2018 made for a fascinating year in pop: it was the year BTS conquered America, the year we saw the emergence of queer stars in the making like Troye Sivan and Christine and the Queens, and featured the returns of Robyn, Rae Morris, and Rita Ora.

Ariana Grande Sweetener Ariana Grande matures on the focused and fine Sweetener.

BTS Love Yourself: Answer Third and final installment of the love-and-loss narrative arc finds the K-pop group at the top of its game.

Camila Cabello Camila The debut album from the former Fifth Harmony singer is a vibrant production, buoyed by several Latin-influenced pop tracks inspired by her Cuban roots.

Capital Cities Solarize Sun-washed set of irresistibly catchy, futuristic synth-disco from the funky Los Angeles duo.

Christine and the Queens Chris The singer/songwriter's triumphant second album borrows from '80s R&B and questions gender roles, engaging minds, hearts, and bodies along the way.

Clean Bandit What Is Love? Hit-filled effort that finds the trio leaning more into dance grooves than the classical crossover sound of their breakthrough.

Confidence Man Confident Music for Confident People Irrepressibly fun debut from the Australian party-starting quartet that takes cues from Scissor Sisters and LCD Soundsystem.

David Guetta 7 Celebratory seventh set from the French DJ marries another stacked roster of guests with his propulsive pop-house confections.

Dita Von Teese Dita Von Teese The burlesque icon's collaboration with Sebastien Tellier delivers sparkling fantasy pop that's equally evocative and provocative.

Hearts Hearts Goods/Gods The Austrian band's arty and kinetic sophomore album mixes electronics, synths, and horns to atmospheric effect.

James Bay Electric Light James Bay ditches handsome classicism for brightly colored pop on his excellent second album.

Kimbra Primal Heart The singer's consistently winning third album hits the sweet spot between imagination and accessibility.

Little Mix LM5 The foursome delivers a sophisticated fifth album of edgy R&B with a strong feminist message.

Panic! At the Disco Pray for the Wicked The band's sixth studio album is a flamboyant collection of pop anthems infused with R&B, hip-hop, and Rat Pack swagger.

Perfume Future Pop Sixth set of synth-washed digital dance confections from the Japanese techno pop trio.

Rae Morris Someone Out There A bright, reinvigorated return from a singer who twists the confines of pop to match her personality.

Rita Ora Phoenix After a six-year limbo, the English pop singer returned triumphant with this effervescent sophomore effort.

Robyn Honey Returning from years of grief and healing, the pop mastermind delivers some of her most satisfying and innovative music.

Shawn Mendes Shawn Mendes Shawn Mendes dives deeper into slick, soulful pop on this bright, shiny record.

The Neighbourhood The Neighbourhood Flourescent '80s synths color the Los Angeles band's icy yet pop-savvy third album.

Troye Sivan Bloom The budding LGBT icon comes into his own on this brave and unapologetic set celebrating queer love.