2010

What a great year it has been for pop — and this overview of 2010's best and brightest tunes confirms a brilliantly warped musical landscape of infinite possibility, where ideas, rhythms and expectations are subject to the creative force of the mighty mash-up. We saw Enrique Iglesias in cahoots with Pitbull, channelling a little Lionel Richie and a lot of testosterone into "I Like It"; the Glee Cast took an '80s favourite by Rick Springfield, "Jessie's Girl," and encouraged us all to join in; Katy Perry hooked up with Snoop Dogg for bold and brassy blast of West Coast fun on "California Gurls"; but elsewhere subtlety became a virtue, thanks to Angus & Julia Stone's "Big Jet Plane."

Kasey, Kylie, and the real Slim Shady can be found among our 2010 Next Steps.

The current flavours of Aussie country pop intensified in 2010, as sister act the McClymonts rocked radios with the Nashville-recorded title track from Wrapped Up Good, and Kasey Chambers hinted at hidden depths beneath the deceptively simple lyrics of "Little Bird." Dance floors were ruled by Rihanna, who reached for a new kind of euphoria with "Only Girl (In the World)," and the evergreen Kylie, who encouraged communal bliss with "Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love)." Vampire Weekend proved to be the thinking fan's rockers with finessed cuts like "White Sky," while Eminem hurled himself back into our lives with the defiant "Not Afraid."

Crowded House get covered by Scotland's newest pop phenomenon, in Deep Cuts.

Susan Boyle doing Crowded House? It would only have been possible in the golden age of the 21st-century talent contest, but once the hype receded, the vocal strength of "Don't Dream It's Over" was clear for all to hear. The band behind that 1987 landmark ballad confirmed their lasting value in the modern arena with "Saturday Sun" — the substantial, brilliant lead single from sixth studio album Intriguer — Perth's Tame Impala reminded us that throwback psychedelic rock offered enlightening new trips with "Solitude Is Bliss," and city neighbours Gyroscope rattled amp stacks with the Gil Norton-produced "Baby, I'm Getting Better."

What was your favourite tune of 2010? Hopefully, you'll find it among these belters, which collectively form a tapestry of groove 'n' good times, illustrating the year as a multi-faceted pop explosion, taking in everything from American Idol superstar Adam Lambert to homegrown hip-hop heroes Bliss n Eso. Fancy a pocketful of sunshine? Train are guaranteed to brighten your day with the deliriously breezy "Hey, Soul Sister." Something a little heavier, perhaps? Sling some "Anchors" with the Amity Affliction. This was the year when Eminem hooked up with Rihanna ("Love the Way You Lie"), Jessica Mauboy made sweet sounds with Ludacris ("Saturday Night"), and Travie McCoy forged a solid partnership with Bruno Mars ("Billionaire"). The year 2010 is right here, in a digital nutshell.