I was first introduced–sorry, introduuced to Indiana-born singer Natalie Walker back in 2006.

Formerly a member of the trip-hop troupe Daughter Darling, Walker debuted amongst a surge of fellow indie-pop songstresses that dominated the blogosphere (not to mention the soundtracks of nearly every trendy television show of the time, including Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty and The OC)–songstresses like Imogen Heap, Rachael Yamagata and Bat For Lashes.

Her 2006 solo debut, Urban Angel was a stunning showcase of atmospheric electronica and wisps of airy, romantic vocals, resulting in several successful soundtrack inclusions as “Circles” (Grey’s Anatomy) and the gorgeously lush Thievery Corporation remix of “Quicksand” (Sophia Coppola‘s Marie Antoinette). Quite simply, I was smitten.

Two years later, Walker released her follow-up effort With You, an equally mesmerizing release that came packaged with the same ambient sounds and hushed vocals as her debut, but bolstered with some slightly bigger, pop-focused productions. Walker once again received the soundtrack treatment thereafter with the album’s soaring title track “With You” appearing on several shows, including The City and 90210.

Now, she returns for her third solo outing: Spark, due to be released on June 7 on Dorado Records.

“Uptight” is the lead single from Spark; an intimate offering that finds the singer’s gorgeous voice floating between a lonesome guitar strum, tripping electronica and the same nagging sense of wanderlust that colors all of Walker’s discography. “I don’t want to fight tonight / Come here, warm me up inside / It’s wrong, let me make it right,” Walker sings, her delicate vocals enveloped by warm waves of strings and slow-burning electronica embers.

On April 26, Walker will release the second single from Spark–”Cool Kids,” as well as two new mixes through Beatport: The Linus Loves mix and the Remix Artist Collective (RAC) mix. In addition, the singer is currently offering a free download of the gorgeous upcoming album track “Mars” on her official Facebook page, which is an absolute treat.

Natalie Walker is one of those rare artists that manages to strike the perfect balance between consistency and a gradual evolution in sound. And judging by what we’ve already heard, Walker’s latest may just be her finest moment yet.

Spark will be released on June 7. (iTunes)

Meet Oh Land, the most intriguing alt/folk/indie/electro/however-the-fuck-you’d-like-to-label-this artist you’re going to hear about this year.

Oh Land, born Nanna Øland Fabricius, grew up “with an opera singer for a mother, a theater organist for a father and Björk‘s Homogenic on constant rotation” according to her MySpace. Points abound already, no?

Following the homeland success of her 2008 debut album, Fauna, the gorgeous (see above; admire cheek bones) ballerina-turned-musician made a move to Brooklyn in 2010 to take her ambitions to the next level.

Combining the quirky indie darling delivery of acts like Émilie Simon and Kimbra, the aching wanderlust of Bat For Lashes and Feist, the enchanted oddity of such legends as Kate Bush and Björk, and the gadget giddiness of Imogen Heap, Oh Land’s music sparkles with colorful influences from all over the musical spectrum, refusing to take root into just one sound.

On October 19, Oh Land will be releasing her debut major label EP. For your entertainment, MuuMuse is proud to be able to share two tracks from the set: “Sun Of A Gun,” and the “Sun Of A Gun (Ian Pooley Remix),” which breathes some pulsating new life into the original thanks to a gool ol’ disco bass line. You know how we do here at the MuuMuse.

“Sun Of A Gun”

“Sun Of A Gun” (Ian Pooley Main Mix)

Now keep watch and PAY ATTENTION: This girl’s going to be big.

To hear more from Oh Land, check out her official website. The Oh Land EP will be released from Epic Records on October 19. (iTunes)

Do you like vampires? Do you like diaries? PERFECT. This contest is just for you!

Today, The Vampire Diaries soundtrack is being unleashed upon the world, which features songs from such MuuMuse favorites as Bat For Lashes (“Sleep Alone”), Goldfrapp (“We Radiate”), and of course, Sky Ferreira (“Obsession”).

Now let us watch a fun trailer for the series that combines the excellence of Sky Ferreira with the sexual tension and sultry allure of The Vampire Diaries:

To celebrate this release, MuuMuse is proud to be giving away a copy of The Vampire Diaries soundtrack.

To enter to win, all you’ve got to do is…SHOW ME YOUR TEETH! Yes, you heard me: Show me your teeth (in my inbox with the subject line “TEETH”) or tweet me a TwitPic and you’ll be automatically entered to win a copy of the soundtrack.

A winner will then be selected and notified on Tuesday, October 19.

Enter now! It’s going to be a bloody good time.

Original Television Soundtrack: The Vampire Diaries featuring the hit single “Obsession” by Sky Ferreira is available everywhere today (October 12th). (iTunes)

For more from Lady Ferreira, check her out on iTunes or on her official website.

Iamamiwhoami (Jonna Lee) is back with another video. It’s a full song again, simply entitled “o.”

Now the music is getting just plain wonderful. “O” is like a gorgeous, electro-tinged Bat For Lashes track, mixed with elements of The Knife and Kate Bush.

You can currently pre-order the track on Amazon.

Drop the shroud of mystery and release this album already before this viral video thing gets any older, Jonna!

Christ on a Christmas cracker–the 2010 BRIT Award nominations are in!

I can’t believe it’s time already for the ceremony to begin once again. It seems like only yesterday I was sitting in my bed watching in disbelief as Gaga robo-danced her way on stage with pieces of shattered china plates glued to her lady bits. Ahh, memories.

As per usual (see 2009), I’ve gone ahead and bolded my favorites for the crown and added a few insightful comments and/or snooty one-liners to the end of each category.

And awayyy we go! (Thanks to The Guardian for the full list of nominees.)

British Male Solo Artist

Calvin Harris
Dizzee Rascal
Mika
Paolo Nutini
Robbie Williams

My vote is largely due to the Jedward pineapple incident, though many of the brilliant tracks off of Ready for the Weekend, including “Flashback” and “I’m Not Alone” should warrant this win alone.

British Female Solo Artist

Bat for Lashes
Florence & the Machine
Leona Lewis
Lily Allen
Pixie Lott

My vote is, hesitantly, for Lily. My favorite of the bunch is Florence, however I believe she deserves to take a few other awards instead. Obviously, I’d be fine with Florence snagging this one as well (Bat for Lashes deserves credit too!). Just don’t let this one go to Leona–her album was largely a stinker.

British Breakthrough Act (Top 5 selected by Voting Academy; winner chosen by Radio 1 listeners)

Florence & the Machine
Friendly Fires
JLS
La Roux
Pixie Lott

No competition. La Roux may have had a running shot if this were the summer of 2009, but Elly Jackson has since proven to be a ceaselessly irritating twit. Florence is a rare throwback to another time, and her talent demands and deserves recognition (especially in this category).

British Group

Doves
Friendly Fires
JLS
Kasabian
Muse

I like “Uprising,” and have hardly heard the musical output from the rest of the lot. That is all.

MasterCard British Album

Dizzee Rascal – Tongue n’ Cheek
Florence & the Machine – Lungs
Kasabian – West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
Lily Allen – It’s Not Me, It’s You
Paolo Nutini – Sunny Side Up

Lily’s sophomore attempt was a triumphant return to form, but Florence’s debut was nothing short of magical.

British Single (Winner selected by UK Commercial Radio listeners)

Alesha Dixon – Breathe Slow
Alexandra Burke Ft Flo Rida – Bad Boys
Cheryl Cole – Fight For This Love
Joe McElderry – The Climb
JLS – Beat Again
La Roux – In For The Kill
Lily Allen – The Fear
Pixie Lott – Mama Do
Taio Cruz – Break Your Heart
Tinchy Stryder Ft N-Dubz – Number 1

This one’s a tough one, but it’s Cheryl Cole that I’m going with in the end. Credit and love to Alesha Dixon and Lily Allen for bringing us two fabulous singles (and, to a lesser extent, La Roux and Alexandra Burke), but “Fight For This Love” was glorious post-Aloud gold. Besides, If anyone should steal this away from Joe McElderry, it ought to be his own mentor.

BRITs Performance of Past 30 Years

Bee Gees Stayin’ Alive/How Deep is Your Love (1997)
Bros – I Owe you Nothing (1989)
Coldplay – Clocks (2003)
Eurythmics & Stevie Wonder – Angel (1999)
Girls Aloud – The Promise (2009)
Kanye West – Gold Digger (2006)
Kylie Minogue – Can’t Get You Out of my Head (2002)
Michael Jackson – Earth Song (1996)
Paul McCartney – Live & Let Die (2008)
Pet Shop Boys – Go West (1994)
Robbie Williams & Tom Jones – The Full Monty Medley (1998)
Scissor Sisters – Take Your Mama (2005)
Spice Girls – Wannabe/Who Do You Think You Are (1997)
Take That – Beatles Medley – I Wanna Hold Your Hand/Hard Day’s Night/ She Loves Me (1994)
The Who – Who Are You (1988)

This category is all but impossible to choose from, but I’m going with what I know and love: As much as Kylie‘s performance was an iconic milestone in her career and Girls Aloud‘s brilliant rendition of “The Promise” was a triumphant “Finally!” moment after seven years of being snubbed from nominations, the Spice Girls were and will always be the definition of Brit Pop in my eyes. Performing at the frenzied height of their success in 1997, the Girls put on a show for the BRITs that puts today’s girl groups to shame.

International Male Solo Artist

Bruce Springsteen
Eminem
Jay-Z
Michael Bublé
Seasick Steve

Not much of a contest, and he’s only going to get bigger in 2010.

International Female Solo Artist

Lady Gaga
Ladyhawke
Norah Jones
Rihanna
Shakira

Nothing tops the Fame Monster, even if she’s irritating. This win will be timed well with her destined-to-be epic performance on stage later that night. (Big love to Riri, Shaki and Ladyhawke, but Gaga is unbeatable right now.)

International Breakthrough Act (Top 5 selected by Voting Academy; winner chosen by MTV viewers)

Animal Collective
Daniel Merriweather
Empire of the Sun
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift

This is a weird mix. The most popular pop artist of 2009 pitted against what was largely considered the greatest indie band of 2009? Hmm…it’s the UK, and I say pop prevails. I’ll go with Gaga.

International Album

Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
Black Eyed Peas – The E.N.D.
Empire of the Sun – Walking on a Dream
Jay-Z – The Blueprint
Lady Gaga – The Fame

The Fame? Honestly? It came out in 2008 here, and only eleven days into 2009 in the UK. Can’t we get over it, already? It’s down to a three-way tie between Jay, Gagz, and Animal Collective for the win, but I’m going to jazz this up and go with Walking on a Dream, a phenomenal album in its own right that deserves some attention as well.

And that is that.

Well, the year is just about over now, which means that those “Best Of 2009″ lists just won’t let up anytime soon. Two weeks ago saw my “Top 40 Albums of 2009″ list. Now, it’s time to get down to the finest singles of the year. LET’S DO THIS.

All chart and sales figures provided by Wikipedia.

20. Mariah Carey – Obsessed (Listen)
It was the guiltiest, most quotable pleasure of the year: “Obsessed,” the so-bad-it’s-good, so-good-it’s-bad mid-tempo jam leading off the charge of Mariah Carey’s less than successful twelfth studio album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.

You love it, you hate it, but there’s no need to get all fired up with your Napoleon complex; the only thing that could have made this song better would be if it came bundled with a George Foreman grill and a bottle of Windex.

“Obsessed” topped the charts at #7 on the US Hot 100, as well as #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs list and Top 20 in many territories around the world.

19. Beyonce – Video Phone ft. Lady Gaga (Listen)
Though it would be impossible to top the weave-tossin’, hip-poppin’ brilliance that is “Diva,” “Video Phone” is just about as close as you can get to replicating that level of fierce-nass. Already an instant classic off of I Am…Sasha Fierce, the injection of Lady Gaga‘s ridiculous, warbling verses and a tranny-tastic music video made the song damn near untouchable.

That being said, “Video Phone” generally failed to catch on with the general public, stalling at #65 on the Hot 100 with no sign of fueling back up again anytime soon.

18. Cheryl Cole – Fight For This Love (Listen)
It was the tensest moment on X Factor this year: The debut performance of a solo Cheryl Cole. What would she sound like? How would the song fare? Breaking out with a hip, sleek routine (once a soldier, then a samurai) and a nasty dance break sequence, Cheryl fought, fought, fought for the public’s love, effectively dominating the latter half of 2009 with her debut single.

Though not the strongest song off of her debut 3 Words, it’s certainly the most influential: “Fight For This Love” broke the record for the fastest selling UK single, debuted at #1 in both Ireland and the UK, and scored the highest first week sales for a single in 2009.

17. Ke$ha – Tik Tok (Listen)
It’s loud, it’s obnoxious, and it’s all I listened to during the summer: “Tik Tok” is drunk-pop revelry at its finest, and one hell of a way to debut.

The song as just hit #1 on the Hot 100, according to yesterday’s Billboard news.

16. Shakira – She Wolf (Listen)
If anyone else sung this, it would be a disaster. But it’s not just anyone–it’s Shakira, the lust-worthy Latina songstress capable of making a coffee machine in an office sound downright sexy. The release was aided by an equally weird/brilliant video, featuring the singer doing enough limb-bending choreography to have Gumby crossing his legs in pain while watching.

“She Wolf” and its Spanish counterpart “Loba” climbed to the #11 spot on the US Hot 100 and a #1 position on the Hot Dance Club Songs list, as well as dozens of Top 10 positions all around the world.

15. Madonna – Celebration (Listen)
Ringing in over twenty-five years of international success in the music industry as the world’s reigning Queen of Pop, “Celebration” had quite a bit of hype to live up to. While some criticized the singer for trying too hard to maintain relevancy, the song served its purpose and ultimately contributed to the Madonna legacy of pure, unadulterated escapism tacked to a disco dancing beat.

While “Celebration” stalled at #71 on the US Billboard Hot 100, the song took a Top 5 charting across most other parts of the world, including a #3 peak in the UK’s Single Chart.

14. Rihanna – Hard (Listen)
Leading off one of the year’s best albums, Riri goes harder than ever before with a cocky chorus and a newfound swagger and delightfully confident sexuality. Lots of brags (“The hottest bitch in heels right here”) and lots of burns (“Ain’t like me, that chick too phony”). And as for that personal shout-out near the song’s end? “Where dem blah-gahs at? Where dem blah-gahs at?” Yeah…bonus points all around.

“Hard” has since climbed to the #11 position on the US Hot 100, though it’s still too new to declare the song’s peak position.

13. Sugababes – About A Girl (Listen)
As the unexpected dawn of a new era began late this year with the departure of Keisha Buchanan and the arrival of Jade Ewen, haters and doubters declared the girl group officially dead.

As it turned out, the Sugas have never sounded sweeter. “About A Girl” was the defiant anthem the girls needed to survive, earning a #8 spot on the UK Charts and proving that Jade Ewen is a voice to be reckoned with.

12. Lily Allen – The Fear (Listen)
Leading off the campaign for her sophomore album, It’s Not Me, It’s You, “The Fear” took a wry stab at the socialite life. With Greg Kurstin‘s glittering electronic beats and that gorgeous, dizzying chorus, it’s not hard to miss out on Allen’s dripping sarcasm: “I’ll take my clothes off and it will be shameless /’Cuz everyone knows that’s how you get famous.”

The song took the #1 spot on the UK singles chart, as well as scoring the “Best Track” award at the Q Awards.

11. Natalie Imbruglia – Want (Listen)
It’s all that you could ever want, over and over again: A lush, disco melody on repeat, “Want” is the sugary surprise single that led the march for Imbruglia’s solid fourth studio album, Come to Life.

Sadly, the song was never quite given its due credit, eventually peaking at #22 in Australia and #88 in the UK.

10. Gossip – Heavy Cross (Listen)
Did any other song send a chill running down our spines this year quite like Beth Ditto‘s howl of “I choose you!” just one minute into “Heavy Cross”? Doubtful. The song itself is a rocking smash, complete with jagged guitar riffs and disco-tinged drum beats, but it’s the Fred Falke remix made this release truly sublime.

The single premiered quite well overseas, including the #2 position in Germany and Switzerland, as well as the #14 spot on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.

9. La Roux – Bulletproof (Listen)
Say what I have about Elly Jackson‘s nasty attitude or her oft-insufferable falsetto, La Roux’s debut provided some of the catchiest, hookiest tracks of 2009. Add some bright, colorful ’80′s-flavored beats to one unstoppably catchy chorus, and there you have it: “Bulletproof,” a track that more than validated all those “One to Watch” list predictions last year.

“Bulletproof” took the #1 position on the UK charts, a #1 slot on the US Dance Charts, and a gold certification in Australia and New Zealand, amongst dozens of other countries.

8. Annie – Anthonio (Listen)
With the 2008 Don’t Stop campaign at a halt for more than half a year, “Anthonio” was the much-needed reassurance that the Anniemal was still alive and well. Soothing, melodic italo-disco sweeps over the speakers as the singer recalls the tale of the no-good, dirt bag who left alone and pregnant. What more could you ask for?

While it never landed a spot on the main Singles charts, “Anthonio” climbed to #5 on the UK Indie Chart.

7. Girls Aloud – Untouchable (Listen)
The word epic is far overused in modern society, but this song cannot be properly described by any other term: Clocking in at just under seven minutes, “Untouchable” is the Girls Aloud’s own “Bohemian Rhapsody,” complete with euphoric flares of synthesizers and a classic Xenomania beat.

In the greatest Pop Injustice of 2009, “Untouchable” charted just outside the Top 10 position in the UK at #11, effectively ending the girl group’s run of twenty Top 10 singles.

6. Florence + The Machine – Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) (Listen)
I’d seen some references to Florence over the summer, but it wasn’t until her performance of “Rabbit Heart” on Later…with Jools Holland that I realized just how magical this witchy woman and her music actually were. Honorable mentions go out to the equally deserving subsequent singles from Lungs, including “Drumming Song” and “You’ve Got the Love.”

“Rabbit Heart” peaked at #12 on the UK Singles Chart.

5. Bat For Lashes – Daniel (Listen)
Haunting vocals, warm droplets of synthesizer, and an endless, searching sense of loneliness, “Daniel” quickly became the clear, crowning victory of Bat For Lashes‘ Two Suns sessions.

“Daniel” peaked at #36 on the UK Singles Chart.

4. Royksopp – Girl and the Robot (Listen)
Combine Sweden’s Pop Princess with Norway’s electro-geniuses, and you’ve got yourself the greatest robot love song from a Swedish chanteuse since Margaret Berger‘s “The Robot Song”…and that’s saying a lot.

The song took on the #2 position on the Norweigan Singles Chart and a surprisingly modest #25 position on the Swedish Singles Chart.

3. Britney Spears – 3 (Listen)
Considering it’s Britney (bitch), “3″ is pretty low on my “Best Of” list. With a less-than-stellar video (the director’s cut having redeemed the original), Britney’s ode to playing Yahtzee with a friend or two (or Freudian exploration of fantasy, depending on who you ask) walks the line between sexy and sleazy a bit too unevenly, at times coming off childish and tacky (which is why I’m ready for a break from further Max Martin collaborations.) Subject matter aside, it’s still an unbelievably catchy record, and one hell of a Britney classic.

The single was an instant success with radio, nabbing the #1 spot on US radio, as well as a position in Top 10 charts all across the world.

2. Ellie Goulding – Under the Sheets (Listen)
Up until a few months ago, newcomer Ellie Goulding had released nothing but a few demos and behind-the-scenes videos on her MySpace.

“Under the Sheets,” her debut release, is a gorgeous, multi-layered tapestry of hypnotic electronica and breathy vocals, not all that far from the major league stuff of Imogen Heap and Björk. The song’s replay-ready quality, coupled with a yelp-at-the-top-of-your-lungs harmonies has, for better or worse, sprinkled all sorts of high expectations around the upcoming release of her debut album in 2010.

“Under The Sheets” has since peaked at #53 on the UK charts.

1. Lady Gaga – Bad Romance (Listen)
A crashing anthem of a chorus. Hitchcock references. A vogue-ready middle eight. Hooks a plenty. Nonsensical syllables abound. Fame. Death. Sex. Love. I’m a free bitch, baby.

As the most powerful, raucous celebration of pop music in years, “Bad Romance” has finalized Lady Gaga’s transition from a flavor of the month to an icon in the making. Though she may credit “Speechless” as her greatest song to date, it’s “Bad Romance” that takes the title in my book blog.

The song took the #2 spot on the Hot 100, as well as a #1 ranking in several countries internationally, including Canada, Italy, Sweden and the UK.

As if there were any question, “Bad Romance” is the best single of 2009, bar none.

And now for something similar…

Hot off the heels of the MuuMuse interview with Kleerup comes “Awakening,” the first single off of Titiyo‘s upcoming fifth studio album, Hidden, which should see release sometime between October and November in Europe (and possibly North America as well).

Far darker than her turn on Kleerup’s “Longing for Lullabies,” “Awakening” finds Titiyo’s breathy vocals in a sea of lush strings, tambourines, and dark, throbbing synthesizers. The result? Farther from “sad disco,” the song is something of a crossbred, deep house reinterpretation of Fleetwood Mac and Kate Bush.

You’ll also want to check out the video above, which is all sorts of weird and fantastical. (It’s also been uploaded in February, so I suppose the single isn’t quite as new as I figured!) Anyway, think Bat for Lashes meets a slight moment of Hocus Pocus for the concept. In other words, it’s a damn good time.

Hear more from Titiyo on iTunes | MySpace | Official Website

Parlophone Records just uploaded the video for Bat For Lashes‘ third single from Two Suns, “Sleep Alone.”

It’s a bit like the video for Marina & The Diamonds‘ “Obsessions,” except we still really have no idea what the fuck she’s finished crafting by the video’s end. A robot lover? An interactive Rubik’s Cube? I can’t be quite certain–this one’s up for interpretation. Still, it’s an intriguing and creative treat for the eyeballs.

Bat For Lashes has announced that the third single coming off of the brilliant Mercury Prize-nominated Two Suns shall be “Sleep Alone,” due for release in the UK on September 7. Another excellent single decision! Then again, there wouldn’t be too many dud choices from the album in any case.

The digital release will be coupled with “Moon And Moon,” a remix by Van Rivers & The Subliminal Kid, and two live performances from Sirius Satellite in New York.

Click “Read More” to see the full list of tour dates for Khan’s newly announced UK tour, including dates with Coldplay.

Coldplay Support Dates:

Mon 7 September Paris Parc des Princes

Wed 9 September Nijmegen Goffertpark

UK Tour Dates with Special Guests Yeasayer:

Fri 11 Sept Bestival Isle Of Weight (Headlining the Big Top) SOLD OUT

Thu 1 Oct Bournemouth Opera House

Fri 2 Oct Brighton Dome

Sun 4 Oct Cambridge Corn Exchange

Mon 5 Oct London Roundhouse

Tue 6 Oct London Roundhouse

Fri 9 Oct Bristol Colston Hall

Sat 10 Oct Liverpool O2 Academy

Mon 12 Oct Nottingham Rock City

Tue 13 Oct Leeds O2 Academy

Wed 14 Oct Manchester Academy

Fri 16 Oct Cardiff University

Sat 17 Oct Sheffield Octagon

Mon 19 Oct Glasgow O2 Academy

Tue 20 Oct Edinburgh HMV Picture House

Don’t forget to purchase your tickets for Khan’s US tour now.

Click below to hear more from Bat For Lashes.

* Bat For Lashes – Two Suns
* Florence and the Machine – Lungs
* Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires
* Glasvegas – Glasvegas
* Kasabian – West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
* La Roux – La Roux
* Led Bib – Sensible Shoes
* Lisa Hannigan – Sea Sew
* Speech Debelle – Speech Therapy
* Sweet Billy Pilgrim – Twice Born Men
* The Horrors – Primary Colours
* The Invisible – The Invisible

This is a personal toughie, considering not one but two of my favorite acts are up against each other for the prize. It’s nothing too upsetting–as long as Florence or Natasha nab the crown, I’ll be a happy camper.

The winner will be announced on September 8.