The Top Ten Singles By... BigBang!

In the world of K-Pop, there is one band to rule them all. BigBang released the best Korean album of last year, and now that their leader G-Dragon is back with a new single, I thought it was a good time to look back on the band's discography.

10. Gara Gara Go! (2009) - Most of the group's English singles suck. This is only partially English (it's mostly Japanese), and it's pretty corny, but there's something about that beat. It's really difficult not to like, even though it seems so simplistic compared to what the band's doing now.

9. Tell Me Goodbye (2010) - A dramatic ballad with an equally cinematic video, this single has one of the group's most beautiful melodies in the verses. Taeyang shines on this, especially.

8. Dirty Cash (2006) - I have a real soft spot for this cheesy, rock-infused track. It sounds nothing like any of their other material, but that sugary pop melody is incredibly durable. Funny video, too.

7. Bad Boy (2012) - Revisiting one of the band's favorite themes, this is an addictive throwback to late 90's r&b/hip-hop with a sweet--if subtle--melody that brought the group to a new level of success.

6. Lies (2007) - The first track to really show off my favorite Bigbang sound--a mix of melancholic piano, rousing hip-hop and explosive production. The template for songs four, three and one on this list.

5. Blue (2012) - As soon as that comforting, seesaw instrumental kicks off, this song instantly soothes. Not their flashiest single, but certainly one of their most melodic.

4. Haru Haru (2008) - One of their biggest hits, and deservedly so. The combination of TOP's gruff rap and the explosively lush chorus is a masterstroke. One of their best videos, too.

3. Love Song (2011) - The band at their most confident and world-conquering. Achingly melodic, with an English hook that builds into a gorgeous, wordless post-chorus. Very dramatic.

2. Fantastic Baby (2012) - The band's biggest and best dance track, and likely the one that most newbies will find first. The huge sledgehammer beat and out-of-this-world visuals marked a new transition, especially in the post Gangnam Style landscape of K-Pop. But this came first, and it's better.

1. Monster (2012) - The song that sealed the deal for me. It's their most dramatic, most cinematic, most emotional and most gorgeously produced single to date. It's got me absolutely aching to see what they do next.

So there you go! But here's the thing, no list is complete without hearing what you think! Leave your top ten BigBang songs in the comments!

The Top Ten Singles By... Britney Spears

Now that Britney's a judge on X-Factor USA (which you should be watching, by the way), I thought it would be a fitting time to look back at her surprisingly extensive catalogue. I'm not sure I'd ever point to her as being a real musical "artist," but that doesn't mean that she hasn't released some excellent pop music in the last thirteen years.

10. Overprotected (2002) - From my personal favorite album of hers (and the most overlooked), this re-calibrated the Max Martin sound just enough to stand out as an edgier, more urban direction for her.

9. Everytime (2004) - My favorite Spears ballad. The spare, haunting piano draws you in even before the melody starts. It's restrained, sad, and very memorable.

8. Born To Make You Happy (1999) - One of the many pure pop moments on her debut, this was only released as a single internationally. It's a pity. Even though the lyrics are cringeworthy, the glossy melody is sonic bliss.

7. I Wanna Go (2011) - It's the damned whistles! I loved this from the moment I heard it. So catchy, yet it doesn't try too hard. This is a producer's showcase, but the production is ace.

6. Piece Of Me (2007) - Released during her... troubled years... this was co-written by none other than Klas Åhlund, famous for his work with Swedish pop legend Robyn. In fact, Robyn even provided backing vocals. That explains why it's so smart and engaging.

5. Oops!... I Did It Again (2000) - After ...Baby One More Time, Britney had to release something just as huge in order to stay relevant. This wasn't quite up to par--being much more novelty in nature--but it still stands as one of her indelible classics, delivering a one two punch when combined with the aforementioned Time.

4. Toxic (2004) - A much needed sonic change for her. At the time, the combination of surf guitars and glossy pop sounded practically revolutionary. It still holds up well today.

3. Sometimes (1999) - So. Freaking. Cheesy. But you know what? You just can't deny that melody. It's pop that doesn't care about being cool or reinventing the wheel. Instead, it focuses on being relentlessly singalong and one of the sweetest, least-calculated moments in her career.

2. I'm A Slave 4 U (2001) - Her first major reinvention, and it was a slam dunk. This time, Britney took inspiration from one of her idols, Janet Jackson, and went for an edgier, more urban sound that was at once more subtle and much more mature. This still sounds amazing in 2012.

1. ...Baby One More Time (1998) - Her first, and still her best. I mean, come on! How can you argue against something like this. It's turned from song to statement to the stuff of cheesy pop legends.

So there you go! But here's the thing, no list is complete without hearing what you think! Leave your top ten Britney Spears songs in the comments!

The 10 Best Singles By... Mcfly

In honor of Dougie being crowned "King of the Jungle" in this year's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here (a deserved win, I might add), I thought I'd give his band Mcfly the Top Ten treatment. Over the years, I'm continually surprised at how much I like this band.

10. Obviously (2004) - A sweet, midtempo single that established them as more than a one-hit wonder. Relentlessly singalong.

9. I'll Be Ok (2005) - One of their best straight-ahead rockers. They draw from classic melody here, which gives the song a timeless quality.

8. Please Please (2006) - One of my favorite videos of theirs, and the first track on the countdown from their excellent 2006 album, Motion in the Ocean.

7. All About You (2005) - Not their first ballad, but definitely their first massive one. The Beatles-esque melody is still so refreshing, especially from such a young band.

6. The Heart Never Lies (2007) - The band at their most mainstream and mature. It's like a mix of Robbie Williams and Snow Patrol. Shouldn't have worked, but it does.

5. 5 Colours In Her Hair (2004) - Still a burst of energy after all these years. The band debuted with this huge surf-inspired retro rocker. So catchy.

4. Sorry's Not Good Enough (2006) - Piano driven, with epic Queen-like guitars, this single showed a new side to the band. More elaborate and melodic than almost anything else they've released.

3. Friday Night (2006) - An often overlooked single from the soundtrack to a horrible movie. But the song itself is the best rock track the band have produced, a Def Leppard frenzy of power riffs and layered vocals.

2. Transylvania (2007) - Their most interesting and unique single, it's almost like a mini-rock opera. Dougie proved why he should take lead vocals more often, and the band is really operating at their creative peak.

1. Shine A Light (with Taio Cruz) (2010) - Sometimes simplicity is all you need. This song just worked from the very first listen. One of my favorites from last year, and definitely one of the best mainstream pop releases of the last few years.

So there you go! But here's the thing, no list is complete without hearing what you think! Leave your top ten Mcfly songs in the comments!

The 10 Best Singles By... BWO

I'm launching a new feature today, and with Martin Rolinski's excellent solo single on the rise and an album right around the corner, what better artist to start with than Sweden's incomparable electro-poppers BWO. They're a remarkably consistent band, but what are their ten best singles? Find out here!

10. Give Me The Night (2007) - Taking a harder-edged 80's influence, this track was the highlight of their third album, Fabricator.

9. Right Here, Right Now (2009) - It wasn't the first time they'd gone choral, but this stunning album opener proved that they had mastered it. Their last great single.

8. We Could Be Heroes (2006) - Their ballads have always been excellent, but this one introduced a new, poppier version of the band. That chorus!

7. Lay Your Love On Me (2008) - This Madonna-esque Melodifestivalen entry cemented their status as pop legends in Sweden. It's gargantuan. The outfits, too, were some of their best.

6. Temple Of Love (2006) - One of the clubbiest singles the band has released, this was more of a continuation of the first album than the poppier side of the second. An enormous hit.

5. Chariots Of Fire (2006) - The first time the band flirted with what could be called a "choral arrangement." It beefed up their sound big time. Excellent song, hilarious video.

4. Sixteen Tons Of Hardware (2005) - The first BWO track I ever heard, and still one of my favorites. It's so silly, yet so confident in its ridiculousness.

3. Open Door (2005) - The single that ultimately sold me on the band and prompted me to buy their first album. It's just a gorgeous, sweeping ballad. Sometimes simplicity is best.

2. Conquering America (2004) - This has risen in stature with each passing year for me. It contains perhaps their catchiest hook and a sledgehammer of a beat. If only the lyrics had come true! I love the boastfulness of their early work.

1. Sunshine In The Rain (2005) - I will never get enough of this song. It's such an odd concoction of electronics, Beach Boy-esque background vocals and hand claps. it's utter perfection, and definitely the best single of their career.

So there you go! But here's the thing, no list is complete without hearing what you think! Leave your top ten BWO songs in the comments! I'd love to compile responses into an ultimate list!