Gabrielle Bondi’s Top 5 Mid-Year Albums

1.  Beyoncé – Lemonade

Musically ambitious and emotionally bold, Lemonade, the album itself, is almost as cinematic as the film that accompanies it. Public spectacle aside, Beyoncé hits every emotional beat as we move through an album that chronicles a difficult time in her life. What we end up is something fully realized and incredibly empowering from the world’s fiercest artist.

2. Tegan and Sara – Love You To Death

A well-crafted and solid follow up to Heartthrob, Tegan and Sara are still pushing expectations and their pop sound. Complex, fun and personal, there are not many pop albums like Love You To Death.

3. Rihanna – ANTI

Not the opus fans were expecting, but Anti is an interesting and unexpected album from Rihanna. Feeling a little more introspective and personal than her previous albums, Rihanna delivers a fun yet dark pop record.

4. Kanye West – The Life of Pablo

This may be my least favorite Kanye West album, but it still earns a spot on this list for great tracks like “Ultralight Beam” and “Wolves.”

5. Drake – VIEWS

Also not this artist’s best entry, Drake’s Views has great moments (“One Dance,” “Too Good”), but too much introspection can get a little boring.