Top 50 Singles of 2009: 21-16

20. La Roux - Bulletproof



The catchiest moment on her album, this is the single that cemented La Roux as an artist with staying power.

19. Melody Club - Where Do I Belong



A single that was never given the push it deserved, this is a classic Melody Club pop song with shimmering synths and a melody that refuses to leave your head.

18. Johan Krafman - Disarmed



The type of song Ola Svensson would have easily taken to the top of the charts, this was yet another example of why the Nilsson/Bassflow combo is unstoppable.

17. Linda Sundblad - 2 All My Girls



Max Martin’s best output in a year full of amazing songwriting, it took frenetic to another level. The Hammer dancing in the video is forever scarred in my retina.

16. Donkeyboy - Ambitions



A soaring, surprise Summer smash (how’s that for alliteration?), these Norwegians came out of nowhere and took their home country by storm.

Top 20 Albums of 2009: 12-11

12. La Roux - La Roux



One of the more exciting debuts of the year, La Roux’s album has a very specific, easily recognizable sound. I would have never thought that icy synthpop would find the success it did this year, though they’ve been unable so far to break America. As evidenced by the handful of hits taken from the album, there’s plenty to love here. The non-singles are just as interesting and memorable as the ones we all know. I’m especially a fan of the ballads. Elly’s voice can at times be a bit much, but when she calms it down it’s very magical.

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11. Robbie Williams - Reality Killed The Video Star



This was the perfect album to release at this point in his career. The sound’s still identifiably Robbie, but it’s also more mature and world-weary. In the hands of a lesser performer, this could have been a dreary, forgettable collection of songs, but Robbie uses that indelible charm to make the album something very special. Fusing elements from throughout his career, there’s something for everybody here. The production is lush, filled with dramatic string sections and soaring instrumentation befitting the legend that is Mr. Robbie Williams.

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Top 50 Singles of 2009: 40-36

40. La Roux - In For The Kill



Icy and dramatic, this proved to be the introduction to one of the more interesting looking popstars of the year. Too shrill at first, but after a few months resistance was futile.

39. Muse - Uprising



The furthest the band has ever ventured into straight-up glam rock, this had a beat to die for. Couple that with a slyly memorable hook and some football chants, and you’ve got yourself an anthem.

38. Jesse McCartney - How Do You Sleep



A surprise addition to the list, this kitschy pop/hip-hop single was inescapable this spring, and the chorus was one of the best of McCartney’s career.

37. Robbie Williams - Bodies



The big comeback single that didn’t seem to be so big at first. Like all the best songs, it became more and more impressive as the weeks went on.

36. Taylor Swift - You Belong With Me



She’s verging on the point of over saturation, but before that, this simple, lovelorn pop song hearkened back to the simple radio hits of the late nineties.