5 Comeback Albums That Revived Careers & 5 That ENDED Them
Welcome to MsMojo, and today were counting down our picks for the albums artists released after a few years away, and lets just say some were more successful than others.
#5: Terrible: This Is Me Now (2024)
Jennifer Lopez
Timing wasnt kind to J. Los 2024 comeback. Her first album in a decade flopped with critics and listeners. Released alongside a documentary and visual album, This Is Me Now was supposed to show a more mature, wisened version of Jenny from the Block. Reviews were quick to point out that the album didnt necessarily reflect that maturity. The songs seem stuck between the dance anthems shes known for and something a bit more high-minded and poetic. It didnt help that the inspiration for the album, her marriage to Ben Affleck, was over less than six months after its release.
#5: Great: Rainbow (2017)
Kesha
Not only was this a major departure from her party girl persona, but Keshas 2017 comeback album had a meta-narrative that was evident in its heavy and poignant themes. This was her first record outside the purview of Dr. Luke, the producer whom she was suing for years of abuse. Rainbow is a battle cry of empowerment and freedom. She dabbles in several different genres and sounds without it ever coming across messy or unfocused. From its incredible lead single, Praying, to its eclectic styles, Kesha completely reinvented herself, and we were so happy to have her back.
#4: Terrible: Britney Jean (2013)
Britney Spears
Things werent looking good for this album from the beginning. Britney Jean was given all the rollout of a Soundcloud mixtape. This new era was meant to be a more personal one for Britney Spears. Despite its name, Britney Spears 2013 album, her second comeback in five years, was deemed generic and completely outdated. The producers are more visible than the artist herself. With themes about the loneliness of fame, this wasnt exactly new territory for Spears, and most of what it was trying to do had already been done on her track, Lucky, years before.
#4: Great: Circus (2008)
Britney Spears
Its safe to say the mid-2000s were not kind to Britney Spears. Naysayers and rubberneckers were certain her career was over before Circus blessed our ears. Yes, it was classic Britney, and that was more than enough. But with uptempo dance hits like Womanizer, Circus, and the hilariously controversial If U Seek Amy, she stomped back into the mainstream with a vengeance. The best thing about it is that, after all the terrible things shed endured, Spears music had a tongue-in-cheek humor about it all. Its commentary and self-parody dipped in an electronic, beat-heavy dance-pop coating.
#3: Terrible: In My Defense (2019)
Iggy Azalea
Although the Australian rapper was dogged by negative criticism and accusations of cultural appropriation, Iggy Azalea had one of the biggest hits of 2014. There was nowhere to run and nowhere to hide when Fancy came out. But her star faded, and she wouldnt release another album until 2019. In My Defense was released independently, and a label is not the only thing its missing. Despite being full of lyrics that suggest shes developed a hard edge, few were buying it. Critics immediately pointed out that the songs didnt feel authentic to Azaleas voice as an artist.
#3: Great: American Idiot (2004)
Green Day
In 2004, punk rock had a lot to rebel against. Born out of this uncertainty and resentment, American Idiot is Green Days magnum opus. Despite being almost in the game for more than 15 years, the band still found a way to give an authentically forceful voice to youthful disillusionment and anti-establishment sentiment. Overtly political and dripping with ironic anger, the album tells a larger, allegorical story about the United States, corporatism, and the spiritual damage done by war. Rambunctious and explosive at some points and mournful at others, its a well-balanced meal of music and defiant spirit.
#2: Terrible: 143
Katy Perry
The pop star turned American Idol judges new era started with a thud and just got worse from there. Lead single Womans World inspired little more than confusion and vitriol. Unfortunately, most reviewers didnt find anything else to like on 143. The phrase car crash was even used in one review. Apart from the low quality, Perrys decision to work with Dr. Luke, even after multiple allegations against him, didnt make anyone want to see the best in it. In the end, the album just feels like a retread of ideas the artist already covered and the world seems to have moved on from.
#2: Great: The Emancipation of Mimi (2005)
Mariah Carey
When her first starring role in a film turned out to be anything but glittering, Mariah Carey was essentially putting her career on pause while she licked her wounds. She came back with an album that shattered records and reintroduced the elusive chanteuse to her public. The Emancipation of Mimi is hit after hit. Marrying her pop and R&B sound with dance and hip hop, its an album that perfectly captures that mid-2000s moment. Emancipation showcases her iconic whistle notes and her underrated lyrics, topping lists of the years best releases and even made Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums list in 2020.
#1: Terrible: Hard to Swallow (1998)
Vanilla Ice
Few people have ever seen as many accusations of fakery and inauthenticity in rap music like Vanilla Ice. As a result, the Ice Ice Baby rapper tried to reinvent himself in the late 90s. With Hard to Swallow, he titled more toward the rap-metal hybrid genre that was quickly dominating the charts. His angrier, more hardcore sound just reveals his weaknesses as a performer. Ices takedowns of the critics who doubted him was, unsurprisingly, met with even more skepticism and hostility by music critics this time around. With a title like Hard to Swallow, the jokes write themselves.
#1: Great: Private Dancer (1984)
Tina Turner
In the aftermath of her divorce from the abusive Ike Turner, the Proud Mary singer was relegated to the status of a novelty act. Then, she was signed by Capitol Records, and the second half of her legendary career took off. Private Dancer is wall to wall bangers, including the seductive title song. The second U.S. single, Whats Love Got to Do with It, instantly became her signature song. Taking her distinctive rasp from rhythm and blues to an 80s rock sound, the album was the starting gun for one of the greatest comeback stories in popular music.
Whats your favorite pop music comeback? Let us know in the comments.
