Lady Gaga is back at the Top40 format and make no mistake about that. She comes complete with a wild video and all the trimmings as her new “Applause” (Streamline/Interscope) takes off in a very big way. Nikki Williams is getting plenty of action for her current single release. The single “Glowing” (Island) has got all of the makings of a #1 single and that’s exactly where this song is headed. It comes up every three hours in Los Angeles at KIIS/FM, a good solid indicator of a major hit record. The master in Flo Rida has teamed up with another pop ruler in Pitbull. Together they bring the track “Can’t Believe It” (Poe Boy/Atlantic) out to the field and the results are very strong. We can expect to see some big things head for this powerhouse pairing.

Taylor Swift has been taking her new best pal Ed Sheeran out on her big world tour and so far so good. They also created the duet “Everything Has Changed” (Big Machine/Universal) That seems to be working for the both of them at mainstream radio. Katy Perry is back to her old tricks in every way. With a brand new album and talk of another big tour, “Roar” (Capitol) is getting quite the buzz at radio. Maybe she’ll hit the road soon with her boyfriend John Mayer who never seems to like to share the spotlight. The two also have a duet together that will no doubt be released in the coming months.

Calvin Harris keeps rolling out the hits and this time out he’s taking Ellie Goulding out for a spin. “I Need Your Love”(Columbia/Sony) is their latest pairing and it has some good solid potential according to some of our key music and program directors. Anna Kendrick keeps pulling rabbits out of her hat. The actress turned recording artist is taking her debut single “Cups” (Republic/Universal/Mercury) to new heights. It’s been reported that it’s one of the shortest singles to become a hit in quite a long time. She may set a new record here.

Justin Timberlake (or as we call him here – JT) keeps rolling out the hits. His latest offering in “Take Back The Night” (RCA/RLG) is probably his best yet but he keeps confusing the issue by having too many singles rolling at the same time. His single “Mirrors” (RCA/RLG) is still very much alive so programmers are confused about which one to spend the most time on. The group Beyond The Sun has a brand new single out and about. “Shooting Star” (OM20) is their latest and so far it’s a real winner with our panel.

Grouplove has got a good thing going and they want to tell the entire world. “Ways To Go” (Atlantic/WEA) is the one that seems to be making the “most added” list from coast to coast. Many of you are also loving the new Bruno Mars. “Treasure” (Atlantic/WEA) is the latest from the new great one and it’s such a throw-back song from days of old that you just have to love it. Capital Cities continues to rule the world with their brilliant and powerful “Safe And Sound”(Capitol/EMI). Lorde is off and running and taking no prisoners with their “Royals” (Lava/Republic) debut that is truly out of this world.

Recording artist Allen D has a good thing going at the format. “In The Still Of the Night” (New Terra) has never had a bad week and our music and program directors are all over this one. Marsha Jewell continues strong week after week, Her latest single “You” (Jewell Lane) has the potential to go all the way. Matt Backer is closing in on the top spot with his brilliant “Let’s Art” (Right Records) single. Alina Artts continues to rock the charts big time as her debut “Hit The Red Light” (R.E.C.) passes the competition. Newcomer Zack Dust is off and running with his stellar debut “Good Morning California”. I’ll have more on the Top40 story next time in this column.