Colors

Jorja Smith built her debut from songs she wrote between 16 and 20, with “Blue Lights” at its centre. It is poised and well sung, but rarely stands apart from 2018 R&B.

Dawes made their sixth album in a rushed two weeks with Jonathan Wilson and put the darkest songs first. The opening holds up; the long, mellow run after it doesn't.

Stung by the reviews of Revival, Eminem answered with a surprise album aimed at critics and rivals. The technique holds up, but the grudge is all it has to say.

J. Cole wrote much of KOD on holiday, with no guest but a pitched-down alter ego. Its most praised songs share its flaws, and most of the rest runs flat.

Portugal. The Man scrapped three years of sessions, started over as the 2016 campaign turned ugly, and found “Feel It Still” in a 45-minute break.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z close the trilogy begun by Lemonade and 4:44 with a joint album that gives the marriage two songs and the money and status almost all the rest.