The Hype: The 2009 Crew (Part I)

With four months left until the end of 2009, what have we to say of the newcomers in pop this year?

KE$HA

She's best known as the rent-a-vocalist on Flo-Rida's hit single, 'Right Round'. But 22-year old American singer/songwriter, Ke$ha has plenty more tricks up her sleeve! A quick peek at her Myspace and you'll find everything from post-Fergie crunk ('TiK ToK') to spunky electro-rock ('Backstabber'). She's working that trashy, gutter queen look to great effect - and best of all it complements her punchy music. The girl's signed to RCA/JIVE and is apparently recording her album with Dr Luke (Kelly Clarkson) and Max Martin (Pink), due later this year. Her solo single, 'TiK ToK' will be despatched to radio on 15 September.

TOTAL WRITE OFF:

Ke$ha has already etched two Australian Top 10 hits to her name: Flo-Rida's 'Right Round' made #1 here and she co-wrote The Veronica's single, 'This Love' with Toby Gad.

GIRLS CAN'T CATCH:

Tag this as 'the new generation of British girl bands'. Just 12 months after Fascination Records successfully introduced The Saturdays, they're back to launch another pop girl group. Girls Can't Catch is a trio made up of singers on the "outskirts of the industry". One of the members, Phoebe, jumped ship from an X-Factor girl group called Hope. The other two must've just made good contacts. You immediately think, shit they're the new Atomic Kitten. But only when they're pit against an even feistier new pop trio, Dolly Rockers. There's a bit of a girl band overload in the UK right now and I'm raising both eyebrows. I'll be interested to see how this project fares. Girls Can't Catch's lead single, 'Keep Your Head Up' is due to chart tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed!

TOTAL WRITE OFF:

Girls Can't Catch's forthcoming album will feature contributions from Shaznay Lewis and Pixie Lott.

ANJULIE:

Canadian singer/songwriter, Anjulie is the latest serving from Starbucks' record label, Hear Music. It's exactly the kind of music you'd expect to hear at Starbucks while waiting for your soy latte. Anjulie's record is a sweet blend of acoustic music, gorgeous harmonies with a sprinkling of rhythm. It recalls Corinne Bailey Rae with the familiarity of early Nelly Furtado. A lazy, Sunday afternoon record that's quickly becoming one of my albums of the year. Anjulie's breakthrough single, 'Boom' topped the US Dance Club charts this month. The self-titled album was out on 4 August 2009.

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Anjulie co-wrote Kreesha Turner's Canadian Top 10 hit, Don't Call Me Baby. Another Show & Tell favourite of 2008.