Best New Music from Around the World

1. “I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked” – Ida Maria [4-14-09]. NORWAY. Explosive, cheeky, punky track from young break-out rocker from Norway.

2. “Virtual Diva” – Don Omar [4-28-09]. PUERTO RICO. On this cross-over smash hit, the king of Urban Latino radio does it all, combining reggaeton, dance, hip hop and pop.

3. “Nada” – Zoe [4-7-09]. MEXICO. Zoe stands out among its peers in the Latin alternative scene in this Ziggy-stardust-like track form its latest album.

4. 1901” – Phoenix [3-31-09]. FRANCE. An easy indie-rock track from their new E.P. of 80’s-inspired synth-pop.

5. “Liberta” – Pep’s [2008, Europe]. FRANCE. A mellow, pop, harmonious track, sung in lovely french with female backup vocals.

6. “Back to Life” – Corneille [2009]. RWANDA-CANADA. Used to releasing music in French, singing neo-soul in English is a change, as are the upbeat lyrics – moving away from the subject matter of his parents being murdered by Rwandan death squads. Here, he is “loved back to life.”

7. “Jailer” -- Asa [1-27-09]. NIGERIA. A smooth and modern fusion of R&B, soul and African jazz.

8. “ABC’s” – K’naan [1-27-09]. SOMALIA. Punchy and aware, this hip-hop track by rising Somalia-born star is filled with old school backbeat -- raps traded with Chubb Rock -- and a big back-up chorus.

9. “Sanctuary” – Gabriella Cilmi [1-27-09]. AUSTRALIA. 17-year old siren from Australia takes up a bluesy note in this appealing single track.

10. “Black Velvet” – Ferry Corsten [1-27-09]. NETHERLANDS. One of the founding fathers of Dutch trance launches this clubby melodramatic electro-dance track.

11. “Those Girls” – Kinky [2-24-09]. MEXICO. A slickly produced 80’s-new-wave-sounding track from hipsters out of Monterrey, Mexico.

12. “En Dessous de Zero” – Axelle Red [un-released in U.S.]. BELGIUM. A sexy, whispery feminine mystique vocal against smoky guitar and boards background.

13. “Sabali” -- Amadou and Miriam [3-24-09]. MALI. A musical husband and wife duo from Mali offer their distinct(French) vocals against a synthed bakcground.

14. “I’ll Eat You Up” – BoA [3-17-09]. SOUTH KOREA. Asian teen- phenom churns out a super-sized, American-sounding pop track on this lead single from her latest album.

15. “Serious Japanese” -- Teriyaki Boyz [late-spring release in U.S.). JAPAN. Hip-hop sound from Japanese rap supergroup combines familiar with exotic.

16. “You Say Yes, I Say Yes” – VETO [unreleased in US]. DENMARK . Clubby, Cure-like dance track from Danish quintet who are widely praised in their home country.

17. “Advent in Ives Garden” – Sin Fang Bous. ICELAND. A punchy, high-energy synth pop track.

18. “Wake Up – It’s Africa Calling” – Youssou N’Dour [2-11-09]. SENEGAL. A sweeping, smooth remix with big percussion, horns and synthy sounds from the OPEN REMIX, a consciousness-raising track regarding the plights of Africa, benefitting IntraHealth.

19. “Jai Ho” – Feauturing Sukhvinder Singh, Tanvi Shah and Mahalaxmi from MUSIC FROM the MOTION PICTURE SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE [11-24-08]. INDIA. A throbbing and soaring and inspirational electro-combo of sounds and voices overseen by A.R. Rahman, the Indian film composer who wrote 11 of the 13 tracks on this soundtrack (including this one).

20. “Walking on a Dream” – Empire of the Sun [2-16-09]. AUSTRALIA. Aussie duo pumps out an upbeat electro-charged pop dance tune.

22. “Beijo De Saudade” – Mariza [1-27-09]. MOZAMBIQUE/PORTUGAL. A duet featuring the sultry alto, empress of old school fado, born in Mozambique and raised in Lisbon, which is often considered the birthplace of dado.

23. “Walking on Air” – Kerli [7-8-08]. ESTONIA. On her debut album, this blonde bombshell from Estonia churns out a pop tune that combines dance beats with stints of creepy emo disharmony.

24. “Tuve un sueno” – R.K.M. & Ken-Y [9-9-08]. PUERTO RICO. A reggaetón hit from hip-hop duo out of Puerto Rico.

25. “El Vestido” – Juana Molina [10-07-08]. ARGENTINA. With its soft percussions and ethereal, atmospheric presentation, one gets lost in the whimsy of this Argentine’s artist’s musical re”rendering.

26. “The Show” – Lenka [9-9-08]. AUSTRALIA. Sweet, whimsical, crème pouf-of-an-indie female vocalist.

27. “Luna” – Eddy Lover [8-12-08]. COLUMBIA A smooth and happy dance track with a saucy south of the border sound from reggaeton Columbian cowboy.

32. “Little Bit” – Lykke Li [8-19-08]. SWEDEN. The EP hit her debut album, minimalist arrangement coupled with a pixie voice makes for an appealing pop tune.