The furthest they’ve come to obtaining that infamous label of poptastic. The video, especially, shows Karen O at the height of her power.
49. Alphabeat - The Spell
A reinvention of sorts, which took some getting used to. The adlibs and synthesizers are ever better than the main melody.
48. Aqua - My Mamma Said
The group’s most mature, achingly beautiful song with a dark, artsy video to match. Far removed from novelty pop.
47. Carolina Liar - Show Me What I'm Looking For
The biggest radio ballad of the summer, they stuffed this one to the brim with drama and layered a hands-swaying-in-the-air chorus on top.
46. Janet Jackson - Make Me
The most Janet Jackson sounding single she’s released in a long while, it’s not among her best, but even autopilot Janet is better than most.
