Liberation

If Christina Aguilera's 2002 album, <i>Stripped</i>, was her definitive statement on sexuality and identity, <i>Liberation</i>, her first album in six years, is her declaration of independence. As executive producer, she takes full creative control here, choosing her collaborators and dipping her toes in new stylistic streams. Her versatility is on full display on “Right Moves”, a simmer-down reggae joint, and “Sick of Sittin’”, an acid-rock throwback on which she taps her inner Tina Turner. And the Kanye West-produced “Accelerate”, with Ty Dolla $ign and 2 Chainz, deepens her relationship with hip-hop. But even more central than these playful experiments are the empowering vibes that the mom of two unleashes throughout: “Dreamers” opens with a chorus of girls' voices stating their ambitions, and “Fall in Line” is a #MeToo anthem with Demi Lovato.