Talk That Talk – Rihanna – (Universal Music)

Rihanna’s talk is direct and her music too is the same. It’s no wonder that her studio album (her sixth), is lyrically satisfying and musically equally catchy and danceable pop album, with a few ballads thrown in. The album is rooted in her usual style of R & B, dance – pop, with elements of hip hop, 80s electro, a bit of trance, house and variations of dub step, the last genre which she used widely in her fourth album ‘Rated R’.

State of Survival – Flipsyde (Universal Music)

Where is DJ D-Sharp and who is the lady in the band? These are two questions that fans of Flipsyde, the band who gave us the huge hits Someday and Spun are trying to find out. Is it a carbon copy of the super successful Black Eyed Peas? Or just trying to be like the BEPs? All know that BEPs were almost a flop before Fergie, so will the addition of Chantelle Paige to the lineup of Steve Knight, Dave Lopez, Jinho "the Piper" Ferreira, make anything new?

Fearless - Taylor Swift – (Universal Music)

American teenager, blonde haired and blue eyed Taylor Swift cannot be missed on the country - pop – rock circuit. She has been around for sometime and has carved a niche for herself after her self titled debut album skyrocketed her to superstardom.

Our Version of Events – Emeli Sande (Virgin Records)

Newcomer to the music world is 24 year old Scot singer of South African decent and a former medical student Adele Emeli Sande, better known by her stage name Emeli Sande. Sande’s album comes after working with artists like Professor ‘Read all about it’ Green, and later co-writing material for TV talent shows featuring Leona Lewis to Susan Boyle, prompting Simon Cowell to label her as his “favorite songwriter of the moment”.

Battleground – The Wanted (Universal Music)

The Wanted for those who don’t know, are a British pop boy band based in London and comprises of Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes. Tom Parker, who was also part of the band, passed away due to cancer in 2022.

Thankful – Kelly Clarkson (Crescendo Music)

Clarkson is the much adorated 2002 winner of the American Idol contest held in America each year, chosen more for her amazing voice. Clarkson’s debut may ring a bell for her sugary sweet harmonies have a lot of grace, her colorful voice gets close to the shrill. There may not be any great songs, great lyrics, for it’s a simple lovey - dovey album twirling on love.

Tah Dah - Scissor Sisters (Universal Music)

Formed in 2001, Scissor Sisters comprises lead vocalist Jake Shears, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist and back vocalist Babydaddy, vocalist playing percussion Ana Matronic, guitarist Del Marquis and drummer Paddy Boom.

Daniel Powter - Daniel Powter (EMI Virgin)

Canadian Daniel Powter is vocalist and keyboardist on his debut self titled effort, churning out some fascinating pop tunes and balladic pieces with little effort. With the piano taking precedence on most of his tracks, as he belts off tunes that are catchy and sing along. Just 10 tracks and less that 40 minutes of playing time, showcases Powter’s talents.

Scandinavia – MLTR (EMI Virgin)

Denmark has given us some of the best music in the past two decades from bands like Aqua, The Ravonettes, drummer Lars Ulrich from Metallica to the sentimental strains of the ever lovable Michael Learns To Rock. MLTR as they are popularly known are back with their eight studio album ‘Scandinavia’ probably a lift from Deep Purple’s double live album ‘Scandinavian Nights’.

Brave – Jennifer Lopez (Sony BMG)

Global superstar, Jennifer Lopez is back in the news. Lopez released a new music video with her first single Can’t Get Enough early this year. The official music video by filmmaker Dave Meyers is from, This Is Me…Now: A Love Story, which will be streaming on Prime Video on 16th February, 2024.