Pop & Chart Reviews

Latest Pop & Chart Reviews

• Believers Never Die - Greatest Hits Fall Out Boy

  
  Unlikely to be forgotten too soon based on this assemblage of evidence.

  reviewed by Mike Diver

• Where We Are Westlife

  
  The boyband’s seventh album of originals sets its sights on the US market.

  reviewed by Mike Diver

  • Radio 2 Album of the Week

• Rated R Rihanna

  
  She’s transformed into a revenge-hunting, firebrand diva – and it suits her.

  reviewed by Jude Rogers

• Dark Touches Har Mar Superstar

  
  A hook-packed, skilfully produced guilty pleasure of a record.

  reviewed by Chris White

• The Fame Monster Lady Gaga

  
  An unknown a year ago, Gaga’s certainly fun to have around.

  reviewed by Paul Lester

• Post Björk

  
  Post’s imperially audacious design qualifies it as a timeless classic.

  reviewed by Mike Diver

  • 6 Music Album of the Day

• JLS JLS

  
  Little inherently wrong here – but shouldn’t we be demanding more?

  reviewed by Mike Diver

• The Fall Norah Jones

  
  An album’s worth of Jones’ luxuriance is somewhat rough going.

  reviewed by Andrew Mueller

• Colour Me Free! Joss Stone

  
  A fans-only collection, but at least time’s firmly on her side.

  reviewed by Mike Diver

• The Singles Collection Britney Spears

  
  Essential pieces of the past ten years of pop history.

  reviewed by Mike Diver

• Trust in Numbers Lake Heartbeat

  
  Mildly bewitching, the Swedes’ debut album is effortless in its beauty.

  reviewed by Matthew Horton

• Before I Self Destruct 50 Cent

  
  50 has said all this before, better, but that won’t put off his legion of fans.

  reviewed by Louis Pattison

• Never Say Never Brandy

  
  The epitome of a mixed bag.

  reviewed by Daryl Easlea

  • Trevor Nelson's Album of the Week

• Echo Leona Lewis

  
  Leona’s second album features collaborations with Justin Timberlake and OneRepublic.

  reviewed by Mike Diver

  • Radio 2 Album of the Week

• Overcome Alexandra Burke

  
  It’s relevant, it’s contemporary, and it’s edgy enough.

  reviewed by Al Fox

• Greatest Hits Foo Fighters

  
  Best appreciated by fair-weather followers and absolute beginners.

  reviewed by Mike Diver

  • 6 Music Album of the Day

• 3 Words Cheryl Cole

  
  Easily exceeds expectations despite some throwaway moments.

  reviewed by Mike Diver

  • Radio 2 Album of the Week

• New Moon: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Various Artists

  
  Kids, get exploring these acts. This is your foot in the door.

  reviewed by Mike Diver

  • 6 Music Album of the Day

• She Wolf Shakira

  
  Perhaps the most enjoyably varied pop album of 2009.

  reviewed by Mike Diver

• Swing When You're Winning Robbie Williams

  
  The singer’s voice can’t compete with the scale of the music around him.

  reviewed by Mike Diver