Lady Gaga: Believe the hype?

Lady Gaga ‘Born This Way'

"It doesn't matter if you love him, or capital H-I-M. Just put your paws up, 'cause you were born this way, baby." So begins what is surely the most hyped single in music history. As we have come to expect from Lady Gaga, this is an electro-fizzing, glam-stomping, monster-chorus pop tour-de-force that sounds a bit like Madonnaand a lot like what it is clearly thinks it is: The biggest single of 2011.(Hear it here) | (Buy it now)


Chipmunk feat Chris Brown 'Champion'

Before Gaga reared into view like King Kong hanging off the Empire State Building, Chipmunklooked set for a surprise number one. We say surprise, because ‘Champion' stars former public enemy #1 Chris Brown. Will his rehabilitation be completed by a place at Sunday's chart summit? Or can ‘Born This Way' overhaul their collaboration with just two days sales? Watch this space. (Watch it here)

The Strokes ‘Under Cover Of Darkness'

They may be one of the biggest guitar acts on the planet but NYC's finest have no truck with such pop squabbles. With all that lounging about and not bothering to make a record, they just don't have the time. But here comes the lead track from ‘Angles', their first album in five years. What's changed? Not a lot. Why would it when the groove, melodies, solos and swagger are this perfect? Welcome back. (Hear it here)

N-Dubz 'Took It All Away'

Issued in conjunction with ‘Little Big Planet 2', they're calling this the first official computer game video. "We make sure our characters are unique and they're distinctive and they stand out," explained Dappy of the promo. But how do they manage such a feat? By getting him to swear, of course! N-Dubzare looking to break the US with this new single. ‘Took It All Away' confirms they mean business. (Hear it here)

William Fitzsimmons 'The Tide Pulls From The Moon'

After all that chart action and pop propaganda, it's time for something reflective. We have strings, a xylophone and much talk of the sea and moon. It can only be William Fitzsimmons, who needs no hype to carry his tunes, only melancholy, melody and a long beard. Pitched somewhere between Elliott Smithand Sufjan Stevens, the Pennsylvanian song-smith sounds like he might never shave again.(Watch it here)