John Legend

John Legend is back with a second recording, and his Get Lifted fans will not be disappointed. With Once Again (G.O.O.D. Music/Sony/Columbia), the multitalented artist again thrills, entertains and inspires listeners with soulful, feel-good, sensual music. With the breezy “Save Room,” he has listeners swaying and tapping as he implores “save room for the love, save a little for me,” and that mood and tempo continue with “Each Day Gets Better,” an ode to enduring and endearing love. “Where Did My Baby Go” is another catchy yet romantic song that Legend says was in his “head for a long time,” while “Coming Home” is about a soldier who longs to return to his family. Another standout cut is the percolating, Kanye West-produced “Heaven Only Knows,” which evolved from a “sample and a drum loop [from West], and I started writing around it.” Legend’s debut Get Lifted was a huge hit, well-loved by fans of all music genres. Of Once Again, Legend says: “I want them to hear that I’ve grown. . . This album is an expansion . . . Get Lifted was me then. This is me now.”

Fred Hammond

Gospel superstar Fred Hammond affirms that he’s still on top of his praise music game with his new release, Free to Worship. Hammond, who celebrates 25 years in gospel music, four No. 1 gospel albums, and who founded contemporary groups Commissioned and Radical For Christ, gives music audiences more of what they love. Free to Worship includes traditional gospel titles, such as the upbeat “This is the Day” and the beautifully executed “No Greater Love.” The gospel singer also showcases his powerful vocals on “I Won’t Complain” and on “My Heart is For You,” which stirs the soul, while “L.O.U.D.L.O.U.D.” is a toe-tapping track that cranks things up a notch.