Amerie, “Swag Back”

If this little urban pop lady really manages to break through in 2010, all will be well. Considering how spotty her success has been over the years, there’s no reason her fourth album should be so great for the genre. Most pop singers kind of phone in an album so late in the game after such mixed success. I think I just like knowing I have options beyond Beyoncé, Rihanna, and that other bird who used to sing alongside Beyoncé and also that dame who gave one of 2008’s best tunes but kind of petered out after that. Major, major nod to Maura for so thoroughly covering this project that I would’ve tuned in sooner or later anyway. Here’s hoping it resonates with the rest of America.