Ciara

For every Rihanna and Beyoncé, those r'n'b superstars with their names up in lights (or diamonds, depending on how bling you want to get), there are acts such as Amerie and Ciara, divas-who-should-have-been after hits like 1 Thing and Goodies, respectively. This is the fifth album from the Texas native and it's chockablock with warm, hooky, sexy, sometimes tough and occasionally tender pop nuggets that swing, shimmy and swagger. Nicki Minaj is on hand to give her a dig-out on the trash-talking I'm Out and equally fine Livin' in Up, while the beautifully sculpted bodywork of DUI and Body Party are equally noteworthy. When Ciara throws her heart and soul into the midst of Super Turnt Up, singing and rapping in turn, you know you're dealing with a real live one. twitter.com/ciara
Download: Super Turnt Up, I'm Out, Body Party