Listen to 68 tracks that made major statements, boosted big beefs, propelled up-and-comers and soundtracked the party this year. By Jon Pareles Jon Caramanica and Lindsay Zoladz Jon Pareles Here’s a ...

Music critics—myself included—have spent much of the past several years bemoaning the decline of capital-“E” Events in music: no new superstars to crown, no more tentpole albums to unify us, no more ...