Kidz Bop 25

Personnel: Gary Philips (guitar, piano, drum programming); Alexander Almgren (guitar, drum programming).
Audio Mixer: Gary Philips.
The tween party train that is Kidz Bop just keeps rolling along with Vol. 25 of their hugely popular compilation series. Getting the five-to-twelve-year-old treatment this time are freshly declawed versions of some of 2013's biggest (and often most controversial) smashes like Mylie Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball," Katy Perry's "Roar," and Lady Gaga's "Applause." The usual mix of slightly off-putting selections (Lorde's "Royals") and more age-appropriate bubble gum (One Direction's "Best Song Ever") can be found among the album's 16 tracks, showing that the ever-successful Kidz Bop formula remains intact. ~ Timothy Monger