Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

He sang on two of last year’s biggest records: Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” and Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines.” Now the seven-time Grammy winner is molten hot and ready for global domination with his second solo album. Packed full of pop hooks and endlessly funky, the 10 tracks find Pharrell teaming up with Justin Timberlake on the falsetto-drenched conga line of “Brand New” and Alicia Keys on the dreamy, ska-flavored “I Know Who You Are.” Also included is “Come Get it Bae,” a revved-up pairing with Miley Cyrus about popping wheelies on motorcycles. But this isn’t just a collection of superstar duets. The man with the Vivienne Westwood-designed Buffalo hat gets giddy on “Happy,” his Oscar-nominat...

One way or another, Blondie was bound to succeed. Fronted by Marilyn Monroe-lookalike Debbie Harry, the band topped the charts throughout the late 1970s and early ’80s with hits like “Heart of Glass” and “The Tide is High.” Harry, a onetime beautician and Playboy bunny, changed a generation’s sense of style with her unique approach to fashion—from thrift-store finds and Day-Glo outfits to biker leathers with leggings and cat suits with metallic make-up. Now 69, Harry keeps moving Blondie forward. The new wave sensations’ 10th album features plenty of cutting-edge dancefloor tracks, including “Sugar on the Side,” a sweet reggae number with Colombian stars Systema Solar, and a cover of Frankie...

Petra, Tanya and Rachel, the daughters of jazz great Charlie Haden, conjure up the ghosts of the past on this vocally rich, Ry Cooder-produced album. Singing old-timey songs like the Carter Family’s “Single Girl, Married Girl” in stirring close harmony, the sisters bring Grand Ole Opry tradition refreshingly up to date.

After splitting from her longtime manager and signing with Jay Z’s Roc Nation, Australia’s pop princess was ready for change. Her 12th album is that fresh start, from Pharrell Williams’ electro-r&b hybrid “I Was Gonna Cancel” to Sia Furler’s booty-shaker “Sexercise.” Like infectious disco therapy, Kylie assures that things are “going to be fine.”

With the title of his second bilingual album, the Spanish pop star doesn’t mince words. “I wanted to be straightforward,” admits Enrique, the 38-year-old son of superstar Julio Iglesias. “Sex and love are the themes that everybody relates to. When you hear music—ninety percent of the time—it derives from those two feelings.” Wasting no time, Enrique shows his one-track mind on the hyperactive “I’m a Freak,” with rapper Pitbull providing salacious asides, before expressing a sweeter side on the reggae-flavored “There Goes My Baby,” featuring Flo Rida, and “Beautiful,” his breathy duet with Aussie pop princess Kylie Minogue. Enrique, whose relationship with tennis star Anna Kournikova ended la...

The world’s hottest Hispanic star has a full plate outside of music: along with running her educational foundation, she regularly meets with global leaders and gives talks to Harvard and Oxford students. But it wasn’t Shakira’s activism that held up her 10th album, but the birth of her son, Milan, with Spanish soccer star Gerard Pique. The Colombian singer pays tribute to baby and boyfriend on her guitar ballad “23,” which she dedicates to the FC Barcelona star and includes the gurgling sound of their newborn. Elsewhere, Shakira aims for a country crossover on “Medicine,” a duet with fellow Voice coach Blake Shelton, and embraces a reggae groove on “Cut Me Deep.” Having topped charts with “W...

Born in Toronto to an Argentine father and Scottish mother, Ribera exposes both sides of her heritage here, from the sultry, cha-cha-cha charm of “No me sigas” to the haunting bagpipes of “Goodnight Persephone.” And how she turns the Proclaimers’ rousing, anthemic “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” into a slow, aching love song must be heard to be believed.

The Denver quartet’s fourth album is far cheerier than the last. “[That] was a dark time for us,” admits Fray guitarist Joe King. “With this record, we're having babies, I'm getting married (to Vampire Diaries star Candice Accola)—there's great things happening in life.” The newfound joy energizes every track, especially the irrepressible “Love Don’t Die.”

Her last solo album came out 17 years ago. Now the “Buffalo Stance” singer and mother of three is back with her eclectic style, mixing everything from avant pop and hip-hop to experimental free jazz. The album’s standout track is “Out of the Black,” an infectious slab of techno-tinged dance music featuring fellow Swedish star Robyn.

New Jersey’s favorite son is a road warrior, an artist whose marathon-like concerts are the stuff of legend. Even at 64, the iconic rocker shows no sign of letting up: later this month, he opens another world tour in South Africa. So it’s no surprise that Springsteen’s 18th studio album is a road record, largely made during his last global trek. There’s also previously unreleased studio material, some of which features Springsteen’s old sidekick, saxophonist Clarence Clemons, who died in 2011. There’s gospel exuberance on “Heaven’s Wall” and a stirring Celtic tinge on “This is Your Sword.” But the album’s best moments come during thrilling live performances of “American Skin (41 Shots),” Bru...