Linkin Park,The Hunting Party
* * * out of four
After an electronica foray, the nu-metal pioneers bring back the noise in ballistic, riff-tastic punk tirades against war, injustice and sundry evils that justify this splendid ruckus.
Download:Keys to the Kingdom, A Line in the Sand — Edna Gundersen
Jennifer Lopez, A.K.A.
* * ½ out of four
As the title A.K.A. suggests, J.Lo can be whatever her audience wants her to be on this eclectic album, but results are mixed, with polished production obscuring some uneven songwriting.
Download:Troubeaux (w/Nas), Acting Like That (w/Iggy Azalea) — Martín Caballero
Sam Smith, In the Lonely Hour
* * out of four
Talk about a descent into self-pity. Stay With Me's stirring gospel bathos aside, the British singer blames others for his misery, singing in a falsetto that catches like he's just finished a long sob.
Download:Stay With Me, I'm Not the Only One — Brian Mansfield