Talk in Waves, the newly-rechristened music project of Northern Virginia-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jake Mimikos that was formerly known as The Frontier, is a long-time favorite artist of mine. The talented, hard working guy skillfully blends elements of folk, pop, indie rock and electronica to create songs that are incredibly melodic, flawlessly crafted and always catchy, all self-recorded and produced in his home studio. As with many singer-songwriters, Jake’s songs are often inspired by personal experiences, touching on relatable topics like love, relationships and loss, which are expressed through lyrics that are honest and straightforward, and delivered with his warm, pleasing vocals.

His latest single “Like You Do” (which I reviewed in May) finally ascends to the #1 spot on my Top 30 after a long, steady climb. The bittersweet song is directed toward a former romantic partner who the singer desperately longs for, and wishes would come back into his life. It’s his fifth song to reach #1 on my chart, following “Dark Places” (2019), “Can We Go Back” (2021), “Closer” (2022) and “Walk Through the Fire” (2023), while his 2020 single “Sleep” reached #2.

In other chart news of note, both Cage the Elephant‘s “Rainbow” and Lola Young‘s “Messy” advance five spots to #3 and #4, respectively, while Billie Eilish moves up two spots to enter the top 10 with her lovely song “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”. “That’s How I’m Feeling” by Jack White also climbs five spots to #14, while “Peaceful Place” by Leon Bridges leaps eight spots to #20, making it the biggest upward mover this week.

Two songs enter my chart this week, starting with the hard-driving and soulful “The Door” by American singer-songwriter Teddy Swims (aka Jaten Collin Dimsdale). Co-written by Swims and John Ryan, John Sudduth, Sherwyn Nicholls, Joshua Coleman, and Julian Bunetta, he says the song is about saving his own life and finding the courage to walk out on an abusive relationship that played a part in driving his friends and family out of his life. (Wikipedia) “The Door” was originally released last September as one of the tracks on his debut album I’ve Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1), and as the album’s third single this past April. Swims reached #1 on my chart earlier this year with “Lose Control”. Entering at #30 is “Up All Night”, a rousing collaboration by a powerhouse lineup of English singer-songwriter James Bay, Colorado-based alternative folk band The Lumineers and Vermont singer-songwriter Noah Kahan. All three acts have previously scored #1 songs on my chart.

1. LIKE YOU DO – Talk in Waves (3)
2. LOST IN SPACE – Foster the People (1)
3. RAINBOW – Cage the Elephant (8)
4. MESSY – Lola Young (9)
5. ESPRESSO – Sabrina Carpenter (6)
6. THE CRAVING – twenty one pilots (2)
7. OH NO! – The Decemberists (5)
8. STARGAZING – Myles Smith (10)
9. STARBURSTER – Fontaines D.C. (4)
10. BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Billie Eilish (12)
11. GOOD LUCK, BABE! – Chappell Roan (13)
12. HIGH IN LOW PLACES – Beach Weather (7)
13. YOU JUST PLAYED MY MIND – Oli Barton (15)
14. THAT’S HOW I’M FEELING – Jack White (19)
15. WAR – Healer (16)
16. HONEY – Mr Bewlay (17)
17. INTO GOLD – London Grammar (18)
18. DEATH VALLEY HIGH – Orville Peck & Beck (20)
19. PANORAMIC VIEW – AWOLNATION (11) 20th week on chart
20. PEACEFUL PLACE – Leon Bridges (28)
21. WHAT IF I FEEL LIKE THIS MY WHOLE LIFE? – HULLAH (14)
22. PERMANENT RECORD – GG Fearn (22)
23. BIG CAT TATTOOS – Hamish Hawk (23)
24. HOLOGRAM – Raker (25)
25. GARMONBOZIA – Flying Lotus (26)
26. CAN’T SLOW DOWN – almost monday (29)
27. FAVOURITE – Fontaines D.C. (30)
28. THE DOOR – Teddy Swims (N)
29. WAKING LIFE – Nicholas a. Milillo feat. Dee Wolf, Bobby Jasso, Gabrielle Marella and the voice of Tony Milillo (21)
30. UP ALL NIGHT – James Bay, The Lumineers & Noah Kahan (N)