'Don't Stop' listening to Annie

The title of Annie's long-awaited album is a command. "Don't Stop;" and, the way things are going for the 31-year-old Norwegian pop star, she shouldn't. Ever.

The road to "Don't Stop," however, was paved with a number of barriers; for nearly a year fans were held up, teased and taunted, until its final, official release. Songs were scrapped and left by the wayside. Projects were abandoned; collaborations, kaput!

"I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me" and "Anthonio," two of the biggest singles from the project, are not even found on the normal U.S. edition of the album.

Hardships put aside: "Don't Stop" is quite possibly the best pop album of the year and a sweet note to close a decade of electropop fantasies, which Annie's 2004 "Anniemal" helped kickstart.

It's a difficult endeavor, after a listen or two (or three, or four million) to not let the album get under your skin and stay there, like a delightful Nordic tic.

"Hey Annie" starts the album on a Gwen Stefani-like note and calls to mind one of her biggest breakthrough singles, "Chewing Gum (wherein the lyrics typically involve "Hey Annie, blah blah blah!").

"I Don't Like Your Band" is the insanely catchy robotic lead single of the album and will be in your head, playing on repeat, for the next month after your first encounter. Enjoy.

Alex Kapranos of the band Franz Ferdinand makes a grand appearance, playing the guitar on both "Loco" and the spunky "My Love Is Better."

Mysteriously absent-from this version, at least, again-is the track with Frederick Saroea, from the band Datarock, "I Can't Let Go." It's disappointing that it didn't make it to the final American cut, but enough manages to make up for it.

Enough? "When the Night"-a treat too honestly saccharine not to savor just a little; "Take You Home," a dark and seductive cut; and "Marie Cherie," which would sound interesting in an European horror film.

And make sure not to skip "The Breakfast Song," at least once.

WHAT DO YOU WANT, WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR BREAKFAST? Yes, that's the song. And I don't think it's cereal she's talking about.

Her longtime collaborator, Richard X, is present periodically throughout the album, such as during the irresistible and panicky "Song Reminds Me of You," which might have what it takes to be a radio hit if we, on this side of the Atlantic, weren't so stuck on Miley.

And "Don't Stop" is a dizzy number, which doesn't earn its keep until about halfway through. Just keep waiting for that point.

Now, you may not be familiar with Annie, but you should be. Europop isn't all about embarrassing spandex and Aqua. Annie proves that. Her album is well-manufactured pop music, the stuff that Lady Gaga dreams of creating but won't, until she spends some time in Siberia (or, at least, Oslo) for several years, seeking spiritual fulfillment. If you ever caught yourself in the act of enjoying a Kylie Minogue song (and who could blame you?) give Annie a shot.

She won't stop and she shouldn't.

9.7/10 PIECES OF FALLING SNOW

NOVEMBER 19, 2009