of emo bangers.

By Myah Clinton, University of Alabama at Birmingham

This one’s for the musicians who make you think something’s wrong with your headphones.

By Katie Sheets, University of Vermont

One of the most important singers of the 20th century passed away yesterday, leaving behind a legacy of virtuosic ability and a commitment to social issues.

By Jonathan Christian, Northwest Vista College

The UK duo’s newest album, ‘I’m All Ears,’ is one of 2018’s best.

By Tricia Crimmins, Bates College

Her songwriting is all about that basic lack of commonsense.

By Rachel Hall, Augustana College

And thank god it’s not with ‘Friday.’

By Maya Ramani, University of Virginia

And what about it?

By Rakshya Devkota, Saint Louis University

Thanks to LGBTQ+ musicians like Hayley Kiyoko, is the world moving towards a Golden Age of queer women in mainstream pop music?

By Sarah Hoenig, Texas A&M University

From 2006 to today, Taylor Swift had a huge music evolution changing her style with every album.

By Emily Craig, University of North Alabama

Four weeks since its debut, ‘Camila’ is more than proving that the young singer’s decision to go solo was an act of genius.

By Patrick Murtha, Eastern Connecticut State University

After four long years, Eminem has returned with ‘Revival,’ and it’s already garnering a series of less than positive reviews.

By Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

Through her latest ensemble of pop and electronic beats mixed with naturistic instrumentals, Björk shows reinvention does not have to be derivative.

By Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

What do you get when you take a nerdy, Harvard-educated musician and try to put him in the public eye as a rockstar? Pacific Daydream.

By Eliana DuBosar, Florida State University

As unpopular as some of her actions may have been over the years, there’s a lot to learn from Miley Cyrus.

By Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

Annie Clark, indie-rocker extraordinaire, has returned with a new album, a new haircut and a new persona: dominatrix at the mental institution.

By Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

These are the albums that are (or should be) defining the decade.

By Crissonna Tennison, UCLA

Like looking into a mirror, pop music reflects the bad, good and potential of whoever is playing it over the radio.