Haim - Don't Save Me

It's that time of year, so just brace yourselves, 'cause everyone and their mama is gonna be talking about what up-and-coming acts you should watch out for in 2013. I'm going to throw my support behind the three LA born and bred sisters that make up Haim. I first discovered Alana, Danielle, and Este's music this summer as I traveled through Europe and was immediately captivated by their debut EP, particularly the track Go Slow, which just simmers with retro goodness. I imagine that their debut album, which should be out in '13, will be filled with similarly remarkable cuts like the aforementioned and new single, Don't Save Me.

Mika - Underwater

Underwtaer is the 2nd single taken from Mika's new and third album The Origin of Love which is out now. I love the way the song builds up to that really powerful chorus. The video find Mika on top of and underwater, so I'd say that they've remained true to the song's title.

Icona Pop - We Got The World [SWE]

Swedish duo Icona Pop caused a stir last year when they released their debaucherous anthem I Love It. Caroline & Aino, the two talented ladies who compose the band, have jusrt released their self-titled debut album in their native land. Like their name suggests, their music is Pop with a capital 'P', but still very clever. Songs like We Got The World are absolutely ready for radio.

Non Tiq - Love Machine [SWE]

Sweden's legacy as the home of stellar pop music continues with this new track and video from singer, Non Tiq (stage name of Nora Lindkvist). It's oozing with cool sex appeal and the video features some remarkable gesticulations.

Ansiktet - För Stor [SWE]

Last winter I fell head over heels for the song Äckligt by newcomers, Ansiktet. The duo are inspired by 80/90's pop boybands in their lyrics and overall sound, but visually they completely veer from the bubblegum mold. They released their latest single För Stor (Too Big) late this summer and I've been listening to it constantly. The video, like their last, will leave you guessing.

Mutine - Pose tes mains [FRA]

Mutine are a French duo who have a penchant for pop. Their 2nd single Pose tes mains (lay your hands) is a romantic and simple track that goes from mild to just a little bit wild.

Olly Murs feat. Flo Rida - Troublemaker

Borrowing from the musical stylings of Maroon 5, Olly looks to return to the UK charts with his single Troublemaker. It also serves as another attempt by the successful X Factor alum to score a hit Stateside with help of marmite rapper Flo Rida.

Girls Aloud - Something New

Once upon a time there were five little girls who won a TV talent contest and went on to have six years of consecutive top 10 singles in a magical kingdom called Britain. But then the Dark Days came, and the girls decided that they had to go their separate ways. Three of the girls tried solo efforts, one went to rehab, and the other presented on telly. Then they realized that it was 10 years since they first came together and a proper reunion was necessary. The people of the kingdom cheered and the flame was reignited that no man could extinguish. The End.

Ashley Walters feat. Alesha Dixon - Your Love [UK]

Ashley Walters, formerly of the UK's So Solid Crew, has teamed up with chanteuse Alesha Dixon for Your Love which is both a sweet and particularly catchy piece of radio pop. It's out November 11th.

Lisa Mitchell - Bless This Mess [AUS]

When Lisa Mitchell decides to make a video, she and her crew seek to make a strong visual impact each and every time (see: Coin Laundry & Spiritus). Bless This Mess is the title track from Lisa's upcoming sophomore album which is a follow-up to her debut Wonder, a work of art that received heavy play on my iPod back in 2009-2010.

Marina And The Diamonds - How To Be A Heartbreaker

Heartbreaker is the fourth single from Marina's Electra Heart era. What I consistently enjoy about Marina is that she makes "smart pop". One can tell that she engages critically with the world of popular culture and is comfortable being both pensive and cheeky in a highly appealing way. The video, which was shot in Scandinavia, features a bevvy of drenched male model types who fall prey to Marina's feminine wiles. It's unfortunate that she has still yet to manage to score a radio hit here in the States, while her single Primadonna made waves across other global music charts.

A*M*E - Play The Game Boy [UK]

After teasing us with several buzz tracks this past year, A*M*E is poised to release her official debut Play The Game Boy on November 5th. The video with its colorful, bright, and energetic look compliments the electronic beats of the track, exhibiting a video game feel worthy of the Nintendo device.

Dragonette - Live In This City

Decked in denim and taking a stroll through the wild streets of Toronto, Ontario, we find Canada's finest Dragonette in their new video for single Live In This City. I've gotten a chance to check out their third album Bodyparts which is out next week worldwide and it's another outstanding work of quality pop from beginning to end.

Kristina Miltiadou - Heartstrings [AUS]

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Melbourne singer Kristina Miltiadou has seemingly dropped out of nowhere today to greet the world with her delectable single Heartstrings. It's a simple song and video, but it's the kind of stuff that will have folks wanting more once they have a listen and themselves a gander.

Jez Dior - Candles

Take some hip-hop rhymes and let them simmer with some indie vocals and you've got Candles by LA based rapper Jez Dior. Using a sample from the band Daughter, (who I thankfully discovered last year thanks to Grey's Anatomy) Dior manages to create a rather outstanding track. It will be featured on his upcoming Scarlett Sage mixtape.

Lianne La Havas - Forget [UK]

Lianne La Havas is one of the UK's most successful new acts. Her debut album Is Your Love Big Enough peaked at number four in the charts and has garnered tons of critical acclaim. The twenty-three year old London singer packs an emotional punch with her songs even though her vocals are often subtle. Forget was originally on one of Lianne's EPs and the guitar riffs and tempo should propel you to do more than just sit and listen.

Evermore - Follow The Sun [AUS]

Coming to us from the Pacific is a band I've never heard of before, even though they've been on the scene for more than a decade. Evermore more hail from New Zealand but are based in Australia where they have managed to garner praise and acclaim on both sides of the Tasman Sea. Their latest single Follow The Sun includes a snare drum, an instrument that I've always been a sucker for and a dash of synth, another favorite. It's uplifting and would do well in the States where "indie" is becoming increasingly part of the mainstream.

Ed Drewett - Summer [UK]

For those of you not in the know, Ed Drewett is a talented songwriter who has penned a number of tunes for artists across the pond. He's the wordsmith behind Glad You Came, the single that shot boyband The Wanted to global levels of success this year. Drewett has attempted to forge a career as a performer, but it hasn't quite gotten off the ground [see: Champagne Lemonade]. But Summer is with it's effervescent, almost Afro-pop influence may just be what need to get through these last few weeks of the season and get folks interested in the man behind the hits.

Jenifer - Sur le fil [FRA]

 
Sur le fil is the return single from Jenifer, one of my favorite French artists for almost a decade. It's an infectious pop track with a disco flair that's gone top 40 in France and Belgium this summer. 

The Other Tribe - Skirts [UK]

I was really pleased to stumble upon this video for new band The Other Tribe. The group is made up of six young guys who met in Bristol, England and based on the single Skirts, which is out next month for download, I think they may have a bright future ahead of them. If you're a fan of the uptempo, rhythmic nature of Friendly Fires, this should be right up your alley.