I just love Irish singer-songwriter Hozier, who’s had quite a resurgence over the past year or so with his critically acclaimed third studio album Unreal Unearth, which featured his two hit singles “Eat Your Young” and “Francesca”, his duet “Northern Attitude” with American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan, as well as his latest single “Too Sweet”. Released in late March a week after he dropped his fifth EP Unheard, the song has turned out to be his highest charting single both in the UK and on the Billboard Hot 100 where it reached #1 in April. Now it ascends to the top of my chart, becoming his fifth song to do so (including “Take Me to Church” in 2014, “Nina Cried Power”, featuring Mavis Staples, in 2018, “Eat Your Young” in 2023 and “Northern Attitude” earlier this year). The song’s lyrics are directed at a romantic partner with totally different lifestyle preferences – the singer enjoys staying up late and drinking alcohol and black coffee, in contrast with his partner who goes to bed early, eats healthy, etc. – in other words, she’s too sweet for him.

In other significant chart developments, the delightful “Burial Ground” by The Decemberists and James Mercer jumps six spots to #3, while “I’ve Got Loving For You” by Texas rock & roll band Bottlecap Mountain enters the top 10 at #10. Pearl Jam are the biggest upward movers this week with their latest single “Wreckage”, leaping 10 spots to #18.

And for the fourth consecutive week, there are three new debut songs, two of which are by Norwegian acts. Entering at #28 is the wonderfully infectious “Too Much” by Norwegian alternative indie pop artist girl in red, the music project of queer singer songwriter and producer Marie Ulven Ringheim, who’s been making music since the age of 16 (she’s now 25. “Too Much” was the lead single from her second album I’m Doing It Again Baby!, released in April. Next up is “Starburster” by Irish post-punk band Fontaines D.C., who’ve become one of my favorite bands over the past few years. I adore band frontman Grian Chatten’s sultry drone vocal style, and his rapping on this track is fantastic. “Starburster”, which I loved at first listen, is the lead single from their forthcoming fourth studio album Romance, due for release in August. Entering at #30 is the gorgeous darkwave gem “A Foretold Ecstasy” by Norwegian psych-noir/post-punk band Mayflower Madame. I featured the song last month in one of my Fresh New Tracks posts. 

1. TOO SWEET – Hozier (2)
2. MURDER ON THE DANCEFLOOR – Royel Otis (1)
3. BURIAL GROUND – The Decemberists & James Mercer (9)
4. CREATURES IN HEAVEN – Glass Animals (6)
5. OVERCOMPENSATE – twenty one pilots (3)
6. DILEMMA – Green Day (4)
7. DON’T FORGET ME – Maggie Rogers (5)
8. MUSTANG – Kings of Leon (8)
9. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT – Dead Slow Hoot (10)
10. I’VE GOT LOVING FOR YOU – Bottlecap Mountain (11)
11. CAPRICORN – Vampire Weekend (7)
12. FORTNIGHT – Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone (14)
13. BROKEN MAN – St. Vincent (16)
14. LONELINESS – Pet Shop Boys (18)
15. FOR US ALL – Asgard Raven (19)
16. PANORAMIC VIEW – AWOLNATION (20)
17. SCARED TO START – Michael Marcagi (22)
18. WRECKAGE – Pearl Jam (28)
19. ICE CREAM (PAY PHONE) – Black Pumas (12)
20. TIME – MISSIO (13)
21. GOLD – Caitlin Lavagna (24)
22. ON THE GAME – The Black Keys (25)
23. GOOD TIMES GO – The Kid and I (17)
24. ADRIFT – Voodoo Planet feat. Mikey J (27)
25. WANTING AND WAITING – The Black Crowes (15)
26. END OF BEGINNING – Djo (29)
27. THE BREAK – Blame My Youth (30)
28. TOO MUCH – girl in red (N)
29. STARBURSTER – Fontaines D.C. (N)
30. A FORETOLD ECSTASY – Mayflower Madame (N)