Top 5 New Pop Artists of 2009

1. Keri Hilson
Having performed with hip-hop heavyweights like Timbaland and Nas, as well as written songs for juggernauts like Usher and Britney Spears, Keri Hilson was no stranger to the music industry. She finally managed to get her solo effort In A Perfect World... off the ground in 2009 and she's been soaring ever since. With strong vocals, Keri deftly careens her melodic voice through power hits like Knock You Down while conveying deep feelings in songs like "Intuition". With a commanding stage presence, Keri bridges the gap between the 80s greats and 21st Century spectacle.

2. The xx
This indy rock band caught the UK by surprise, as there is nothing overly showy or flashy about the band's debut album xx. The subdued and nuanced music that the four musicians craft are both pop (VCR) and indie (Crystalized). Vocalists Romy Madley Croft sultry cadences mix nicely with the more dimly lit sounds of Oliver Sim. Working without the aid of a live drummer, the band carefully navigates the spaces in between, and keyboardist Certainly a band to watch progress, as they have crafted a sound which would have taken other musicians half a decade to perfect.

3. Diane Birch
Diane Birch's talent and versatility are evident in every song of "Bible Belt", her 2009 debut album. Birch carefully mixes soul, blues, folk rock and many other sounds from the 60s and 70s that makes her music both enjoyable and unique. Her attention to the powers of these sounds can be heard on songs like "Nothing but a Miracle", a ballad ripped from the 70s, and "Fire Escape", featuring organs and piercing vocals.

4. Adam Lambert
Adam Lambert took America almost quite literally by storm during his run as an American Idol contestant, reaching the finals only to be locked out by the more universally appealing Kris Allen. Few other artists come to mind that are as open about the sexual preferences as Lambert, and the controversial performance at the American Music Awards certified his talent for raising hackles. As a member of Barbara Walter's "10 Most Fascinating People of 2009", Lambert is an easy addition to the list.

5. Susan Boyle
The fact that her album does not feature original content might lead many question why Boyle makes the list. The numbers, however, can't be ignored. Boyle broke out of her life of obscurity when she first sang I Dreamed a Dream on "Britain's Got Talent". Her frumpy, unkempt appearance only served to emphasize her powerful vocals. Americans fell instantly in love with her Cinderella story. Her eventual mental collapse and second place in the talent competition seemed to cast a pall over Boyle's future. Then came her debut album "I Dreamed a Dream", charting number 1 in fifteen countries, including setting a record for female debut album, selling over 700,000 copies stateside and thus being the biggest debut album in a decade. Give Susan some original songs, and she may just have staying power.