Can Chris Brown redeem himself on his sixth album?

Albums of the Week

"Songs of Innocence"

★★

After 2009's truly insipid "No Line on the Horizon," almost anything would have been an improvement, and U2 have upped their game slightly with "Songs of Innocence" — which was given away for free to anyone with an iTunes account last week.

The band has gone all the way back to their youths for inspiration, using family and friends as the jumping off point for cuts such as "Iris (Hold Me Close)," which lovingly references Bono's mother.

But even with these stirring reference points and the help of producers like Danger Mouse and Paul Epworth, too many of the songs lack dynamic and are products of a band unwilling to rock the boat.

The sound of a band phoning it in is deafening at times, especially on "California (There Is No End to Love)" and the bland radio-rock of "Every Breaking Wave." But at the cost of precisely zero dollars, you can at least say it's worth every cent.

Chris Brown

"X"

★★

The idea of Chris Brown showing humility isn't instantly believable, but on his long-delayed sixth album "X," there are shards of regret that occasionally peak through that cocksure arrogance that has landed him in so much trouble down the years.

On the serene Kendrick Lamar collaboration "Autumn Leaves," he holds a lonely inner monologue before the LA rapper admonishes him by coldly stating, "You reapin' what you sowed."

There's an obvious doubt over how genuine he's being emotionally, but from a musical standpoint, there's much less question over Brown's movement away from the cheesy euro-beats of 2012's "Fortune."

Nineties R&B is his jumping-off point on the smooth, slow-jam "Songs on 12 Play" and the catchy bounce of "Time for Love." The rehabilitation of Brown (as both an artist and a man) will be slow, but this is a small step in the right direction.

Downloads of the Week

Moon Hooch

"No. 6″

★★★

This New York trio is already an established sight and sound on the city's subways, particularly if you've ever taken the L train. But their second album, "This Is Cave Music," adds many more flourishes to their jazzy attack of sax and drums, including a wobbling, dubstep thrum that underpins this wildly enjoyable opening track.

Consider this a fine reward if you ever tossed them some spare change over the years.

Calvin Harris

"Blame" feat. John Newman

★★½

Featuring a monster hook from British soul singer John Newman, the Scottish DJ and EDM producer's rousing latest single is another ode to allure of night and a euphoric invite to sexual recklessness.

"I had no choice in this/I was the friend she missed," sings Newman with little regret. It's the future soundtrack to one-night stands the world over.

Fall Out Boy

"Centuries"

★★

The chest-slapping rock bombast of Fall Out Boy's new single feels like an attempt to finally shake off their image as weedy pop-punkers.

The Chicagoans sample Suzanne Vega's unmistakable "Tom's Diner" before asserting their ambition, as singer Patrick Stump hollers, "You will remember me/Remember me for centuries."

They huff and puff, but it's still hard to imagine Fall Out Boy blowing anyone's house down.

Alicia Keys

"We Are Here"

★

Apparently inspired by the impending birth of her second child, Alicia Keys has taken it upon herself to attempt to unite the world with a new song (released online via Facebook).

The result is ham-fisted piano ballad that simply lists the world's many current flashpoints (Gaza, Israel, Chicago) and issues a call for oneness.