I don't remember what other songs I'd heard from Little Boots earlier.
Maybe "smarter" wasn't the most accurate term to use. I'm not even sure what I meant - maybe artists who seem to have more control over their own destinies, rather than just readily-manufactured and factory-line assembled pop like Britney.
I'd even put Lady GaGa into that first category, as she (I think?) writes her own stuff, and from what I've seen in live performances online, knows her way around music and is more talented than what you might assume just by hearing her songs. Plus, I fully believe she is doing exactly what she wants to as an artist, which right now appears to be just being kind of generally kooky. But she comes across to me like she' in controlf of what she's doing and knows exactly what she's doing.
But anyway. I'm rambling and don't mean to turn this into a Lada GaGa discussion or anything. I like some pop that's assembly-line produced (like Britney) and pop that's less mindless and at least appears to have a bit more going on than mass-produced radio friendly bubblegum.
No problem, I guess that's what I got from 'smarter' anyway.
Yes, she writes all her songs (not alone, but she gets songwriting credits in every The Fame song.) Indeed, it looks like she's running whatever is going around her, the opposite of Britney like you said. And if she's trying to look kooky, it's working.
(Actually, I really like this 'look' she's using.)
Maybe some people get annoyed at her 'cause one may think that she's trying to make her songs seem more 'important' than they really are. That's just stupid to me anyway, if it's a good song, it's a good song genre aside. I don't know... Well, there's people talking about her everywhere on this forum. Like you said, let's leave this part without Gaga quarrel.
I'm also looking forward to checking out LaRoux, who I've also been reading a lot about, and I think has gotten kind of lumped in as "new and exciting dance pop" along with Little Boots.
Maybe it's because they're European and therefore more "exotic" to me, since they're not being shoved down my throat in America like Britney and Miley as the everyday mindless pop.
Are you familiar with Robyn? Her album is AMAZING and I wish she'd had more success here in the States. I'd also recommend Roisin Murphy, who is interesting. Ooh, and I liked the album Ghosts by Siobahn Donaghy, who I think used to be in Sugababes.
Hmmm... LaRoux, never heard about this one. I'll check it out. If it's good as Little Boots, I guess this is gonna be an interesting - to say the least - week round here, musically speaking.
Yeah, lately it seems to get harder and harder for European pop acts to break in U.S. Hell, any european act I guess.
Robyn... I do know some stuff, not a lot but something. I can't remember it well though. Another one I'll be trying to listen asap then. Roisin Murphy, don't know that one either (there goes me appearing to have some knowledge in this area.
)
Siobahn... I've heard some songs from her too when Ghosts came out, it got some good reviews back then if I remember correctly and I liked it too. Anyway, I don't think I have any of her songs on my pc right now. I'll have to get this one too. Busy day tomorrow downloading stuff.
Oh, and thanks a lot for those recommendations.
Really.
(Ok, Britney, this one I don't like at all.) Anyway, any recommendations on those smarter stuff would be welcome. 
