Singles Roundup

4 Minutes - Madonna & Justin Timberlake. A new Madonna single is an event for me. And thankfully this one is pretty hot. Sure it's different than the Eurodisco of Confessions on a Dance Floor, but Madonna's in her best form when she's trying something new, and Timbaland's beats suit her just fine. If you're not sold on the first go, give it a few spins. Even Justin Timberlake is welcome here.

Black and Gold - Sam Sparro. I adore this song. It has a cheeky sinister quality, plus I love the pulsing '80s synths and beats, not dissimilar to Soft Cell's "Tainted Love." Sam Sparro is cute too, and I think he could be big.

Cry for You - September. You wouldn't be faulted for thinking this a mash-up of "Can't Get You Out of My Head" with "Smalltown Boy," for this Swedish dance-pop single owes a debt to both those classics.

American Boy - Estelle (feat. Kanye West). I didn't pay this much attention, until it hit #1 this weekend. It's actually a pretty decent blend of UK soul, hip-hop, and pop, and Estelle and Kanye are great together.

Run - Gnarls Barkley. Yes, it's no "Crazy," but what is? It's still pretty fun.

Funplex - The B-52's. It's been 15 years since we last heard from the B-52's (and that was the forgettable "Meet the Flintstones" theme), and the good news is they're still about the same silly fun they've always been. Sure this is a lot like "Love Shack,"--being as it as about a party place--but that's fine.

Happiness - Goldfrapp. So, I'll confess, while I like Seventh Tree, I think I would've liked it better with a little more pep. So "Happiness" is a natural standout for me. With a little remix, this one could really stomp.

Without You - The Feeling. Did The Feeling write this song while visiting the DC area in late 2006 (As immortalized by XOLondon here )? Surely they'd have had no other opportunity to observe "it's raining hard in North Virginia." This laid back track is a great choice for second single.

Nude - Radiohead. In Rainbow's second single finds the band at its melancholy best. This is a lovely, austere track, featuring more than its fair share of acoustic instruments.

Finally - Fergie (feat. John Legend). So we know Fergie can be as silly as she wants to be. So for her sixth and likely final single from The Dutchess, she's chosen this classic ballad, backed by an orchestra and John Legend on piano.