Chris Brown

In 2009, on the heels of his felony conviction in the beating of his then-girlfriend Rihanna, Chris Brown released Grafitti, a plodding album that included shrilly defensive responses to his infamy. This time, Brown takes a smarter approach: He’s concentrated on making great songs. F.A.M.E. boasts blockbuster hits (”˜Deuces,’ ”˜No Bullshit,’ ”˜Yeah 3X,’ ”˜Look at Me Now’) and shows Brown has a good nose for production: On ”˜Look at Me Now,’ he rocks with Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne over a sci-fi Orientalist beat from Diplo and Afrojack. F.A.M.E. is a pop ’n’ b album with something for everyone: bedroom ballads, dance-floor thumpers and even ”˜Next 2 You,’ a puppy-love declaration with guest vocals by Justin Bieber.

Key Tracks: ”˜Yeah 3X,’ ”˜No Bullshit,’ ”˜Look at Me Now’