Nicki Minaj leaves her mark with ‘Pinkprint’

Albums of the week

Nicki Minaj

"The Pinkprint"
★★★

Her big-butt anthem "Anaconda" was a summer smash — now that Nicki Minaj has everyone's attention (with what was practically a novelty track) the New Yorker serves up a surprisingly introspective and atmospheric third album, "The Pinkprint." The confessions begin early with opener "All Things Go," which finds Minaj reflecting on how her fame has soured familial relationships ("since I got fame, they don't act the same"). "I Lied" is a powerful R&B slow jam that shows an uncommon vulnerability. Older fans will also be glad to hear that she still has the quick tongue and bawdy humor of old; the Beyoncé duet "Feeling Myself" is a G-funk hymn to the female G-spot and "Only" (featuring Drake, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown) is graphic enough to make a porn star blush. She's still Nicki, but the person is now just as big as the persona.

Charli XCX

"Sucker"
★★

On Charli XCX's second album, "Sucker," the Brit sometimes sounds less like a pop star and more like a snake oil saleswoman. It's difficult to listen to the watered down new-wave of "London Queen" or the dumb punk gestures of "Breaking Up" and believe they're genuinely great songs, but she sells them with so much attitude and defiance it's hard not to get swept up in the excitement, anyway. Fans of "Boom Clap" (from the "The Fault In Our Stars" soundtrack) won't find too many sound-alikes, but Charli proves she's got more potential synth-pop hits up her sleeve with the bewitching "Doing It." The real appeal of "Sucker" is how it makes you want to rebel, even if you haven't got anything to rebel against.

Downloads of the week

Coldplay

"Miracles"
★

Following the dull electronics of their last album, "Ghost Stories," Chris Martin and company have momentarily reverted to the bland indie-rock tricks of old. Taken from the Angelina Jolie-directed war flick "Unbroken," "Miracles" is Coldplay-by-numbers — but with added finger snaps. They're capable of so much more, but right now, the Brits are unwilling to try.

J. Cole

"G.O.M.D."
★★

Cole's near-constant reminiscing on his third album "2014 Forest Hills Drive" can get a little wearing. But on "G.O.M.D.," the North Carolina rapper (and Jay Z devotee) weaves his lyrical dexterity around a hypnotic vocal loop and a forceful hook, helping his tales sound more vivid and compelling than normal.

The Smashing Pumpkins

"Being Beige"
★★½

Just because the Smashing Pumpkins don't sound exactly as they did in 1993 isn't necessarily a bad thing. New album "Monuments to an Elegy" is no classic, but when the Chicago alt-rockers meld melody and power as they do on the serene "Being Beige," dwelling on the band's past begins to feel like a waste of time.

Lion Babe feat. Childish Gambino

"Jump Hi"
★★½

Half of New York duo Lion Babe is Jillian Hervey — daughter of Vanessa Williams — and judging by the dreamy R&B of their self-titled debut EP, the apple hasn't fallen too far from the tree. Standout track "Jump Hi" has a carefree bounce that makes summertime seem much closer than it is, and props go to Childish Gambino for dropping in a reference to Ashy Larry, one of comic Dave Chappelle's more obscure characters.

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