Have we stepped into a parallel universe where I am the ruler of Planet Pop? It seems quite possible right now, as I just discovered that something has happened which is way too ace to happen in the real world: Darin's new album has a song on it which is a re-write of Just Dance by Lady GaGa! Rather stupidly, Just Dance is only just becoming a mega-hit in the US, and is starting on its way to it in the United Kingdom of Slowcoaches now, but ever-sensible Sweden has been boogying to it since the summer, and I for one have been obsessed since April. I won't give away quite yet where Just Dance will be on my chart of the year (soon to be posted on Dirrrty Pop), but it's certainly going to be near the top, so the news that one of my favourite artists has done a version of it is exciting news indeed. Of course it's not quite up there with the original, but it's still one of the album's highlights, and I'd trade a random filler track for a new version of an amazing song any day! I wonder if Darin actually made his song first, as Moroccan-Swedish Nadir Khayat aka RedOne (who wrote and produced Just Dance and Girl Next Door) had his first success with Step Up by Darin. It was clear from Darin's second and third albums that there was something special there, and while Darin isn't famous worldwide, Nadir is getting to be.

I can't say I expect much from the career of Aussie r'n'b-pop singer Amy Pearson, but I had to post this past single for its catchy chorus alone. Her style reminds me of Stacie Orrico, which is not a total disaster because Stacie released some utterly brilliant pop songs, but that was several years ago now. Unfortunately for Amy, one catchy single doesn't make up for a generic sound and look, and complete lack of a USP. I wish I could be nicer, because I like the cheerfulness and the empowering sentiment of the song, but to be honest it would be better off being given to someone with a bit more star potential. Nonetheless, it's good pop music and therefore definitely deserves its spot on Into The Groove.

Listen up, fans of Swedish pop boys! Johan Krafman won a recent competition on Mix Megapol called Artistjakten ("the artist hunt") and his prize was to release this single. He's a lucky man, because it's a brilliant pop song. He is only 20, although he looks older in this photo. It doesn't seem like the song has been that successful, but nonetheless if he does go on to make an album in this radio friendly, uplifiting pop style then he could do really well in Sweden. I don't know if Disarmed was written by one of Ola's writers, but I could imagine him releasing it, although Johan makes the song a bit more rocky as that's his background. You can hear some more from Johan's band TD Lemon on their MySpace, and they're alright (a bit Erik Faber actually), but the music isn't a patch on this poptastic number. I hope we'll hear more like this from Johan, but if not at least we can have this one on repeat for about 10 years and not get bored of it!

When I listened to this band on MySpace, I thought they were alright but quite boring. However, I was busy so I didn't press the stop button, and thank goodness I didn't, cos otherwise I would never have heard their ace new single! Why they didn't put this track at the top I've no idea - just think of how many fans they must have lost through this error already. Apparently it has been used for an iPod Nano advert, but I don't recall having seen it. They are labelled as a New York electro-pop band, but they're quite indie really (they're no Doe Deere anyway). Nonetheless, they've made one fantastic single, and I hope it won't be their only moment of aceness cos I'd love to hear more like this.