"Gavin DeGraw's self-titled third album, released in May, reached No. 7 on the Billboard 200, a high-flying achievement for the singer/songwriter, whose previous "In Love With a Girl" hit top five at adult top 40 earlier this year. "Cheated on Me" is perhaps the pop strummer's most promising mainstream bid since 2004 Billboard Hot 100 debut "I Don't Want to Be," the top 10 theme from "One Tree Hill." A live band instrumental stamp, led by guitars and piano, drive a frank, confessional lyric about suspicions of his lady's infidelity: "Am I even on your mind or are you in/Someone else's eyes, someone else's arms." DeGraw's strong vocal skills would be better showcased with less layering, but his savvy as a songwriter, armed with this killer track, should help separate him from the pack and boost name recognition to staple status."

Chuck Taylor
Billboard.com