New Music

Looking for a break from all of the holiday music that's out there right now? Get a breather with these new nonseasonal releases.

Natasha Bedingfield, Strip Me
The lowdown: The singer who burst onto the scene with "Unwritten" is back with more upbeat inspirational tunes — but most of the lyrics are pretty cliched.
Choice tracks: "Strip Me"
"All I Need" feat. Kevin Rudolf
"Touch"
Download this album if you: Are a pop fan through and through.

T.I., No Mercy
The lowdown: The currently incarcerated rapper releases his seventh album, which, unsurprisingly, contains a few tracks about breaking free and staying on top.
Choice tracks: "Welcome to the World"
"Get Back Up"
"Castle Walls"
Download this album if you: Like a little bit of inspiration with your rap albums.

One more release when you read more

Party down: today's new music releases are ready to drop a beat and get you grooving. From straight hip-hop to pop-imbued rap, these three albums will get you ready to party.

The Black Eyed Peas, The Beginning
The lowdown: The Black Eyed Peas's appropriately titled sixth album is a follow-up to last year's The E.N.D. Packed with techno beats and dance tracks, the disc has plenty of party tunes, but not as many breakout singles.
Choice tracks: "The Time"
"Love You Long Time"
"Someday"
Download this album if you: Have plans to throw a rager in the near future.


Soulja Boy, The DeAndre Way
The lowdown: The rapper best known for "Crank That" offers his third album of quirky urban anthems with silly but irresistible hooks. It's a great time if you're not taking rap (or yourself) too seriously.
Choice tracks: "First Day of School"
"Touchdown"
"Blowing Me Kisses"
Download this album if you: Need an album to inspire you to hop up out your bed and put your swag on.

Get the scoop on more new release when you read more

T.I. may be detained behind prison walls right now, but he's still putting out music. His next single from upcoming album No Mercy is all about feeling trapped inside another kind of jail. On "Castle Walls," Christina Aguilera lends her pipes to the mournful hook, which bemoans the loneliness of being a prisoner in a gilded cage. T.I. brings his signature smooth rap over the beat, so it doesn't feel too soft and emo. It's a powerful track, and a strong taste of No Mercy, which drops Dec. 7. Listen to the song when you read more

Since it's a holiday week, the biggest releases in the music industry are available a day early! This week we've got Kanye's much-anticipated album, along with new tunes from Ke$ha and Nicki Minaj. If none of those pique your interest, there's also a new Christmas album from Jessica Simpson and fresh tunes from Robyn.

Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
The lowdown: For his fifth studio album, the controversial rapper delivers with tracks that show his range, dedication to the craft, and musical sophistication.
Choice tracks: "All of the Lights"
"Power"
"Hell of a Life"
Download this album if you: Want to hear a great album from start to finish (or if you want to forget about Kanye's social misfires).

Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday
The lowdown: On her debut album, the female rapper spits lyrics that detail her climb to the top. It's a mix of attitude-heavy hooks and emotional ballads that utilize every hot collaborator from Rihanna to Eminem to Kanye West.
Choice tracks: "I'm the Best"
"Blazin" feat. Kanye West
"Save Me"
Download this album if you: Are curious to see what the heavily publicized Minaj is really all about.

One more release when you read more

As we get closer to the holidays, some major albums are hitting the shelves (and they're perfect for gift-giving). Today we've got one album that's sure to get you in the spirit, plus new songs from a reigning pop princess and a music legend.

Rihanna, Loud
The lowdown: The sexy songstress gives us her fifth album, a sensual mix of pop and dance tracks, aided by hot names like Drake and Nicki Minaj.
Choice tracks: "What's My Name"
"Raining Men"
"S&M"
Download this album if you: Are ready to unleash your inner bad girl on the dance floor.



The Glee Cast, The Christmas Album
The lowdown: Your favorite glee club puts their voices to work on a collection of old Christmas favorites. Some of the songs have a new spin, and it's high in energy.
Choice tracks: "Baby, It's Cold Outside"
"Last Christmas"
"O Holy Night"
Download this album if you: Are already rockin' around your Christmas tree.

One more release when you read more

Last week I told you that we'd be getting a posthumous album from Michael Jackson, and though you'll have to wait until Dec. 14 to hear it in its entirety, today you can hear the first single, "Breaking News."

The lyrics deal with the world's perception of Jackson before his untimely death, specifically the paparazzi and scandal that seemed to follow his every move. It's quite the production, 
from the sensationalized intro of blaring MJ-related headlines to the pop singer's signature "Oooh!" But the chorus is ridiculously catchy, and I can't imagine this song not becoming a hit — or at least played out like crazy. Give it a listen when you read more

May we present for your listening pleasure: a brand-new song from Burlesque. You may recognize "Express" from the film's trailer, but get ready to hear it in all its razzle-dazzle glory. The track starts in a very jazzy Cabaret-like way with snaps before Aguilera knocks your socks off with her explosive pipes. Have a listen when you read more

I've been a fan of folky indie outfit The Decemberists for years, so I'm looking forward to their next album, The King Is Dead, to be released in January. The band are giving us all a little preview via their new track, "Down by the Water," which pairs an upbeat, lush sound with vaguely mournful lyrics (like many of their songs). Listen to Colin Meloy's romantic voice on the harmonica-heavy "Down by the Water" when you read more

November may have only just begun, but the holiday season is already showing up in the new music offerings. If you're not in the mood for merriment just yet, we've also got a couple of other albums to rock out to.

Matt & Kim, Sidewalks
The lowdown: Hipster duo Matt & Kim release their third album of dance-y, energetic tracks. It's slightly more experimental than their last disc, without straying too far from their established sound.
Choice tracks: "AM/FM Sound"
"Cameras"
"Good For Great"
Download this album if you: Like your indie rock upbeat, noisy, and fun.

Mariah Carey, Merry Christmas II You
The lowdown: Sixteen years after the release of her original holiday album, Mariah Carey gives us a follow-up of both classics and new tunes. There's no standout like "All I Want For Christmas Is You," but it's still a decent album.
Choice tracks: "O Little Town of Bethlehem / Little Drummer Boy (Medley)"
"The First Noel / Born Is the King (Interlude)"
"Charlie Brown Christmas"
Download this album if you: Have Mariah's first album in heavy rotation during the holiday season.

One more release when you read more

It's been four years since we've heard any new music from troubled-yet-talented singer Amy Winehouse, but today brings a brand new track from the crooner. She teams up again with her friend and producer Mark Ronson to give Lesley Gore's "It's My Party" a modern makeover. The track stays pretty true to the original, but there's no denying Winehouse's signature voice. In fact, her bluesy sound kind of fits perfectly with the '60s hit. Winehouse has a new album due out in 2011, and now that she's been keeping herself out of the tabloids, will she take the world by storm once again? Give the track a listen for yourself after the jump.