British popster Leona Lewis became a superstar in the U.K. after winning on the TV program X Factor, releasing the chart-ruling hit single "Bleeding Love," and following up with a full-length debut that broke British sales records. That album SPIRIT, hit America in the spring of 2008. The album is full of bubbly pop and R&B that might elicit comparisons with the music of Mariah Carey or Alicia Keys. Lewis received no shortage of help from industry heavy-hitters, including OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder (who co-wrote "Bleeding Love"), as well as songwriters Akon, Ne-Yo, Josh Alexander, Stargate, and others. The result is a full dose of radio-ready pop bliss that's sure to spark the interest of America's pop and R&B fans.

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James Blunt's 2005 debut, BACK TO BEDLAM, was a surprise runaway hit, and reminded the public that there was still plenty of room on the pop charts for pretty, heartfelt, singer-songwriter fare. Blunt's sophomore effort, ALL THE LOST SOULS, doesn't find him branching out exactly, but rather refining the formula that made BEDLAM such a success. Here Blunt's sharp songwriting, earnest lyrics, and fragile, expressive vocals come across stronger than ever, striking the perfect balance between wistful melancholia and sweet pop accessibility.

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