BEYONCÉ [Platinum Edition]

The surprise drop that changed release strategy forever — but the album itself is the real coup: Beyoncé's sleekest, most adult record, with "Drunk in Love" and "Partition" reclaiming desire on her terms and "***Flawless" putting Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on pop radio. Visual gimmick aside, the songwriting is razor-sharp throughout.