POP?
Selena Gomez?
“Stars Dance”
?Producers: various
?Hollywood Records
?Release date: July 23
?Gomez grows up considerably on her first proper solo album, stepping away from the pop-rock of the Scene and into clubland groove on tracks like “Slow Down,” “Undercover” and “B.E.A.T.” Inquiring minds will dig into the album, listening closely to “Love Will Remember,” Gomez’s wistful rumination on her relationship with Justin Bieber. —Gary Graff
?POP
?Cody Simpson
“?Surfers Paradise”?
Producers: various?
Atlantic Records
?Release date: July 16?
These beach-ready songs recall artists like Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz, pairing sunny melodies with crooning lyrics about love and its accompanying emotions. Simpson’s teen appeal threads throughout: “Summertime of Our Lives” is a sweet whistling ballad, and single “Pretty Brown Eyes” is a full-fledged pop anthem. —Emily Zelmer
?LATIN
?Marc Anthony?
“3.0?”
Producers: Sergio George, Marc Anthony?
Sony Music Latin
?Release date: July 23
?The anthemic dance hit “Vivir Mi Vida” doesn’t define “3.0.” The album is vintage Anthony salsa fare. Pulsating and dynamic, it’s also romantic to the core; every track here works as a ballad. Driving it is Anthony’s unparalleled voice, sounding as good as ever, and more soulful as well. —Leila Cobo
??DANCE
?Pet Shop Boys?
“Electric”
?Producer: Stuart Price?x2/Kobalt Label Services
?Release date: July 16?
Can synth-pop pioneers still be relevant in today’s EDM world? The Pet Shop Boys make their case here, carefully blending contemporary club sonics with the duo’s inherent pop melodicism, along with a characteristically eyebrow-raising cover (Bruce Springsteen’s “The Last to Die”). It ain’t Skrillex, but it won’t chase anybody off the dancefloor, either. —Gary Graff
?AVANT-GARDE
?David Lynch?
“The Big Dream?”
Producers: David Lynch, Dean Hurley?
Sacred Bones Records ?
Release date: July 16
?Like 2011’s “Crazy Clown Time,” much of “The Big Dream” has the ethereal and dreamy quality we associate with a good Lynch film. Besides sounding tighter and more assured than its predecessor, “The Big Dream” shows more of Lynch’s gritty side on “Star Dream Girl” and “Say It.” —Gary Graff
?R&B
?Mayer Hawthorne?
“Where Does This Door Go?”
Producers: various
?Republic Records?
Release date: July 16
?Hawthorne takes his soulfulness remarkably serious on his third album, “Where Does This Door Go.” It’s a sultry collection of throwback R&B numbers that veers from the pulsating midtempo standout “The Innocent” to bluesy single “Her Favorite Song.” It’s easy to picture these vintage tunes being played in a slinky, dim nightclub. —Emily Zelmer