Various Artists NOW 46

When the U.S. Now series' 46th volume was released, during the first week of May 2013, it featured only one song -- P!nk's "Just Give Me a Reason," featuring Fun.'s Nate Reuss -- that had reached the top of Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Justin Timberlake's classy/hammy "Suit & Tie" and Pitbull's in-character "Feel This Moment" (featuring Christina Aguilera) were the only other inclusions to have reached the Top 10. However, several songs appeared to still be on the way up, such as Bruno Mars' early-'80s flavored "Locked Out of Heaven," Fall Out Boy's triumphant return "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)," and Ariana Grande's Mariah Carey-indebted "The Way." Once again, there's little in the way of R&B and country. The two rap inclusions (Nelly's "Hey Porsche" and Ludacris' "Rest of My Life") are forced in, contributed by MCs past their commercial peak; neither song cracked the Top 40. The set's "What's Next" ending section of potential hitmakers -- not exactly an incubator for gold and platinum smashes, historically -- features its best entry yet with Sky Ferreira's seven-month-old "Everything Is Embarrassing." ~ Andy Kellman

• Format: CD
• Genre: V/A Compilations