Prism is the fourth studio album by American singer Katy Perry. It was released by Capitol Records on October 18, 2013. While the album was initially planned to be "darker" than her previous material, Prism ultimately became a prominently dance-inspired record. The singer worked with several past collaborators, while enlisting new producers and guest vocals. Much of Prism revolves around the themes of living in the present, relationships, and self-empowerment. Critical response to Prism was generally mixed; many reviewers deemed the lyrical content more mature while others considered the album to be more formulaic than her previous material.
The album debuted atop the US Billboard 200 with 286,000 copies sold, becoming Perry's best opening week to date. The album also peaked at number one in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Prism became Perry's fastest-selling album, the second best-selling album in Australia in 2013, and the second best-selling album released by a woman in the United States in 2013.

OK Computer is the third studio album by the English alternative rock band Radiohead, released in 1997 on Parlophone and Capitol Records. OK Computer was the first self-produced Radiohead album, with assistance from Nigel Godrich. Radiohead recorded the album in Oxfordshire and Bath between 1996 and early 1997, with most of the recording completed in the historic mansion St Catherine's Court. The band made a deliberate attempt to distance themselves from the guitar-oriented, lyrically introspective style of their previous album, The Bends. OK Computer‍ '​s abstract lyrics, densely layered sound and wide range of influences laid the groundwork for Radiohead's later, more experimental work.
Upon the album's delivery to Capitol, label representatives lowered their sales estimates, deeming the record uncommercial. Nevertheless, OK Computer reached number one on the UK Albums Chart and became Radiohead's highest album entry on the American charts at the time, debuting at number 21 on the Billboard 200. Four songs from the album – "Paranoid Android", "Karma Police", "Lucky" and "No Surprises" – were released as promotional singles.

Save Rock and Roll is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Fall Out Boy. It was produced by Butch Walker and released April 12, 2013, through Island Records. On October 15, the album was re-released with PAX AM Days, an extended play the band recorded shortly after Save Rock and Roll's release. Following multiple touring stints, the members of Fall Out Boy decided to take a break at the end of 2009. During the hiatus, each member of the group pursued individual musical interests. The band felt it necessary to "decompress" and refrained from referring to the hiatus as a "breakup", acknowledging a possible return in the future.
After several reformation attempts the album was recorded in secrecy at Rubyred Recordings in Santa Monica, California, beginning in the fall of 2012. The album sessions were marked by a desire to reinvent the band's sound in a more modern form. The band brought in producer Butch Walker for a fresh approach, marking their first time without longtime producer Neal Avron. In the band's new form, each member of the quartet was involved in crafting the compositions, although sessions were initially difficult as they struggled to reconnect.

Tailgates & Tanlines is the third studio album by the American country music artist Luke Bryan. It was released on August 9, 2011, via Capitol Nashville. Bryan co-wrote eight of the album's thirteen tracks, including its first single, "Country Girl." American Songwriter called Tailgates & Tanlines "a soundtrack for fun and sun, along with an instantaneous cure for the summertime blues." The song "Too Damn Young" was originally performed by Julie Roberts on her 2006 album Men & Mascara.

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is the debut solo album by American recording artist Lauryn Hill, released on August 25, 1998, by Ruffhouse Records and Columbia Records. After touring with her former group Fugees, Lauryn Hill became involved in a serious relationship with Rohan Marley, and shortly after, became pregnant with his child. This pregnancy, as well as other circumstances, would inspire her to make a solo album. Recording sessions took place from late 1997 to June 1998, and were held mainly at Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica. Primarily a neo soul album, The Miseducation incorporates musical styles from R&B, hip hop, soul, and reggae. Its lyrics touch upon Hill's pregnancy and the turmoil in the Fugees, along with themes of love and God. The album's title was inspired by the film and autobiographical novel The Education of Sonny Carson, and Carter G. Woodson's The Mis-Education of the Negro.
The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 422,624 copies in its first week, which broke a record for first week sales by a female artist. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill produced three hit singles—"Doo Wop", "Ex-Factor", and "Everything Is Everything".

AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted is the debut studio album by rapper Ice Cube. It was released after his acrimonious split from his former group N.W.A. It was originally released on May 16, 1990. Primarily produced by Public Enemy's production team The Bomb Squad, the album was an unexpectedly large critical and commercial success, and remains one of the defining hip hop albums of the 1990s.