LIBERATION

Reinvention has been a recurring theme in Christina Aguilera's career for years, but Liberation sees her really go back to basics. Maria sounds as though it was plucked from as early in Aguilera's discography as 2002, bar the heavy beat.

Often pop stars make comebacks with facetious hip hop albums as a means to connect to younger audiences, but Aguilera bypasses that fateful mistake.

No sooner is the general tone established for the rest of the album than surprisingly slick guitar riffs and gritty vocals emerge on the rock ballad Sick of Sittin', on which Aguilera growls, "I ain't built for no fake shit", and this message echoes throughout Liberation.

Ultimately this album refuses to pander to new listeners, and is a callback to the music she's been making for almost 20 years.

Features from Demi Lovato (Fall in Line), Goldlink (Like I Do) and Ty Dolla $ign (Accelerate) are highlights, Aguilera's vocal gymnastics perfectly offset by each artist. She is every woman: a rock star, an R&B songstress and she even steps into reggaeton on Fall in Line.

Christina Aguilera is more empowered than ever, and her liberation makes for the perfect pop album.

 – KISH LAL