Now 23

The always popular NOW That's What I Call Music series continues to go from strength to strength. Can you believe we're up to Volume 23?! And there's no sign of the momentum slowing with this latest compilation of superstars going straight to the top of the Billboard 200 albums chart. Here are 20 hot cuts that are guaranteed to get your party started.

There's plenty of variety here and, naturally, tons of No. 1s. You could put your player on "random" and you'll be happy wherever it takes you. One fun starting point might be the deuce of hits from the former Mr. and Mrs. Jessica Simpson.

Nick Lachey's "I Can't Hate You Anymore" is obviously a message to his ex-wife -- a pretty acoustic ballad with a power chorus and heartfelt lyrics: "We built it up to watch it fall/ Like we meant nothing at all/ I gave and gave the best of me/ But couldn't give you what you need." Jessica doesn't address the relationship so directly, but the title itself -- "A Public Affair" -- is clearly a reference to it. And instead of opting for a ballad approach she goes with an upbeat dance music sound with a hint of old-style disco. The lyrics look to the future (and reclaimed freedom), not the past: "There go the street lights/ The night's officially on/ I got the green light/ To do whatever we want."

It seems there's a new appreciation of soul music amongst today's pop purveyors and it's in evidence all over the place on NOW 23. Take for instance "Ain't No Other Man" by the fabulous Christina Aguilera. There's some serious big brass soul happening here -- not to mention some serious full-force vocals. Christina's voice just gets better with every phase of her career and she really lets it rip over the chunky beat of this hot chili pepper of a song. In fact, she sounds like she could be Aretha Franklin's progeny.

But getting back to the variety thing. Teddy Geiger gives us some classy piano pop with "These Walls." Check out the bouncy beat and super-hook chorus. Meanwhile, that girl Fergie gets very sassy with the Mardi Gras rhythms and honking horns of "London Bridge."

It doesn't end there -- not even close. Justin Timberlake's "Sexyback" (featuring Timbaland) is a total floor-filler: a hypnotic dance groove with a dash of rave. Want to rock out? Try OK Go's "Here It Goes Again" and you won't be disappointed. Romantic ballads with some guitar starch? We've got "Lips Of An Angel" from Hinder and the excellent "Far Away" from Nickelback. Did I hear a call for some country? Kenny Chesney to the rescue! The buoyant country pop of "Summertime" will satisfy you. Also here are Nelly Furtado, The Pussycat Dolls, Beyonc￩, JoJo and more, more, more!

Now 23 is your one-stop shop for everything big that's been happening on the charts in recent times. You've heard these songs on the radio and loved them. Now you can have them any time you want them.

By Adrian Zupp