David Miah

Mix together Britney, Max Martin and a dubstep break and you get the first bonkers amazing pop single of 2011. Breakdowns, divorce, autotune – Britney is still better than you.

Debut single from a new Mercury act that I’m stupidly excited about. Some of the demo tracks remind me of 3LW. If you don’t know who 3LW are it’s unlikely we’ll be able to be friends.

Oh Land could be that (annoyingly) rare thing – a Scandinavian act that connects with a UK audience. She has proper melodies but is also cool enough to be played on UK radio – keeping my Scandi-loving fingers crossed for her.

My favourite track of Pleasure’s aka Fred Ball. Bells and whistles pop music has its place (most places that I am in fairness) but SOMETIMES melancholy rules the day and this is melancholic pop brilliance at its best.

Ever wondered what Beastie Boys would sound like rapping over an Alphabeat track? YOU DON’T HAVE TO.

The Spice Girls made me fall in love with pop music – I doubt I’d be working in the industry today if it wasn’t for them. This is not just their best ballad but the best ballad OF ALL TIME – no arguments please.