Nas, NASIR | Album Review
![Nas, NASIR [📷: Mass Appeal / Def Jam]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nas-nasir-mass-appeal-def-jam.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Following a six-year hiatus, Grammy-nominated rap icon Nas finally returns with his highly-anticipated 11th studio album, ‘NASIR.’

Sifting through all of the musical hype

Sifting through all of the musical hype
![Nas, NASIR [📷: Mass Appeal / Def Jam]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nas-nasir-mass-appeal-def-jam.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Following a six-year hiatus, Grammy-nominated rap icon Nas finally returns with his highly-anticipated 11th studio album, ‘NASIR.’
![Dan + Shay, Dan + Shay [📷: Warner Nashville]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/dan-shay-warner-bros.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Country duo Dan + Shay enlist Kelly Clarkson for “Keeping Score,” the fifth single from their self-titled, third studio album.
![Bebe Rexha, Expectations [📷: Warner]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/bebe-rexha-expectations-warner-bros.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Following a ‘slow but steady’ rise to pop success, Bebe Rexha returns with “I’m a Mess,” the presumed final advance single from debut LP, ‘Expectations.’
![GoldLink, Got Friends [Photo Credit: RCA]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/goldlink-got-friends-rca.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Grammy-nominated rapper GoldLink enlists Grammy-winning R&B artist Miguel for the assist on his new, woman-centric single, “Got Friends.”
![Christina Aguilera, Liberation [📷: RCA]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/christina-aguilera-liberation-rca.jpg?fit=768%2C768&ssl=1)
After a six-year hiatus, pop superstar Christina Aguilera returns with her sixth studio album, ‘Liberation.’ Although imperfect, it has some great moments.
![Alessia Cara, Growing Pains [Photo Credit: Def Jam]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/alessia-cara-growing-pains-def-jam.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
While urban-pop standout Alessia Cara may be experiencing “Growing Pains” personally, she doesn’t show it on her fine comeback single.
![The Carters, Everything is Love [📷 : Columbia]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/beyonce-jay-z-everything-is-love-columbia.jpg?fit=750%2C750&ssl=1)
Beyoncé and Jay-Z (The Carters) have the entire world shook with their surprise collaborative studio album, ‘EVERYTHING IS LOVE.’
![15 Latin-Infused, Latin-Pop Songs [Photo Credits: Atlantic, Epic, Island, Republic, Sony, Universal]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/15-latin-infused-latin-pop-songs.jpg?fit=768%2C768&ssl=1)
“15 Thrilling Latin-Infused, Latin-Pop Songs” features songs courtesy of Camila Cabello, Cardi B, J Balvin, Jennifer Lopez, and Maluma among others.
![Nicki Minaj, Queen [Photo Credit: Cash Money]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nicki-minaj-queen-cash-money.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Nicki Minaj drops the third single from his highly-anticipated fourth studio album, ‘Queen.’ On “Bed,” she enlists Ariana Grande for the assist.
![Troye Sivan, Bloom [📷: Capitol]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/troye-sivan-bloom-lp-capitol.jpg?fit=768%2C768&ssl=1)
Troye Sivan makes sweet music with Ariana Grande on “Dance to This,” the fourth single from his highly-anticipated sophomore album, ‘Bloom.’
![10 Other-Worldly Songs That Reference Aliens [Photo Credits: Atlantic, Capitol, Columbia, Loma Vista, Pixabay, RCA]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/10-other-worldy-songs-that-reference-aliens.jpg?fit=768%2C768&ssl=1)
“11 Captivating Songs That Reference Aliens” features songs from artists including Coldplay, Katy Perry, and MGMT among others.
![Sabrina Carpenter, Almost Love [Photo Credit: Hollywood]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/sabrina-carpenter-almost-love-hollywood.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Teen actress and pop artist Sabrina Carpenter surprises on her infectious, ‘relatively’ innocent single about her desires, “Almost Love.”
![As I Lay Dying, My Own Grave [Photo Credit: As I Lay Dying]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/as-i-lay-dying-my-own-grave.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
With the return of Tim Lambesis, San Diego metalcore band returns with a heavy, angst-filled single, “My Own Grave,” their first new music in six years.
![Cheat Codes, Level 1 (EP) [Photo Credit: 300 Entertainment]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/cheat-codes-level-1-300.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
L.A., Cali DJ/production trio Cheat Codes absolutely ‘kill it’, taking it ‘next level’ on their debut, six-song EP, ‘Level 1.’
![Big Freedia, 3rd Ward Bounce [Photo Credit: Asylum Worldwide]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/big-freedia-3rd-ward-bounce-asylum-worldwide.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
New Orleans bounce musician Big Freedia returns chocked-full of attitude, energy, and feistiness on her electrifying EP, ‘3rd Ward Bounce.’

Following a six-year hiatus, popular, eclectic rock band Dave Matthews Band, comes back in top-notch form on ‘Come Tomorrow.’
![11 Colorful Songs About Various Bugs [Photo Credits: Interscope, MCA Nashville, Pixabay, Sub Pop, Warner Bros.]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/11-colorful-songs-about-various-bugs.jpg?fit=768%2C768&ssl=1)
Artists gracing “11 Colorful Songs About Various Bugs” include Blake Shelton, Kacey Musgraves, Red Fang, Wolf Parade, and Zedd among others.
![Yellow Claw, New Blood [Photo Credit: Barong Family]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/yellow-claw-new-blood-barong-family.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Yellow Claw continues releasing singles in advance of their new album, ‘New Blood.’ “Public Enemy” pairs the Dutch duo with DJ Snake.

Interpol returns after a four-year hiatus with its sixth studio album, ‘Marauder.’ The dark, spirited “The Rover” serves as the set’s promo single.
![Jeremih & Ty Dolla $ign, The Light [Photo Credits: Def Jam / Atlantic]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/jeremih-ty-dolla-sign-the-light-def-jam-atlantic.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Jeremih and Ty Dolla $ign start the summer off right with the groovy, if shallow sex record, “The Light.” It’s not deep, but it’s certainly lit.
![DeJ Loaf & Leon Bridges, Liberated [Photo Credit: Columbia]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/dej-loaf-leon-bridges-liberated-columbia.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Rapper/Singer DeJ Loaf and throwback soul singer Leon Bridges make a formidable team on the socially-conscious single, “Liberated.”
![Ruel, Ready (EP) [📷: RCA]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ruel-ready-rca.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
15-year old Australian pop singer Ruel sounds more mature beyond his years on “Younger,” an advanced single from his debut EP, ‘Ready.’
![Marshmello, Tell Me [Photo Credit: Joytime Collective]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/marshmello-tell-me-joytime-collective.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
‘Goin’ solo’ without a vocal collaborator on his latest release, Marshmello impresses on his brief, but jam-packed instrumental single, “Tell Me.”
![Why Don't We, Hooked [Photo Credit: Signature/Atlantic]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/why-dont-we-hooked-signature-atlantic.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Boy band Why Don’t We are ‘innocently naughty’ on their innuendo-heavy new single, “Hooked.” Despite her bad reputation, the boys are ‘hooked.’
![Lykke Li, so sad so sexy [Photo Credit: RCA]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/lykke-li-so-sad-so-sexy-rca.jpg?fit=768%2C761&ssl=1)
Swedish alternative pop standout Lykke Li returns following a four-year hiatus with a short-but-sweet fourth studio album, ‘so sad so sexy.’
![15 Songs That Reference Stars [Photo Credits: Atlantic, Capitol, Domino, Def Jam, Interscope, Pixabay]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/15-songs-that-reference-stars.jpg?fit=768%2C768&ssl=1)
Playlist “15 Songs That Reference Stars” features songs courtesy of Arctic Monkeys, Bazzi, and Kendrick Lamar & SZA, among others.
![Prince, Piano & A Microphone [Photo Credit: Warner Bros.]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/prince-piano-a-microphone-1983-warner-bros.jpg?fit=768%2C768&ssl=1)
A stunning piano-accompanied interpretation of the spiritual “Mary Don’t Weep” provides further support for the absolute genius of the late, great Prince.