Billboard single reviews: Miley Cyrus, R.E.M

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Like Hilary Duff and the Jonas Brothers before her, Miley Cyrus has catapulted from Disney staple to pop star. Previous single "See You Again" reached No. 3 on Billboard's Pop 100 Airplay chart, and follow-up "7 Things" is shaping up as a worthy contender. Cyrus' husky voice is reminiscent of Ashlee Simpson's, while the production is right up Avril alley. The song is an odd composite, sounding decidedly country between its youth-driven headbanger choruses.

ARTIST: R.E.M.

SINGLE: HOLLOW MAN (WARNER BROS.)

Previous single "Supernatural Superserious" revived long-lived R.E.M. at modern and mainstream rock with the best single the trio has released this decade. Even better is follow-up "Hollow Man," which opens quietly before its roaring singalong chorus. As always, the lyric is nonsensical, but Michael Stipe and company appear inspired here. Those who were there for the origination of '80s mod rock and lost faith through R.E.M.'s less melodic work in the millennium will recognize redemption.

ARTIST: NE-YO

SINGLE: CLOSER (DEF JAM)

Ne-Yo has stated recent boredom with R&B and decided to switch things up on his much-anticipated album "Year of the Gentleman," pushed back to August 5 from a June release so he can record additional material. The new direction kicks off with Stargate-produced "Closer," similar rhythmically to Rihanna's dance anthem "Don't Stop the Music." "Closer" whispers, bumps and pops in all the right spots and should thump through the summer nights. Also of note is the stylishly hip video, in which the singer pays homage to Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra, implied in the album title.

ARTIST: THE GAME

SINGLE: PAIN (GEFFEN/INTERSCOPE)

On the first official single from upcoming third album "L.A.X.," rapper the Game spends most of his time paying homage to others, as opposed to simply bragging about himself. Atop a beat tailor-made for the West Coast and guest vocals from R&B singer Keyshia Cole, he succeeds in delivering a record that will appeal to mainstream radio and hip-hop heads alike. Considering that hip-hop is often excessively arrogant, this is a refreshingly humble song. Never one to hold back on dropping names, the Game explains his rap influences and their impact on hip-hop culture. These specifics prevent the song from being written off as a gimmick, instead making it a clever ode to hip-hop's elder statesmen.

ARTIST: KRISTEN PRICE

SINGLE: MAGIC TREE (KPI)

No, Kirsten Price isn't a porn queen, although she shares her name with an adult film star -- and has no qualms about it. Sex oozes from Price's growling laugh midway through "Magic Tree" from self-assured debut album "Guts & Garbage." From the moody beginning of the single, it's clear the London-born Brooklyn resident is tougher than most chanteuses -- who could find appeal with fans of Joss Stone's soulful funk or the crunchy rock of KT Tunstall. Admitted influences like Leonard Bernstein, Bach, Motown -- and Prince for some dirty rock -- are evident in "Tree."

Reuters/Billboard