Subtlety not being part of Christina Aguilera’s vocabulary, she trades the retro-swing of Back to Basics for the future-pop of Bionic, receiving assists from a roster that reads like a who’s-who of progressive pop in 2010: M.I.A., Le Tigre, Peaches, and John Hill & Switch, known for their work with Santigold. But like the half-cyborg/half-diva illustration of the album cover, this revamp is only partial. Aguilera hedges her bets by adding a ballad from old friend Linda Perry, gets Tricky Stewart to produce a trio of cuts, drafts Polow da Don and Focus… to produce some heavy and slow R&B, respectively, letting enough air into the machines to reassure hesitant fans that she hasn’t abandoned her roots. All this hesitancy means that for as many risks as it takes, Bionic doesn’t feel daring. Apart from the stuttering opener of the title track and glassy chill of “Elastic Love,” notably the two Hill & Switch productions, this never delivers the future shock it promises, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, because the robot-diva hybrids are often interesting even when they stumble, as they do on “WooHoo,” its incessant title loop piercing like a dental drill. Exhibit A in Xtina’s curious tin ear for sex, “WooHoo” doesn’t work as temptation, not when the chorus come-on is “licky licky yum yum,” but her crassness is no longer alienating as it was on Stripped; it’s simply part of her persona, just like her shameless narcissism, showcased on the closing “Vanity,” where she gets her kid to confirm that she’s the greatest of them all. This triumphant self-possession comes so naturally to Christina that it’s hard not to wish that she acted so boldly throughout Bionic, letting the entirety of the record be as distinctly odd as its best moments. Frankly, the deluxe edition of Bionic does suggest what the album could have been: it’s supplemented by four bonus songs that are wildly imaginative, whether it’s the clattering, chanting “Bobblehead,” the cool synth glide of “Birds of Prey,” the perfect new wave pop of “Monday Morning,” or Sia’s mournful ballad “Stronger Than Ever.” In their place on the album proper are competent, relatively colorless club odes to fashion and fabulousness and Perry’s boring inspirational “Lift Me Up,” songs that play to Aguilera’s persona without inhabiting it. The rest of Bionic -- not just the hipster flirtations and Sia’s trio of richly ruminative AAA ballads, but the tracks directly within Aguilera’s wheelhouse, like Tricky Stewart’s wildly successful, slinky “Desnudate,” and the sultry slow burner “Sex for Breakfast” -- find Christina not playing to expectations but simply acting as a natural diva and is all the more compelling for it. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

The London-based producer/singer-songwriter who worked with such artists as Omar, Sugababes, Cheryl Cole, Kesha, McFly, and Kylie Minogue releases his second album.

The R&B/soul singer covers songs by such British rock legends as the Beatles, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Who, and the Rolling Stones.

The second full-length album for the singer born in Kansas City is a continuation of the story of Cindi Mayweather, the android introduced in the 2007 EP, "Metropolis Suite I of IV: The Chase."

This is the first album on Atlantic Records for the R&B singer and features Trey Songz on the first single "Yesterday."

The Grammy-winning Los Angeles-based group releases its latest album produced by Tony Berg.

The fourth album for the funk/soul group from New York was produced by Bosco Mann.

After being pushed back several times, the sixth album for the R&B singer is finally released, featuring guest appearances from Ludacris, Nicki Minaj, T.I., and will.i.am.

Unlike New Amerykah Part One: 4th World War, the follow-up is the opposite of the 2008 release, with songs about relationships and love and with a more analog sound.

The second release for the Canadian singer is described as the second half of his debut album--the first half being the November 2009 release "My World."

The R&B singer returns with her first album in nearly four years featuring songs cowritten with such artists as Bryan-Michael Cox, Missy Elliott, Jermaine Dupri, Ludacris, Jazmine Sullivan, Crystal Johnson, and Stargate.

The seventh album for the British pop group is its first with new singer Jade Ewen, who replaced Keisha Buchanan, the last original member.

This is the debut album for the singer-songwriter who wrote songs for a variety of artists, such as Cassie, Danita Kane, Lil Mama, and Sean Kingston.

Better remembered for his vocal contributions on Mark Ronson's "Here Comes the Fuzz," as well as his mash-up for the single "Stop Me" as heard on Ronson's album, the Australian R&B vocalist will release his debut album entitled, Love & War.

Poet, musician, and singer/songwriter Gil Scott-Heron is one of the most influential progenitors of hip-hop music. Such artists as Kanye West, Mos Def, Black Star, and Air have sampled his work. Now, the poet returns with his first album in 15 years released on XL Recordings.

After a 10-year hiatus, Sade returns with her sixth studio effort and first since 2000's "Lover's Rock."

Heavily influenced by hip-hop, rock, blues, funk, and jazz, the New Orleans "Bounce" quintet Galactic enlists vocal legends for its sixth studio effort. These include Rebirth Brass Band and Irma Thomas, as well as such up-and-coming Bounce artists as Cheeky Blakk, Big Freedia, and Sissy Nobby.

The R&B singer's fifth studio album features Jadakiss on the remix of the single, "Ain't Leaving Without You."

The latest album for the funk singer-songwriter from California contains references to Michael Jackson.

Nneka's first US release is an inspirational mix of love, hope, optimism, and 21st-century soul music.

The second album for the British singer includes darker-themed songs influenced by the death of her husband.

The third solo album for the former member of B2K features guest appearances by Gucci Mane, Jay Rock, Marques Houston, and Tank.

The latest album for the R&B singer features guest performers Drake, T.I., and Trey Songz as well as a song from the film "Precious."

The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter releases her fourth studio album.

The fourth album for the R&B singer features such guests as Estelle, The Game, Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, and Snoop Dogg.

The third album for the R&B singer features Game, Lil Wayne, Lupe Fiasco, Plies, Swizz Beatz, Trey Songz, Eva Simons, and Tank as his guest singers.

The third solo album for the producer features appearances by Brandy, Miley Cyrus, Chris Daughtry, Drake, The Fray, Keri Hilson, Chad Kroeger, Katy Perry, and Justin Timberlake.

The second album for the British singer was produced with Kanye West, who also appears as a guest artist.

The latest solo album for the R&B singer features Keri Hilson, Rock City, Tyrese, Robin Thicke, and The-Dream as guest singers.

The fourth studio album for the R&B singer from Barbados features Slash, will.i.am, and Young Jeezy as guest artists.

The British singer's first album on the Cash Money label features such guests as Lil Wayne, Sean Paul, and Lil Jon.

This is the fifth album for the R&B singer/actor born in South Carolina.

The second album for the "X Factor" winner features production help from a variety of people including Justin Timberlake, Ryan Tedder, John Shanks, and Max Martin.

The fourth album for the R&B singer features Fabolous, Lil Wayne, and Trey Songz as a guest artists.

The latest album for the R&B singer features Jill Scott and Stevie Wonder as guest performers.

Rod Stewart's latest album features covers of Motown and soul classics.

The fourth album for the singer/actor features Jeff Beck, Sheila E., Nas, Raphael Saadiq, and David Sanborn as guest artists.

The fourth album for the R&B singer features Big Sean, Sean Garrett, and Gucci Mane as guests.

The latest album for the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter was produced with Chris Bruce.

The 12th studio album for the singer was produced with L.A. Reid, Tricky Stewart, and The-Dream.

This Wu-Tang Clan member's latest album features John Legend, Fabolous, Raheem DeVaughn, Lloyd, and Estelle as guest singers.

This is the Nashville band's latest album with singer Charles Walker.

Seven years later, Q-Tip finally sees his second album officially released. Arista Records shelved the album in 2002, which features a more jazzy feel than his debut, "Amplified."

The debut album for the British singer/actress has already spawned a number one single in the UK.

Andrew Cohen, the Michigan-born singer-songwriter, releases his debut album.

The third album for the R&B singer features Che Gibson, Drake, Fabolous, Gucci Mane, and Soulja Boy Tell 'Em as guests.

The multi-award winning singer returns to release her first album in seven years.

This is the fourth studio album for the New Orleans R&B singer.

The debut album for Canadian singer-songwriter was produced by Jon Levine.

This is the debut album for the daughter of 1980's pop group member James DeBarge.

The first album for the singer since 2001's "Now" is part of a planned trilogy (the next two albums to be named BlackSUMMERS'night and Blacksummers'NIGHT).

The debut album for the Chicago R&B singer was produced by Mick Schultz.

The latest album for the singer features Brandy, Bun B, Missy Elliott, and Timberland as guests.

The Black Eyed Peas return to release its first studio album in five years.

The multi-award winning R&B singer's latest release features Akon as a guest artist.

The third album for the Atlanta, Georgia singer features guest appearances by Missy Elliot, Justin Timberlake, The-Dream, Ludacris, Chris Brown, and Young Jeezy.

The second album for the Grammy-winning singer features Ne-Yo as a guest artist.

The first solo album for Booker T in 20 years features Neil Young and the Drive-By Truckers.

The debut album from the new singer was packaged together with two albums by her producer, Prince.

The long-delayed debut album for Keri Hilson features Timbaland, Lil Wayne, Keyshia Cole, Ne-Yo, T-Pain, Akon, Lil Jon, and Trina as guest artists.

The second album for the producer/singer was produced with Chrstopher "Tricky" Stewart and features guest appearances by Kanye West, Mariah Carey, and Lil Jon.

The "Hustle" actor/singer/rapper releases his latest solo album.

The former lead singer for The Gap Band releases his second solo album, which features guest appearances by Jamie Foxx, T-Pain, and Snoop Dogg.

The follow-up to "Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship" features MC Lyte, Musiq Soulchild, Gramps Morgan, Dobet Gnahore, Terrell Carter and Sezen Aksu as guest artists.

The Harvard graduate releases his debut American album.

The ex-American Idol finalist releases her debut album.

The final album for the former TLC member features songs recorded before her death in 2002.

2Pac's collaboration with Keyshia, 'Playa Cardz Right' (also released on his posthumous album "Pac's Life"), is featured on the third album for the R&B artist.

The third album for the actor/singer features Marsha Ambrosius, The Dream, Fabolous, Lil Wayne, Ne-Yo, T.I, T-Pain, and Kanye West as guests.

The latest album for the producer/singer from North Carolina features David Banner on the single 'Cool.'

The fifth album for the R&B singer is her first with the Epic label.

The fifth album for the R&B singer features Mary J. Blige and Damian Marley as guests.

The third album for the Grammy-winning singer/producer features guest appearances by Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Young Jeezy, and Wyclef Jean.

The former Mis-Teeq singer releases her second solo album (her first, "Fired Up," was released only in Japan).

The third solo album for the ex-Destiny's Child singer features songs attributed to her alter ego Sasha Fierce.

The third album for the Florida artist features guests such as Chris Brown, Akon, Ludacris, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige and T.I.

Seal sings some classic soul songs on his sixth album produced by David Foster.

The latest album for the Grammy-winning artist features Andre 3000, Brandy, Estelle and Kanye West as guests.

The latest album for the singer was produced with her husband Justin Stanley.

This is the second album for the duo of Little Brother's Phonte and producer Nicolay.

The third solo album for the former Destiny's Child member features Flo Rida as a guest on one track.

The debut album for the for the "American Idol" finalist features Ludacris, T-Pain, and Fantasia as guests.

The third album for the R&B artist was produced with The Neptunes and Pro Jay.

The sophomore album for the dance pop group includes guest appearances by Snoop Dogg, R Kelly, Missy Elliot, and Polow da Don.

The third album for the R&B singer features songs produced by Stargate, Stereotypes, and Polow da Don.