Taylor Swift – 1989

Taylor Swift’s ’80s-inspired fifth studio effort is her first “official pop album,” with heavyweights like Max Martin, Shellback, Ryan Tedder, and Jack Antonoff helping construct a sleeker, glitzier sound. “Shake It Off” mimics “Hey Ya,” OutKast’s own pledge of allegiance to populism, and echoes of Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, and Belinda Carlisle can be heard throughout. 1989 is a juggernaut, as brash and brilliant as the lights of Times Square.