Adele Is Back With "25"

It's been about four years since we last heard from Adele, when she began her domination of the record industry. "21" came at a time when album sales were at an all time low. Not even albums by Beyoncé or Lady Gaga could sell as well as earlier efforts; To say the record industry was slogging is an understatement. But then Adele came, and her cross generational appeal combined with being absolutely different from the Gagas and the Katy Perrys of the world that were flooding the radios sent "21" to the top of the charts. It is now one of the best selling albums of all time, and to date has sold 30 million copies worldwide. It still is sitting pretty within the Billboard Top 100.

"Art Angels": Grimes' Fantastic Follow-up To "Visions"

When Grimes (Claire Boucher) released her ambient masterpiece "Visions," back in 2012 she was hailed as the next big thing. Standout tracks 'Oblivion' and 'Genesis' launched her into an internet sensation, and prompted Jay Z himself to sign her to his label, Roc Nation. "Visions" won acclaim from nearly every music journalist out there, posing the aggravating question that every artist must face following a successful record: 'How are you going to outdo yourself the next time around?'

Album Review: Selena Gomez, "Revival"

Best known for her hit Disney Channel show, "Wizards of Waverley Place", a pop music career seemed inevitable for Selena Gomez. She was primed to follow fellow Disney Channel stars Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato, both of whom established themselves in the world of pop music after toiling away pandering to children. Cyrus, the most successful (for lack of a better word), has all but thrown out that wig from her Hannah Montanna days, and established herself as a controversial figure, the bad girl of pop, something she clearly relishes. Lovato hasn't seen the career highs Cyrus has seen, but has an undeniable voice and a savvy for working her own struggles and setbacks in life into her music.

But Gomez is a much more questionable figure in the world of pop. She's done empowerment ('Who Says'), and hinted at incorporating her sexuality into her music ('Come & Get It') but ultimately has never established just who she is; As an artist, Gomez has always been molded by her songs, rather than molding the songs to her. Her last album, "Stars Dance", did little to advance her as an artist. Rather, it was a collection of songs that sounded like a pale imitation of Rihanna (which is funny considering many of the songs were offered to Rihanna before they landed in Gomez's catalog).

Since then, Gomez has changed labels. "Revival", the first release since she left Hollywood Records, is a career high for the singer, and finally gives listeners a glimpse of the singers behind the songs.