New Music Tuesday: Kacey Musgraves, Janet Jackson, And More

By Michael Cerio

Give me a beat.

Before we take a look at some new albums for you to enjoy this week, can we take a second to talk about Janet, Miss Jackson if you're nasty?

The comeback is on.

After announcing a world tour and a new album, Janet Jackson has now released her first single since 2009. "No Sleep" is slinky and sexy, like Velvet Rope era Janet. Spoiler alert, she's in full Miss Jackson mode here. Somebody's having a baby named Janet in March. It's just math.

Elsewhere in the music world…

Kacey Musgraves – Pageant Material

Kacey Musgraves is a rebel in the world of country music. She steers clear of some typical genre memes and instead speaks truths emotionally and socially. It works. It works so well it won her a Grammy the last time out with Same Trailer Different Park. The same songwriting talents are on display again for Pageant Material, but with a more traditional backing. As she says in the title track, "I'd rather lose for what I am, then win for what I ain't." It's that sense of self and bluntness that's become a hallmark of Musgraves, and what makes her so endearing.

Leon Bridges – Coming Home

The ghost of Sam Cooke lives within Leon Bridges. For his debut Coming Home, Bridges channels 60's soul in a way that feels authentic and real. He's a time traveler. The Fort Worth singer glides over 10 songs that all would feel at home in a different time.

Breaking Benjamin – Dark Before Dawn

Remember Breaking Benjamin? Sure you do. The Wilkes-Barre band is back with its fifth album Dark Before Dawn, it's first since 2009. It's a journey that, well, broke up Benjamin. Singer Benjamin Burnley is the only remaining original member of the band after legal issues and creative differences forced them apart. So here we have a new collection of Breaking Benjamin songs, perfect for people that already like Breaking Benjamin, or kids that get kicked out of the Wyoming Valley Mall.

Tori Kelly – Unbreakable Smile

Tori Kelly is finally getting the credit she deserves. She's slogged through TV singing competitions like American Idol and America's Most Talented Kids, she's been a YouTube star at age 14, and now finally people are sitting up and taking notice. Unbreakable Smile is supported by the infectious "Nobody Love", which is Kelly's first hit single after years of working towards it. The album takes the same cue, with a little help from Ed Sheeran and LL Cool J. Ladies happen to love both of them, and likely will Tori Kelly as well.

Also out this week is some protest rock from Conor Oberst side project Desaparecidos with Payola, and some alt relic rock from Wolf Alice's "My Love Is Cool". Happy listening. Be careful.