Top 10 Upcoming Pop Albums for Summer 2011

Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion, otherwise known as Cults, were listed as one of the Top 10 Artists to Watch for 2011. This is their first full-length album. It will be released on the In the Name Of label started by Lily Allen. Look for a noisy but pop friendly good time.

Adam Young, aka Owl City, came seemingly out of nowhere in 2009 to land the #1 hit single "Fireflies" and the top 10 album Ocean Eyes. This follow up album has been slightly delayed, but Adam Young explained the reason for that was there was, "An attempt to better connect the dots and ensure that every cloud in the sky is stitched together with its own special silver lining."

Although Barry Manilow has been prolific in recording cover versions of songs in recent years, this is his first collection of all new songs in 10 years. The album is inspired by the concept that everyone gets their "15 minutes of fame." It follows a story of someone who becomes famous, falls from the pinnacle and then begins again. Barry Manilow has sold somewhere in the range of 80 million albums over his long career.

Volume III of Tha Carter series of albums sold over a million copies in its first week of release back in 2008. It seems unlikely this new collection will match that, but it will still be a landmark album of summer 2011. Included is the surprising pop ballad "How To Love" and the top 10 hit "6 Foot 7 Foot."

Pitbull's last English language studio album Rebelution was his first to hit the top 10 and peaked at #8. This set should go even higher. It features the smash hit summer pop single "Give Me Everything." This could be the dance party album of the summer.

Folk pop singer-songwriter Justin Vernon, aka Bon Iver, is riding a rolling wave of critical acclaim and fan buzz. He was featured on Kanye West's single "Monster" last year, and his song "Skinny Love" became a top 20 pop hit earlier this year in the UK when recorded by 14 year old singer Birdy. This summer's release of his second and self-titled album will be one of the indie music events of the season.

Beyonce may be struggling with the seeming indifference of fans to her single "Run the World (Girls)" and a lackluster reception for the R&B slow burn of "1 + 1," but she remains one of the world's biggest pop stars. Her fourth studio album will gain plenty of attention whether it becomes a commercial success, by her standards, or not.

Fans have been waiting for over 2 1/2 years for this follow up to the self-titled breakthrough album by former American Idol champion David Cook. This new album includes the single "The Last Goodbye."

Selena Gomez continues to grow in both maturity of her music and its popularity with each new release. Her first two albums with the band the Scene are both certified gold. She now has four top 40 pop hits to her credit, and the latest "Who Says" is certified gold.

Colbie Caillat's last album Breakthrough debuted at #1. She has become a staple on adult pop radio. This new album includes the top 10 adult pop hit "I Do" as well as the brand new single "Brighter Than the Sun."