British teenager Cher Lloyd has been one of the breakout new pop artists of 2012 with her hit single "Want U Back." This week she releases her debut album to lead the top new pop albums in stores.
1. Cher Lloyd - Sticks + Stones
Courtesy Syco
Earlier this year, while still 18, England's Cher Lloyd began climbing the US pop singles chart with the punchy and soulful "Want U Back." It ultimately peaked at #12. Cher Lloyd first gained notice when she finished fourth on X Factor in the UK. Her debut album Sticks + Stones includes collaboration with both Max Martin and RedOne.
2. Muse - The 2nd Law
Courtesy Warner Bros.
Muse are arguably the biggest rock band in the UK today having topped the album chart with three consecutive studio albums. Their most recent album The Resistance rose all the way to #3 in the US. The title of the new album The 2nd Law refers to the second law of thermodynamics which indicates that energy continuously flows from being concentrated to being dispersed and useless. The new album includes influences from dubstep and synth pop.
3. Cody Simpson - Paradise
Courtesy Atlantic
4. Chris Rene - I'm Right Here
Courtesy Syco
Chris Rene finished third in the inaugural season of X Factor in the US. His self-written debut single "Young Homie" climbed into the top 30 at pop radio. "Trouble," the follow up, is Chris Rene's first single to reach the Billboard Hot 100. I'm Right Here is his debut EP. It includes both singles and five new songs that Chris Rene helped write.
5. Zedd - Clarity
Courtesy Interscope
Zedd is a breakout German DJ and dance artists. His current single "Spectrum" is a #1 hit on the dance chart in the US. Clarity is his debut full-length album. Zedd co-produced the song "Beauty and a Beat" with Max Martin on Justin Bieber's album Believe.
6. Matt and Kim - Lightning
Courtesy Fader
Energetic dance punk duo Matt and Kim broke into the top 30 of the US album chart with their last release, 2010's Sidewalks. The new album Lightning includes the debut single "Let's Go" which Matt and Kim performed live recently on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
7. Three Days Grace - Transit Of Venus
Courtesy RCA
Canadian rock band Three Days Grace reached the top 10 on the US album chart with their last two studio sets. They also have 11 top 10 mainstream rock radio hits. Eight of those went all the way to #1 including the single "Chalk Outline" which is included on Transit Of Venus. The new album has already been praised by reviewers as representing significant positive progress forward in the music of Three Days Grace.
8. Van Morrison - Born To Sing: No Plan B
Courtesy Blue Note
Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison released his first solo studio album back in 1967. 45 years later he is one of the most celebrated pop-rock singers of all time. Born To Sing: No Plan B is his 34th studio album and first in four years. One of the main topics of Van Morrison's new music is the world financial crisis.
9. Heart - Fanatic
Courtesy Epic
Rock band Heart hit the top 10 on the US album chart with their debut set Dreamboat Annie, originally released in 1976. After a 10 year chart drought, the group's 2010 album Red Velvet Car returned them to the top 10 on the album chart. The single "Hey You" also made its way on to the adult contemporary chart. The band will tour in support of the new album Fanatic.
10. Miguel - Kaleidoscope Dream
Courtesy RCA
Miguel Pimentel, best known simply as Miguel, is a swiftly rising R&B singer. His debut album All I Want Is You reached the top 10 on the R&B albums chart. The new album Kaleidoscope Dream has been introduced by the #1 smash R&B hit "Adorn." It is also Miguel's highest charting song yet on the Billboard Hot 100.
