POP
Sara Bareilles?
“The Blessed Unrest”
?Producers: various
?Epic Records?
Release date: July 16
?Relocation to New York and romantic turmoil are key factors in Bareilles’ most ambitious album yet. She tries a variety of sonic flavors, from the anthemic first single “Brave” to the spectral “Satellite Call,” all while looking for light and love in some pretty dark places. —Gary Graff
?POP
?Skylar Grey
?”Don’t Look Down”
?Producers: various?
KIDinaKORNER/Interscope?
Release date: July 9
?Grey, perhaps best-known for appearing on Dr. Dre’s “I Need a Doctor,” explores her own musical style on “Don’t Look Down.” Full of soaring vocals amplified by hip-hop beats and pop melodies, she gets cheeky on the Eminem-assisted “C’mon Let Me Ride” and makes her emotional sincerity plain on standout “Wear Me Out.” —Emily Zelmer
A?mericana?
Michael ?Martin Murphey
“?Red River Drifter”
?Producers: Ryan Murphey, Pat Flynn?
Red River Entertainment
?Release date: July 9
?Michael Martin Murphey has excelled at bluegrass and is the quintessential ambassador of true Western music. His latest project showcases his amazingly diverse skill set as a writer and vocalist, particularly on such engaging fare as “Shake It Off” and the hauntingly beautiful “Mountain Storm.” —Deborah Evans Price
HIP-HOP
Jay-Z?
“Magna Carta Holy Grail”
?Producers: various?
Roc-a-Fella/Roc Nation
?Release date: July 9
?On “Oceans,” Jay-Z yachts over troubled waters with Frank Ocean as thoughtful first mate — spilling Champagne in a sea, he muses, that carried his enslaved ancestors to America. That’s Magna Carta in a nutshell. A deeper listen to each gilded cut frequently reveals truths and fears, poetically twisted into aspirational art. —Brad Wete
R&B
?Ciara
?”Ciara”
?Producers: various?
Epic Records
?Release date: July 9
?The strongest release since her 2004 debut, Ciara’s fifth album finds her flourishing in mostly bass-heavy, slinky soundscapes that suit her vocal range. She explores new territory here, flirting with dance on “Overdose” and rapping on “Super Turnt Up,” while using her relationship with rapper Future as inspiration. —Erika Ramirez?
BLUEGRASS
The Deadly Gentlemen
“?Roll Me, Tumble Me”
?Producer: Greg Liszt?
Rounder Records?
Release date: July 9?
Banjoist Greg Liszt, a former member of Crooked Still and Bruce Springsteen’s “Seeger Sessions” band, writes the songs and sets the boundary-pushing acoustic character of the Deadly Gentlemen’s third album. Precise and often dazzling musicianship enhances Liszt’s occasionally over-wordy songs, most of which should be welcome on adventurous triple A playlists. -Phil Gallo