"Want U Back" Cher Lloyd

She may not be another boy band, but if you needed further proof that a new British Invasion is upon us then meet Cher Lloyd, an 18-year-old self-proclaimed "brat" and the reigning Princess of Swag-Pop, who shot to stardom in the U.K. with her unique hip-hop style on last year's edition of The X Factor. (She eventually placed fourth, just below current worldwide tween sensation One Direction.) Now, with the help of music mogul L.A. Reid, she's making the journey across the pond and attempting to conquer American pop radio with "Want U Back," a spunky, saucy plea to an ex-lover. The biting lyrics and Lloyd's punctuating grunts inject the enjoyably bubbly synthpop ditty with a bit of riot grrrl vigor, turning "Back" into a song that feels distinct even when it sounds familiar. It's not quite funny, and not quite feminist, but it's definitely different—totally, 100%...Cher. In an age of sexalicious divas like Rihanna and Katy Perry, this little spitfire is a breath of fresh air; let's hope the U.S. gives her a shot. B+