You and your iPod: If you’re anything like me, there’s a special bond between you and the tiny little gadget that houses your music collection. The perfect companion to a day at the beach or pool, it can also be your worst enemy when you can’t find anything among the 1,000 songs on your playlist to suit your mood.

To make sure that doesn’t happen, check out Egypt Today’s picks for the perfect summer soundtrack.

For the past 100 summers or so, the latest Amr Diab album has epitomized the beach scene from Sahel to as far away as Cannes. That tradition lives on, and some of us still run out to buy his latest offering and compete to see who can memorize the whole thing first.

But let’s be honest: The good old days of “Tamally Ma’ak” (Always With You) are gone. Last summer, it was Hamaky who defined lazy days and hot nights at the beach with his album Houbet Azam. No party was complete without the strains of “Kheles El Kalam” (The Words Ran Out) and “Ahla Haga Fiki” (The Best Thing About You) blaring out of speakers. His latest offering will definitely be one to remember.

Associated Press Joss Stone

The Brits are back this summer, with artists including Amy Winehouse, Mika and Lily Allen producing some of the finest pop on the scene. But this isn’t bubble gum, this is pop with an acid-rock edge. With a soulful, almost whiny voice, Winehouse doesn’t follow the time-tested pop formula and ‘he did me wrong’ songs of Jessica Simpson. Winehouse’s single, “Rehab” is a worldwide success, recently making it big in the States after enjoying over an entire month in the British ‘Top 10’.

Winehouse combines a rock edge and R&B voice with bitchy, prozac-latte lyrics, jazz fusion with a very contemporary edge. With a sound like that, her album Back to Black isn’t what you would normally call chill-out music, but the songs will get you in the mood for that Sahel vacation — where you might just need “Rehab.”

London seems to be on my mind this year, maybe because the music coming out from the good old United Kingdom is proving to be some of the best tunes since the Beatles dominated the scene — not that any of the artists compare to the Beatles. But still, Just Jack is taking the UK by storm with his debut album Glory Days. His first single, “Stars in Their Eyes” is a quirky pop/rap song with fun lyrics and a dark side. But he doesn’t depend only on the lyrics, the songs have a beat that is unique and head-bopping at the same time. Crank up the car stereo and you’ll be shimmying in your seat all the way to Sahel.

When Maroon 5 made their debut back in 2003, you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing “She Will Be Loved” and “This Love.” The band is back with the follow-up to its groundbreaking record Songs about Jane with its eagerly anticipated second album It Won’t Be Soon Before Long.

The pressure is on: The debut single, “Makes Me Wonder,” is a more glitzy rock song that just might prove that the band will never be as good as that first album. What is obvious, though, is that a lot has changed for the band, from the video to its overall style. Lead singer Adam Levine has abandoned his trademark jeans and T-shirts for blazers and shirts. Despite the pressure and the scrutiny the band will be under, listen to the song (without watching the video) before you make a judgment.

The irony and sarcasm is still there, the great bass line is very apparent and while his style may have gone high-end, Levine’s voice hasn’t. You may not like it as much as the first one, but it is still a definite must-have for your summer playlist.

I’m a big believer that there are few things that can make you feel as good as a great, not very important, pop song that you belt out at the top of your lungs in your bedroom, the car and even walking down the street. For that, Clarkson will always have quite the soft spot in my heart, for few songs make you want to sing out like Clarkson’s 2006 hit “Since You’ve Been Gone.” Now she’s back with the first single from her third album My December. “Never Again” is merely an attempt to capture the essence of her style from songs like “Walk Away” and “Behind These Hazel Eyes,” but it’s good nonetheless. The song is one of those ‘I’m going to find my own way, you’re not that important and you just let go of the best thing in your life’ kind of songs. She does it well and by the time August rolls along you’ll know all the lyrics and will be humming it to yourself.

OK, so technically Stadium Arcadium came out last summer, but this two-disc album will be on my playlist for a long time to come. The latest single “Hump De Bump” is a good-time song that will have you dancing in the street. What is great about this album is that each CD takes you from the full-fledged rock straight out of their glory days to the sensitive rocker vibe that appeals to the latest generation of rock fans. Laden with guitar riffs, the album is an instant classic, and rocking out to “Dani California,” well — there’s nothing like it, is there? The Chili Peppers have been together for the past 20 years and have yet to disappoint their fans.

Stadium Arcadium keeps on giving and you’re bound to find a song you love in the 20 songs on offer. The guys are rumored to be releasing an extended version of the album with previously unreleased songs, so keep your eyes peeled for the updated version.

With long blonde hair, bare feet and a distinct hippy style, 16-year-old Joss Stone broke onto the music scene in 2003 with major hits on both sides of the Atlantic, including “Super Duper Love” and “Don’t You Wanna Ride.”

Come 2007, Stone has ditched the 1960s lovechild look and is back with a racier image, big red and purple hair and the highest-of-high heels. The songs have also undergone a style makeover, with Stone flaunting a diva-esque attitude à la Aretha Franklin and Donna Summer. The only problem is, the image of the new album seems contrived and almost pretentious. Her makeover needs to be undone, bringing back the bubbly hippy child we fell in love with.

Attitude adjustment aside, Stone’s third offering, Introducing Joss Stone, and the first single “Tell Me ‘Bout It Do” is quite good with a raspy jazz concept mixed with a strong soul and R&B influence. Stone may not be able to sell the look very well, but we very much like the music.