Kingdom Come

The verdict on Kingdom Come, Jay-Z's return to active lyrical duty? The Jigga man's still got it, teaming up with friends old (Pharrell, Kanye, Dre, and Beyoncé) and new (Chris Martin, who thankfully sticks to singing) for one of the year's best albums. Elsewhere, Snoop Dogg unleashes Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, yet another ode to women and weed, while indie oddball Sufjan Stevens waxes yuletide on his new box set, Songs for Christmas.