Whether you've been waiting for the new tunes from a former boy bander or some funky Austin rockers, here are the Top 5 records you should pick up today!

Zayn Malik - 'Mind of Mine'

Since he parted ways with One Direction, Zayn Malik has been one of the most talked about human beings on the planet. And if we're not talking about who he's dating or his hair color, we're sure discussing what his new sound will be. But the wait is finally over, and his highly anticipated Mind of Mine drops today! Working with Grammy-winning producer James “Malay” Ho, Zayn has tried to keep most of the new stuff under wraps but has shared a number of tracks with fans. Taking the idea of alternative R&B to heart, Zayn goes for ambient vibes and uncensored lyrics, especially on "PILLOWTALK." While he channels Miguel on "BeFoUr," he goes for a bass-heavy dance feel on his latest, "LIKE I WOULD." Based off what he's released already, Zayn really pulled a 180 compared to his work with 1D. And that's just fine.

Birdy - 'Beautiful Lies'

After wowing us with her last two albums, Birdy is back with Beautiful Lies, which is her best yet. While she's still navigating her way into adulthood, the almost-20-year-old explores the ups and downs of growing up. Inspired by Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha, you hear the vulnerability and, at times, heartbreaking honesty that will make this the perfect soundtrack for anyone going through "growing pains," which is the title of the LP's opening track, or bring you back to that moment when you had no idea what you were doing in your life. Piano-driven tracks like "Deep End" and "Lost It All" will whisk you away on a fluffy melodic cloud and make you feel that everything will get better. While ballads are clearly her strong suit, that doesn't mean there aren't any uptempo ones. Her single, "Keeping Your Head Up," and "Lifted," a deeper cut, are ones will not only lift your spirits but also move your body as well.

White Denim - 'Stiff'

Gone are the days of staccato guitar licks and raw drumming that we heard on 2007's Let's Talk About It, White Denim has gone for bluesy rock with their latest album, Stiff. With their shift in sound (that seemed like a long time coming), the Austin rock band eases you into it with "Had 2 Know (Personal)." Its intro has that psychedelic rock that we heard in the past but moves into a funky groove that reminds us that brings out their southern routes. You quickly get that feeling as the album progresses with "Holda You (I'm Psycho)" while "There's a Brain in My Head" takes you back to '70s era Beatles. Perhaps the biggest surprised on this record is "Take It Easy (Ever After Lasting Love)." Frontman James Petralli really channels old school R&B soul on this one. Relying on his falsetto, James brings out his inner Smokey Robinson on this one and proves that even a rocker can be the sweetest of crooners.

K. Michelle - 'More Issues Than Vogue'

Listen to K. Michelle's music, and it feels like you're reading her diary. Known for drawing from her own personal experiences, she continues that streak with her third record, More Issues Than Vogue. Despite the cheeky title, Michelle uses the bad experiences she's had with love to not only show her what she doesn't want but also make her an even stronger woman than she was before. Songs like "Not a Little Bit" and "These Men" convey how tired she is of all the bullshit she gets from the liars, cheaters and players out there. She's explained via social media that this record isn't just a form of catharsis but is dedicated to all her female fans out there. Although she's known for her slow jams, K. Michelle gets sassy on tunes like "Got 'Em Like" and "Mindful," where we get to hear K. Michelle spitting a few bars. More Issues Than Vogue is the ultimate girl power soundtrack.

The Thermals - 'We Disappear'

With more than a decade of experience and six albums under their belts, The Thermals return with their latest record, We Disappear. As Kathy Foster told us at lunch, the new album is a bit more dynamic than their previous LP, 2013's Desperate Ground. Playing with different guitar riffs and a plethora of tempos thanks to drummer Westin Glass, The Thermals show a range that will not only satisfy their longtime fans but also welcome the new rock lovers out there. While still keeping things on the lo-fi and noisy end, "Thinking of You" has that punk vibe mixed with vocal harmonies, which sound refreshing. However, "Hey You" is the track that will make you bounce off the walls. During a time where rock records can get lost in the shuffle, The Thermals prove that they should never be forgotten and still have a helluva lot more to offer.