New Albums: Birdman Enlists the Help of Some Friends and Selena Gomez Makes the Stars Dance

     It's Tuesday (7/23) again, which is when the biggest albums of the week usually drop in the music industry. This week we've got Birdman's first album in a while, as well as Selena Gomez's first credited solo effort (her previous albums were credited to her band as well, known as 'The Scene"). Enjoy a quick summary of the albums below. I'll review both albums in my vlog music review, to debut this Friday!

     "Richgang", the title of Birdman's collaboration album, is exactly the kind of album you'd expect. Jam-packed with features ranging from Kendrick Lamar to Chris Brown, there's not much music innovation happening here. Instead of coming together like a coherent project, the album seems like it was mashed together on some teenager's playlist. You've probably heard the song "Tap Out" featuring Wayne, Future, & Nicki Minaj, but this whole album is all spectacle with no real meat. Yes, it's exciting to have lots of features. But the features prove pointless when the chorus of a song lasts longer than the actual verses.

     "Stars Dance" is the name of Selena Gomez's newest music effort, and it was a rather pleasant surprise of modern pop. For a girl without much of a vocal range, she definitely knows how to manipulate her voice to bring the best-sounding quality pop to her fans. Highlights include "Come & Get It", "Stars Dance", and my personal favorite: "Birthday". If you have one guilty pleasure album this summer, let it be this one.