WHO IS SHE?:Seductive 26-year-old Norwegian singer Annie Lilia Berge hasn't hit American shores yet, but when her album comes out early June, expect a seismic shift in the pop charts. Annie's electro-tinged production and coy singing aren't merely manufactured pop fluff. Taste-making music website Pitchfork hailed her 2004 single "Heartbeat" as the year's best song, even though it wasn't available domestically.

WHAT HAS SHE DONE?:
Originally a singer for an indie rock band, Annie embraced her inner-chanteuse and started recording an album of delicate pop songs with boyfriend Tore Andreas Kroknes. Tragedy struck when Tore died in 2001, and while Annie was crushed, she vowed to finish the album for her dearly departed. In quick succession, Annie learned to deejay, partnered with a friend to open the groovy Norwegian nightspot Pop Til You Drop, and began recording her debut album. Anniemal came out in Europe last year and stormed to the top of the charts.

WHY DO WE CARE?: Since Britney's become barefoot and pregnant and the Material Girl has gone mystic and maternal, America is practically begging for a sassy new female singing sensation. Armed with clever lyrics and cutting-edge production, Annie has the ability to outlast the next-big-thing buzz and become a star. And her pouty looks and beautiful blonde tresses won't hurt her case.

Playboy.com: Is the title of your CD Anniemal a nickname?

Annie: Well, when I started recording the "Greatest Hit" single I released five years ago, I was working with my boyfriend, who later died of a heart defect. He was always thinking and telling me that we had to make a track called "Anniemal." We never got to do it, but I always thought that was a good idea so I went ahead and did it. When I was thinking what to call the album, it just made sense. I thought calling the album "Greatest Hit" would be a bit too ambitious. [Laughs] Anniemal is simple and easy and good.

PB: On the track "Chewing Gum," you sing romantic advice to yourself. If you were talking to a guy and giving him romantic advice, what would you tell him?

A: Well, sometimes at clubs guys come over and ask, "Can we make out now?" and I don't know what to think. They think for some reason you want to be with them all the time. It's not very charming and it's not very attractive, so maybe I'd say take it a little bit easier. I don't find it nice when guys are being too direct. They need to take it easy and try to communicate.

PB: What do you look for in a guy?

A: That's a difficult question since I tend to like really weird guys. [Laughs] They can't take themselves too seriously. They shouldn't think too much about the way they look. They should shower and they shouldn't be afraid of laughing at themselves. I guess I'm very into music, so if they're into music I find that a bit attractive. They just have to be relaxed. They don't have to be very good looking.

PB: Would you describe yourself as a pop singer?

A: I don't see my music as pure pop music. I'm so inspired by so much music, like old New York disco and electronic music, that you can find certain things here and there. I don't know how to describe it.

PB: When did you open Pop Til You Drop and why?

A: That was quite a long time ago, about four years ago. My girlfriend and I opened it. I hadn't been a DJ for very long, and she had never done it before, so it was quite messy in the beginning. Records were everywhere. We were stepping on top of them. We were really nervous and figured it was going to go really bad. But we ended up doing well and started booking bands and artists like Peaches, and it was really, really fun. We only did it for a year and a half. I was too busy with music and my friend was too busy with school.

PB: Did you play with Peaches?

A: Actually, the other owner from Pop Til You Drop and I danced on the stage when Peaches played. I think she's a great artist.

PB: So you were the background dancer for Peaches?

A: It was quite fun.

PB: When you were a young kid did you have any pop star crushes?

A: I was really much in love with Joey from New Kids on the Block, but I was also in love with Joey from the Ramones. I named my cat Joey after both of them. I was really in love with both.

PB: Can you do all the NKOTB dances?

A: Yeah, I really liked them.

PB: You'll have to wait for someone to request it next time you deejay.

A: I'll never say no to New Kids.

Photo Credit: Magnus Unnas