2011 saw many British artists go global; with the likes of Tinie Tempah, Adele and Jessie J all scoring big hits across the pond as well as in the UK.

It was also a year which witnessed the rise and fall of 'on air, on sale' - the industry's attempt to reduce illegal downloading - meaning the singles charts became a free-for-all with the buying public.

But which are our favourites of the year? Digital Spy counts down its top 25 singles of 2011, which can be viewed by moving through the gallery below:

From the arrival of Jessie J and Katy B to the return of some of music's biggest players, it's fair to say that 2011 was another important year in music.

It was a year which saw dubstep go pop, Adele become a global success and Rihanna release her sixth album in as many years.

But which are our favourites of the year? Digital Spy counts down its top 25 albums of 2011, which can be viewed by moving through the gallery below:

Listen to our ten favourite songs this week, including Diana Vickers, Adam Lambert, Ren Harvieu and Nicole Scherzinger.

Diana Vickers: 'Kiss of A Bullet'
We'll admit we were concerned for Diana Vickers after she "parted ways" with her old record label, but judging by the sound of her recent material - released for free online - there is little to worry about. Her latest offering 'Kiss of A Bullet' marks a more mature direction and her once-Marmite vocal has softened into a smoky, sultry purr.

Wednesday's official chart update saw Little Mix on course to top the singles chart with their X Factor winner's single, while Michael Buble had climbed into pole position on the albums tally.

Ahead of Sunday's official announcement, Digital Spy looks at Friday's midweek chart.

Little Mix continue to reign over the singles chart with 'Cannonball', followed by Coldplay's 'Paradise' at two.

Olly Murs's 'Dance With Me Tonight' has ousted Leona Lewis from third place, and she now sits at number five.

Meanwhile, Rizzle Kicks' 'Mama Do The Hump' enters at number 22, Katy Perry's 'The One That Got Away' climbs from 31 to 23 and Lady GaGa remains at 30 with 'Marry The Night'.

On the albums chart, Buble's Christmas continues to hold Amy Winehouse's Hidden Treasures off the top, while Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto is at three.

Adele's 21 remains at six, and Westlife's Greatest Hits holds at ten.

Next week's releases is the biggie - the race for Christmas number one. As well as the usual contenders from Mariah Carey and The Pogues, Justin Bieber's 'Mistletoe' and TOWIE's rendition of 'Last Christmas' will be hoping to come out on top.

Can Little Mix hold on for a second week at number one? Leave your comments in the box below:

Say hello to Hannah Clark (aka FOE) - a 21-year-old pop-grunge obsessive whose style is described as "funeral glamour".

After spending her teenage years locked away writing songs and designing her own artwork and fanzines, she was eventually picked up by a label after posting her work online.

With her debut album Bad Dream Hotline - inspired by the likes of Nirvana, PJ Harvey and Sonic Youth - out next month, we called her up to find out what else she has planned for 2012.

How's your week been?
"I did my first video shoot on Monday, which was quite an experience. It's for the next single 'Cold Hard Rock'."

Do you perform any stunts in it?
"Kind of! We did this bit in a freezing swimming pool - I didn't last very long. I was also on a treadmill for a lot of the video. My body was killing me the next day! Hopefully that footage will make it in. I find it really hard staying under water so I probably look a bit scared."

You've been quite busy of late; what was a normal week like before you signed a record deal?
"Things are definitely getting busier at the moment. Normally I would just be at home writing and doing artwork. I tend to stay in my flat in Hampshire most of the time. Now I have to be in London a lot, which is good, but I prefer being locked away!"

Listen to 'Cold Hard Rock' below:



Your press release describes you as someone who is not a "people person"; how do you feel about the prospect of moving to London?
"I know! I think that's why I've put off moving to London for so long. It costs £30 on the train everyday, so it's getting quite expensive. The trains are outrageous."

Have you always preferred hiding away?
"I guess so. It's not that I'm unfriendly, I just prefer being in my own comapny. I was like that at school too. I preferred writing music to having friends. Maybe it was that I didn't like school in the first place."

Being in the music industry obviously conflicts with that...
"I've always known that I wanted to write music. I finished college a few years ago and I wasn't sure what to do, so I kept writing and got lucky that my work was picked up online. I was worried about getting involved in the industry as I didn't want it to kill music for me. It was also an opportunity that I couldn't turn down - I'm very appreciative for what's happened to me in the last few months."

You're signed to Vertigo at Mercury Records; have you had to make many compromises with your music?
"I've been very lucky that the label has allowed me to get on with the album that I've written and do it by myself. I've had to make very few compromises - they seem to be happy with how I'm doing things and they didn't really want to change it."

Your debut album is called Bad Dream Hotline; how would you describe it?
"My songs are quite personal to me in a way, but some of the music is quite intense, grungy but also quite poppy. A good melody is important to me. It's a combination of my influences - I love Nirvana, PJ Harvey and Sonic Youth - but I've always had the idea of writing a melodic song that people can follow. Hopefully it's a mix of the two."

What's your favourite track on the album?
"The album is a lot more varied - the stuff I've released so far is quite hard and loud. There's a ballad on the album that I'm very happy with called 'Dance and Weep'. It's more of an overview of my writing styles."

Your live shows have been described as a "twisted prospect" - what does that mean?
"I quite like dressing up and wearing wigs on stage. I guess it's quite chaotic too. I like the idea of it being its own thing away from the album. It's more of a show than the album."

Are you keen for chart success?
"Yes and no. I feel quite sad listening to a lot of the charts. Hopefully people who appreciate music will look past that and delve into other things. It doesn't concern me for my own success - it would be weird for my songs to be played alongside some of what's out there. I guess I'll play it be ear and see what happens!"

FOE's debut album Bad Dream Hotline is out on January 16.

Listen to our ten favourite tracks below, including Pink, Goldfrapp, Miike Snow and Leona Lewis.

Pink: 'Bridge Of Light'
Despite having well and truly worn out last year's Greatest Hits...So Far!!!, we'd prepared ourselves for an extended wait for any new Pink material. So as you can imagine, we were rather pleased when we spotted that she'd recorded a song for Happy Feet II, where she also voices the role of Gloria. Better yet, it's a stadium-ready torch ballad that only she knows how. RC

Wednesday's official chart update saw the The X Factor lot on course for a second week at the top, while Amy Winehouse looked certain to steal the lead on the albums chart.

Ahead of Sunday's official announcement, Digital Spy looks at the final midweek tally.

The X Factor finalists' charity single 'Wishing On A Star' has been pushed down to second place, overtaken by Olly Murs's 'Dance With Me Tonight'.

Flo Rida's 'Good Feeling' rises from five to three, pushing Lloyd, Andre 3000 and Lil Wayne's 'Dedication To My Ex' down to four.

T-Pain and Lily Allen's '5 O'Clock' has ascended from 11 to seven, and Coldplay round out the top ten with 'Paradise'.

Further down the chart, Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' lifts from 15 to 13, Sway's 'Still Speeding' dips from 13 to 16, and Justin Bieber's 'Mistletoe' holds at 24.

Amy Winehouse's 'Our Day Will Come' jumps from 30 to 28, and Wham! leap from 36 to 30 with 'Last Christmas'.

On the albums chart, Winehouse remains at number one with Lioness: Hidden Treasures, followed by Michael Buble's Christmas and Rebecca Ferguson's Heaven in that order.

Elsewhere, Rihanna's Talk That Talk remains at five, and Bruno Mars holds at ten with Doo Wops & Hooligans.

Meanwhile, Alfie Boe's self-titled LP is at 15, and The Black Keys fall from 21 to 26 with El Camino.

Next week's single releases include Cee Lo Green's 'Anyway' and Wretch 32's 'Forgiveness', while Jai McDowall releases his debut set Believe.

Can any of them top next week's chart? Leave your comments in the box below:

This year's nominees for the Brit Awards Critics' Choice prize have been announced; and as with previous years, the shortlisted acts are all more than deserving of the accolade.

For those not yet in the know, Digital Spy has provided a rundown of the artists nominated below and asks you to vote for who you would like to see pick up the award.

Emeli Sande
The Scottish singer-songwriter quietly made a name for herself by writing hits for Cher Lloyd and Susan Boyle, as well as featuring on a number of tracks including Chipmunk's 'Diamond Rings'. Her debut single 'Heaven' zoomed to number two in the charts, and she releases her debut album Our Version of Events in February next year.

Listen to Sande perform 'Heaven' live below:



Maverick Sabre
The 21 year-old London-Irish singer quickly earned himself widespread critical acclaim following a performance on Later with Jools Holland. His debut single 'Let Me Go' and follow-up 'I Need' blends his soulful voice and socially-aware lyrics with a distinctive rapping style. His album Lonely Are The Brave is out in early 2012.

Listen to Sabre's live performance of 'I Used To Have It All' below:



Michael Kiwanuka
The London star picked up a huge following after supporting Adele's UK and Europe tour dates earlier this year. He released his debut EP Tell Me A Tale in March this year, and mixes R&B; with acoustic guitars and his soul-packed vocal. Expect his debut album early next year.

Watch his live performance of 'I'm Getting Ready' below:



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