The moment the gospel choir kicks in on ‘Ain’t It Fun’, urging some poor unfortunate to not go crying to their mother, signals that this is a Paramore album like no other. Following on from the breakup of the original line-up in 2010, singer Hayley Williams returns with a record that’s more commercial than ever, but unafraid to rock out the fuzzy guitars on tracks like ‘Now’ and ‘Part II’. Produced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen, who has worked with Garbage, Air and Nine Inch Nails, the album marries a bright, upbeat hyperactivity with Williams’ often downbeat lyrics to create a winning, No Doubt-style fusion of poppy highlights and sure-fire stadium hits such as ‘Still Into You, Grow Up’ and ‘(One of Those) Crazy Girls’.

Trigga is the sixth studio album by American R&B recording artist Trey Songz. The album was released on July 1, 2014, by Songbook and Atlantic Records. Following the release of his fifth studio album Chapter V, Songz made his acting debut in Texas Chainsaw 3D. The same year Songz began work on his sixth studio album and enlisted a variety of producers including DJ Mustard, Da Internz, Soundz, Mike WiLL Made It, Dun Deal, The Featherstones, D'Mile and The Insomniakz amongst others. Songz also enlisted the a variety of guest appearances from artists including Nicki Minaj, Mila J, Ty Dolla $ign, Justin Bieber, and Juicy J.
Upon release the album was met with positive reviews from critics; whom praised Trigga's production, the album also fared commercially well debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album was supported by the singles "Na Na", "SmartPhones", "Foreign" "Change Your Mind", "What's Best for You" and "Touchin, Lovin", along with the promotional single "Ordinary" featuring Jeezy.

Tailgates & Tanlines is the third studio album by the American country music artist Luke Bryan. It was released on August 9, 2011, via Capitol Nashville. Bryan co-wrote eight of the album's thirteen tracks, including its first single, "Country Girl." American Songwriter called Tailgates & Tanlines "a soundtrack for fun and sun, along with an instantaneous cure for the summertime blues." The song "Too Damn Young" was originally performed by Julie Roberts on her 2006 album Men & Mascara.

Nevermind is the second studio album by the American rock band Nirvana, released on September 23, 1991. Produced by Butch Vig, Nevermind was the group's first release on DGC Records. Frontman Kurt Cobain sought to make music outside the restrictive confines of the Seattle grunge scene, drawing influence from groups such as the Pixies and their use of song volume dynamics. It is their first album to feature drummer Dave Grohl.
Despite low commercial expectations by the band and its record label, Nevermind became a surprise success in late 1991, largely due to the popularity of its first single, "Smells Like Teen Spirit". By January 1992, it had replaced Michael Jackson's album Dangerous at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. The album also produced three other successful singles: "Come as You Are", "Lithium", and "In Bloom". The Recording Industry Association of America has certified the album Diamond, and the album has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. Nevermind was in part responsible for bringing alternative rock to a large mainstream audience, and has been ranked highly on lists of the greatest albums of all time by publications such as Rolling Stone and Time.

The College Dropout is the debut album by American hip hop artist Kanye West, released February 10, 2004, on Roc-A-Fella Records. It was recorded over a period of four years, beginning in 1999. The production of the album was often halted by the lack of confidence that producers had in West's rapping ability, eventually being convinced based off the success of his early musical ventures. Prior to the album's release, West had worked on rapper Jay-Z's The Blueprint, which showcased his melodic and soulful style of hip hop production.
The album's production was handled entirely by West, and features vocal contributions from Jay-Z, John Legend, Ervin "EP" Pope, Miri Ben-Ari, and Syleena Johnson. Diverging from the then-dominant gangster persona in hip hop, West's lyrics on the album concern themes of family, religion, self-consciousness, materialism, and personal struggles. The album was promoted by singles including "Through the Wire" and "Jesus Walks", both of which received critical acclaim. "All Falls Down" and "Slow Jamz" both charted within the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, with the latter charting at number one.

Platinum is the fifth studio album by American country music artist Miranda Lambert, released on June 3, 2014, through RCA Records Nashville. Its lead single, "Automatic", has reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 180,000 copies in its first week and is Lambert's first album to reach the top of the Billboard 200. It also marked her fifth consecutive No. 1 debut on the Top Country Albums Chart, making her the first artist in history to start her career with five No. 1 albums. Platinum won the Album of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards in 2014. On December 5, 2014, the Album received a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album.

Bringing Back the Sunshine is the eighth studio album by American country music singer Blake Shelton. The album was released on September 30, 2014, by Warner Bros. Nashville. The album was produced by Shelton's longtime producer Scott Hendricks. "Neon Light," the album's lead-off single, was released on August 18, 2014. The album's second single will be "Lonely Tonight".

Pure Heroine is the debut studio album by New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde, released on 27 September 2013 by Universal Music Group. An extended version of the album was released on 13 December 2013. Lorde collaborated with producer Joel Little and began planning the project in 2012. After releasing her first extended play The Love Club EP and its lead single "Royals" in 2013, they continued writing and producing material. Pure Heroine is a dream pop, electronica and electropop album built around minimal production, deep bass and programmed beats. Lyrically, the album discusses youth and critiques of mainstream culture.
Pure Heroine received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who commended its songwriting and production, and praised Lorde's vocal ability. The record debuted at number one on the Official New Zealand Music Chart and the Australian ARIA Charts. Pure Heroine performed strongly on international record charts, reaching number three on the U.S. Billboard 200 and charting within the top-ten in eight additional countries. Pure Heroine was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.

Thriller is the sixth studio album by the American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was released on November 30, 1982, by Epic Records, as the follow-up to Jackson's critically and commercially successful 1979 album Off the Wall. Thriller explores similar genres to those of Off the Wall, including pop, R&B, rock, post-disco, funk, and adult contemporary music. Recording sessions took place between April and November 1982 at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, with a production budget of $750,000, assisted by producer Quincy Jones.
Of the album's nine tracks, four were written by Jackson. Seven singles were released from the album, all of which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Three of the singles had music videos released. "Baby Be Mine" and "The Lady in My Life" were the only tracks that were not released as singles. In just over a year, Thriller became—and currently remains—the best-selling album of all time, with sales of 65 million copies worldwide according to various sources. In the United States, it also tied with the Eagles' Their Greatest Hits as the best-selling album at 29 million units shipped.

Following up the multi-Platinum My Kinda Party, Jason Aldean doesn't completely abandon the game-changing country-rap of his blockbuster "Dirt Road Anthem"—"1994" blends rock riffs and down-home hip-hop lyrics, shouting out to Joe Diffie and Third Rock. But Aldean also explores everything from heartbroken balladry ("I Don't Do Lonely Well") to the moody travelogue of "Wheels Rollin'," which evokes nothing so much as Bob Seger's "Turn the Page." Along the way he creates a country dream team by partnering with Eric Church and Luke Bryan on "The Only Way I Know" and reiterates his love of small-town life on "This Nothin' Town"—telling the world "It ain't all just porches and plows" and embodying the spirit of the New South spreading its wings ever further into mainstream pop culture.

Jason Aldean is the self-titled debut album of American country music artist Jason Aldean. It was released on July 26, 2005 and has been certified platinum by the RIAA. The album produced three singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts: "Hicktown", "Why", and "Amarillo Sky".
Several of this album's tracks were recorded by other artists, including two of the singles: "Amarillo Sky" previously served as the title track to McBride & the Ride's 2002 album of the same name and "Why" was also recorded by Shannon Brown on her 2005 album Corn Fed. Additionally, "Good to Go" was recorded by John Corbett on his self-titled debut album, from which it was released as a single. Finally, "Asphalt Cowboy" was previously recorded by Blake Shelton on his 2003 album The Dreamer.

Randy Houser started out banging around Nashville bars in the early '00s with his bosom buddy Jamey Johnson, as the Willie to his pal's Waylon, but his '08 debut album sported the chart-scaling country-rocker "Boots On," serving notice that the Mississippian had truly arrived in Music City. The title track from How Country Feels is Houser's biggest hit since then, once more mixing Southern twang and loud guitars. But although the riffs on tunes like "Sunshine on the Line" could give AC/DC a run for their money, there are other strings on Houser's bow. He sounds equally committed leaning into lovestruck power ballad "Wherever Love Goes" alongside former American Idol finalist Kristy Lee Cook or unfolding the slow-rolling story song "Route 3 Box 250 D," proving that a big, brawny voice doesn't have to lock a country singer into a monochromatic mode of expression.

Feels Like Carolina is the major label debut album by American country music group Parmalee. It was released on December 10, 2013 via Stoney Creek Records. The album features twelve songs, including the singles "Musta Had a Good Time", "Carolina" and "Close Your Eyes".

Just Feels Good is the second album by American country music duo Thompson Square. It was released on March 26, 2013 via Stoney Creek Records. As with their first album, it was produced by New Voice Entertainment.

Relentless is the second studio album by American country music artist Jason Aldean. It was released on May 29, 2007 via Broken Bow Records. The album debuted at number 4 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and at number one on the Top Country Albums chart, selling about 98,000 copies in its first week. On October 4 of the same year, the album was certified gold by the RIAA. It was certified platinum in September 2012.
Relentless has produced three chart singles for Aldean on the Hot Country Songs charts. The lead-off single "Johnny Cash" and "Laughed Until We Cried" both reached No. 6 on that chart, and the title track reached No. 15 in late 2008.

Grow some eyes in the back of your head, Kenny Chesney, because potential Next Big Thing Dustin Lynch is gunning for you. It's not a personal vendetta—in fact, he's probably not specifically trying to pull the earth out from underneath your boots. But between his gear-grinding sexy-machine tune ("She Cranks My Tractor"), his kick-back-and-party good-time anthem ("Unwind It") and his rugged-but-romantic power ballad ("Cowboys and Angels"), he seems to have a hell of a handle on some of your not-so-secret weapons. Lynch is also young and hungry, with his eyes on the prize. But on his self-titled debut, his voice already displays enough of its own aural imprint to keep country fans from mixing him up with any of the current top guns he might soon end up sitting alongside.

In the Lonely Hour is the debut studio album by British singer-songwriter Sam Smith. It was released in the United Kingdom on 26 May 2014 via Capitol Records and Method Records. In the United States, it was released on 17 June 2014. The album includes the hit singles "Money on My Mind" and "Stay with Me", both of which were number one in the UK; the latter becoming a hit worldwide, peaking in the top ten in over ten countries, including reaching number two in the US. The album's third hit single, "I'm Not the Only One", reached number three in the UK and number five in the US. A deluxe edition of the album contains five bonus tracks, which includes a solo acoustic version of Disclosure's single "Latch" and Naughty Boy's number-one single "La La La".
Upon its release, In the Lonely Hour received mixed to positive reviews from music critics, who highly praised Smith's vocal ability but criticising the music for being too conventional. The album was a commercial success worldwide; peaking at number one in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Sweden, and number two in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United States.

Our Love is the sixth studio album by Canadian musician Caribou, released on October 6, 2014 via City Slang worldwide, and October 7, 2014 through Merge Records in North and South America. The album reached #46 on the Billboard 200.

Honest is the second studio album by American hip hop recording artist Future. The album was released on April 22, 2014, by A1 Recordings, Freebandz and Epic Records. The album was supported by six singles "Karate Chop", "Honest", "Shit", "Move That Dope", "Covered N Money" and "I Won", along with the promotional single "Real and True". The album features guest appearances from Pharrell, Pusha T, Casino, Wiz Khalifa, Drake, Kanye West, Young Scooter, André 3000 and Lil Wayne.

Syro is a studio album by the British electronic musician Richard D James, released under the pseudonym Aphex Twin on 19 September 2014 on Warp Records. It is his sixth studio album as Aphex Twin and his first studio album release in 13 years since Drukqs. The album is also his first official release as Aphex Twin since Chosen Lords, a compilation of tracks from the Analord series.
Recorded over a period of several years in various studios—including James' own studio in rural Scotland—Syro features 12 tracks and incorporates several subgenres of electronic music including techno, glitch, jungle and ambient. The album also features edited vocal tracks provided by James and his family. Syro '​s cryptic promotional campaign included an announcement made available only on the Deep Web, as well as several press releases in broken English and events in various international cities. Upon its release, Syro received widespread acclaim from music critics and placed in several international charts, as well as earning a Grammy Award nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album.

Tough Love is the second studio album by English recording artist Jessie Ware. It was released on 13 October 2014 in the United Kingdom and 24 October 2014 in the United States. The album includes the singles "Tough Love" and "Say You Love Me".

Platinum is the fifth studio album by American country music artist Miranda Lambert, released on June 3, 2014, through RCA Records Nashville. Its lead single, "Automatic", has reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 180,000 copies in its first week and is Lambert's first album to reach the top of the Billboard 200. It also marked her fifth consecutive No. 1 debut on the Top Country Albums Chart, making her the first artist in history to start her career with five No. 1 albums. Platinum won the Album of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards in 2014. On December 5, 2014, the Album received a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album.

Here and Nowhere Else is the third studio album and fourth LP overall by Cloud Nothings. It was released on April 1, 2014 by Carpark Records, and was produced and mixed by John Congleton.