Story by Abigale Racine, Culture Editor
Photo courtesy of Flavorwire.com

It’s intimidating how much good, new music is being released this month. A couple of my favorite pop singers have both released stellar albums, which have been on repeat.

British songstress Leona Lewis opens a new chapter in her career and her life with her fifth, recently-released studio album I Am.

Lewis rose to stardom after winning singing competition show “X Factor” in 2006, with her rendition of Kelly Clarkson’s “A Moment Like This”, but she became a household name with the hit “Bleeding Love” that showcased her talents as a mezzo-soprano, and it became the top-selling single of 2008.

Now, after ending a long-term relationship with Simon Cowell’s label Syco Music, Lewis was empowered to branch off and make an alliance with Island Records.

Announcing the break-off to her fans via Twitter and Facebook, Lewis wrote, “Like most relationships we had our good times and our bad, I will always be grateful for what we shared and the lessons I learned. After several years, I thought about leaving over and over again. I was terrified about walking away from a somewhat secure relationship even though I knew that we were no longer right for each other and at times even bad for each other.”

She claimed that Syco had wanted her next album to be a compilation of covers rather than Lewis’ own original material, and she cited this reason for the parting of ways.

It was apparent even after the first listen to Lewis’ I Am, that the artist does not need the supervision of Simon Cowell to produce an incredible pop record.

I Am is a solid, well-developed album and opens strong with the empowering anthem “Thunder.”

Lewis belts, “I won’t wait any longer/When you left me down, I got stronger/If you want to wait for lightning/I’m on the horizon/Well, I’m coming back with the thunder.”

I believe this song to being the best on the album, as I have been listening to it non-stop. My apologies to anyone who follows me on Spotify and watches my feed.

To follow up “Thunder” is “Fire Under My Feet”, another power ballad and the first single released off of the record. The single demonstrates Lewis’ classical training, showing her impeccable pitch and vocal range.

Another notable, Whitney-esque track is “You Knew Me When.”

If this album is a flop, I will blame its failure on the collective mass interest in poor music.

Another one of my favorite pop divas dropped her third studio album, Honeymoon. Popular music’s favorite seductress, Lana Del Rey delivers yet another intoxication album that will be a timeless listen.

Del Rey is hypnotizing from the very beginning, with “Honeymoon” and “Music To Watch Boy To.”

My personal favorites off the records is the self-destructive tale of “God Knows I’ve Tried” and the dreamy track “Freak.”

Del Rey convinces listeners to drop everything, purchase a plane ticket and romance with her in “Freak”, crooning, “Baby, if you wanna leave/Come to California/Be a freak like me, too.”

Now, if you excuse me, I have to go pack my bags and go.