2009 artists offer respite from Jackson

Some of us want to move on from soothing memories of the King of Pop and the Fab Four, so here are a few suggestions for catching up with today's music.

One starting point is to invest in any of this year's Now That's What I Call Music! compilations on Sony. The track lists vary across countries, though the 32nd edition released in the US this month is a good sampler. The following selection of downloads will get you refreshed fast, and help fill the iPod for the gym, as well as the holiday season.

Meet Me Halfway by Black Eyed Peas: This single from the Los Angeles band's fifth studio outing The End is as catchy as its number one predecessors, Boom Boom Pow and I Gotta Feeling. The funky guitars and distorted handclaps make for insidious hip-hop.

Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys: This song in praise of the Big Apple declares "the streets will make you feel brand new, the lights will inspire you". It's the New York, New York for 2009. Still, Jay-Z is going too far in declaring himself "the new Sinatra" – he can't sing, for a start, as the rest of The Blueprint 3 shows.

Cowboy Casanova by Carrie Underwood: This single leads the American Idol winner's third album Play On, out this month. It's country, though not as we know it, and steamy enough to add to Underwood's haul of hits.

She Wolf by Shakira (pictured): The Colombian singer-songwriter's title track from her new collection marks an impressive shift to electronic dance from Latin pop.

Celebration by Madonna: Madonna signs off from her Warner Bros contract with another greatest-hits outing that comes with an obligatory previously unreleased track. Fortunately, Celebration, co-written with Paul Oakenfold, is an upbeat invitation to Madonna's perpetual dance party.

Fireflies by Owl City: Adam Young, 23, started making music at night in his Minnesota home studio because of insomnia. The result, with lyrics about counting sheep and being too tired to fall asleep, sounds like the Pet Shop Boys or Erasure until the big chorus kicks in.

You Only Cross My Mind in Winter by Sting: Alarm bells sound at the news that Sting's first new music since the Police reunion is a concept album of traditional airs and new songs inspired by his favourite season. If on a Winter's Night is serious and unlike anything else in this list, and that's no bad thing.

Not all the quality music in 2009 has enjoyed multi-million sales. There also has been much to recommend from Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, Dead Weather, Friendly Fires, Lily Allen, Florence and the Machine, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Regina Spektor, the Kittiwakes and Amadou & Mariam to name a few.

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