Fontaines D.C. remain on top for a third week with their heartwarming “Favourite”, while The Cure switches places with Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars as “A Fragile Thing” moves up a notch to #2 and “Die With A Smile” drops to #3. Dexter and The Moonrocks jump five spots to #4 with their bombastic earworm “Sad in Carolina”, while Beach Weather move up two spots with their sultry “Hardcore Romance” to round out the top five. The wonderful “The Faithful Heart” by Los Angeles-based Wons Phreely + The Horses is this week’s biggest upward mover, leaping 16 spots to #12.

Making their debut are songs by two acts who are totally new to me. The first, entering at #29, is “Gild the Lily” by Michigan-based singer-songwriter and bluegrass musician Billy Strings. Born William Lee Apostol, he was given his stage name Billy Strings from his aunt, who recognized his impressive skills playing multiple traditional bluegrass instruments. He’s been releasing music as a solo artist since 2017, and has won numerous music awards, including a Grammy in 2021 for Best Bluegrass Album for his second album Home. The pleasing “Gild the Lily” is from his fourth album Highway Prayers, a 20-track colossus released this past September.

Entering at #30 is the boisterous “Peace Song” by English techno punk band Fat Dog. Formed in South London in 2020, the band consists of Joe Love, Chris Hughes, Morgan Wallace, Jacqui Wheeler and Johnny ‘Doghead’ Hutch. They released their debut seven-minute long single “King of the Slugs” in 2023, followed by a number of singles which culminated in the release of their debut album WOOF. this past September. Their latest single “Peace Song” dropped November 21st, and it was love at first listen for me.

1. FAVOURITE – Fontaines D.C. (1)
2. A FRAGILE THING – The Cure (3)
3. DIE WITH A SMILE – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars (2)
4. SAD IN CAROLINA – Dexter and The Moonrocks (9)
5. HARDCORE ROMANCE – Beach Weather (7)
6. CAN’T SLOW DOWN – almost monday (6)
7. NOBODY’S SOLDIER – Hozier (8)
8. PEACEFUL PLACE – Leon Bridges (4)
9. BOTHERING ME – Sarah Blasko (10)
10. THAT’S HOW I’M FEELING – Jack White (5)
11. NEVERENDER – Justice & Tame Impala (12)
12. THE FAITHFUL HEART – Wons Phreely + The Horses (28)
13. SUPERSAD – Suki Waterhouse (15)
14. BOBBY SOX – Green Day (16)
15. KINKY – bby (17)
16. A TEAR IN SPACE (AIRLOCK) – Glass Animals (18)
17. BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Billie Eilish (11)
18. MIND GAME (3:33) – Collette McLafferty & John Serrano (21)
19. DOPAMINE – Sum 41 (22)
20. IN THE LIVING ROOM – Maggie Rogers (23)
21. ARROW – The Head and the Heart (24)
22. GIVING UP – Michigander (25)
23. GARMONBOZIA – Flying Lotus (13)
24. AUTUMN LEAVES – Secret Postal Society (26)
25. UP ALL NIGHT – James Bay, The Lumineers & Noah Kahan (14)
26. ROUTINES IN THE NIGHT – twenty one pilots (30)
27. THE DOOR – Teddy Swims (19)
28. THE EMPTINESS MACHINE – Linkin Park (20)
29. GILD THE LILY – Billy Strings (N)
30. PEACE SONG – Fat Dog (N)