Artist: Colby O'Donis
Song: 'Don't Turn Back'
Why You Should Watch: The fresh-faced newcomer proves he's a star in the making in this stylish video. When a disrespectful boss mistreats a beautiful receptionist, it's up to the Queens native to show her what a real man is like. Buy 'Don't Turn Back' on iTunes.

Artist: Kimberly Cole
Song: 'Nitty Gritty'
Why You Should Listen: This budding pop starlet has already had her fair share in the limelight, thanks to her roller-skating championship wins and hosting gigs on MTV. Now Cole's ready to take the music world by storm with her debut single, which comes in the form of a seriously infectious pop jig.

Listen to 'Nitty Gritty'


Buy the single on iTunes

Artist: Sing It Loud
Song: 'No One Can Touch Us'
Why You Should Watch: Hailing from Minneapolis, the name of these pop-rock newcomers says it all. The band plays in front of a young crowd and encourages them to sing along to their anthemic tune. Buy 'No One Can Touch Us' on iTunes.

Artist: Staind
Song: 'Believe'
Why You Should Watch: After three years, the alternative metal band returns with its sixth studio record, 'The Illusion of Progress,' in stores August 19. Frontman Aaron Lewis shows his softer side as he belts the ballad-like first single along a deserted beach. Buy it on iTunes.

Artist: Josh Hoge
Song: 'Stay Away'
Album: 'Everything She Was' (Catch the Full CD Listening Party on AOL Music beginning September 8)
Why You Should Download: This pop-rock newcomer's soulful sound is reminiscent of artists like John Mayer and Jesse McCartney.

Download: 'Stay Away' (MP3)

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Miley Cyrus is back with her second album, featuring the new hit '7 Things.' The teen superstar co-wrote all but two of the songs and covers Cyndi Lauper's classic pop song 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.' Listen to the singer's 'Breakout' in its entirety.

Artist: The Gabe Dixon Band
Song: 'Till You're Gone'
Why You Should Listen: Boasting praise from fellow musicians Sara Bareilles and Jamie Cullum, and compared to the likes of respected piano-rockers Elton John and Ben Folds, this classic pop-rock influenced trio has played together the late 90s. Dixon was offered a spot playing keys on a Paul McCartney tour and respectfully turned him down to rock out with his friends, and they're now releasing their self-titled record on August 26.

Listen to 'Till You're Gone'

Artist: Lindsey Ray
Song: 'Goodbye From California'
Why You Should Listen: Hailing from Belfast, ME, this young singer-songwriter delivers a sunny single that was recently featured in the season finale of MTV's The Real World: Hollywood. With a happy-go-lucky bounce, Ray gladly sings farewell to a former lover.

Listen to 'Goodbye From California'


Buy the single on iTunes

Artist: T-Pain feat. Lil Wayne
Song: 'Can't Believe It'
Why You Should Listen: Just over a year after releasing his last album, the successful hip-hop songwriter and producer sends a new, laid-back beat to radio, with a little help from Lil Wayne. The rapper has his eyes set on a September 30 release date for his third record, 'Thr33 Ringz.'

Listen to 'Can't Believe It'!

Artist: Tokio Hotel
Song: 'Monsoon'
Why You Should Watch: Bleak colors and strong gusts of wind preface the tempestuous special effects that illustrate the song's stormy ending in this German band's latest video. Buy 'Monsoon' on iTunes.

Artist: Cute Is What We Aim For
Song: 'Practice Makes Perfect'
Why You Should Watch: The New York pop-punk band gets a second chance to fix a moment of weakness in the first video off their sophomore album, 'Rotation.' Buy it on iTunes.

Hometown: Nashville, by way of Indianapolis

Sounds Like: Matt Wertz, John Mayer, Rob Blackledge

The Story: The singer-songwriter, influenced by the classic works of Nick Drake, Neil Young, Jeff Buckley and Ray Lamontagne, is currently playing his music for campers from all over the country. It's not exactly a tour -- instead, Justin Branam is working at a Young Life summer camp in Michigan. "I have moved out of my house in Nashville," Branam blogs. "I am technically homeless, which isn't all that bad considering that I sleep in a bed here as opposed to the air mattress I have been sleeping on for the last seven months." His first album, released in 2006, was recorded in only five days to capture the raw element of his music. Not being rooted to one place has seemingly reinspired his songwriting drive, and he will soon be working on a new record as well as releasing free digital downloads of a covers EP.

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Sounds Like: Nelly Furtado, Christina Aguilera

The Story: Zuri Allen Star first found her voice as a musician after a tragic death in the family forced her to find an outlet for her grief. Growing up in a household surrounded by blues and soul music piqued her curiosity. As Zuri recalls, 'After so much crying it seemed that singing was such a better release of my emotions.' Her passion for music only grew, and the budding artist spent her teenage years honing her piano, voice and songwriting skills.

Zuri spent the last year recording her first album, titled 'My Number One,' with the help of Mike K, who has worked with superstars like Nelly Furtado and Natasha Bedingfield. Lyrically, Zuri found influence in poetry, and was inspired sonically by a wide range of hip-hop, soul and pop musicians.

Artist: Romeo
Song: 'Get Low Wit It' feat. Akon
Why You Should Listen: The 18-year-old rapper is back with the beat-driven first single off his upcoming album, 'High School Romance.' With Akon adding his magic touch to the hook, expect this jam to heat up the summer even more.

Artist: David Cook
Song: 'The Time of My Life'
Why You Should Listen: Thanks to a from-the-heart finale performance, his accessible radio rock sensibility and, well, undeniable dreaminess, David Cook took home 'Idol' gold this year.

Tell us what you think of his big win and listen to the Kansas City native's first song as 'American Idol' winner, exclusively on PopEater.