Given America’s ongoing descent into an authoritarian dictatorship led by a cruel and corrupt narcissistic lunatic and pedophile who operates like a literal mob boss, I haven’t been in the frame of mind to write about music since the start of the year. I’m still feeling pretty disheartened and anxious about what new horrors Combover Caligula will unleash upon us in the coming weeks and months, but wanted to write a post of my current favorite songs mainly because a few of my favorite indie music acts have songs on this week’s chart, and this is my way of letting them know.

First off, the amazing singer-songwriter sombr holds the top spot for a fifth week with his song “12 to 12”. The talented 20-year-old was nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy, and his song “back to friends” was my favorite song last year. Moving into second place is “Zombie” by English singer-songwriter, musician and actor YUNGBLUD (born Dominic Richard Harrison). The biggest upward mover is “Lost Your Ghost” by New York City-based singer-songwriter and musician Two Feet (aka Bill Dess), jumping nine spots to #21.

The aforementioned favorite indie acts with songs on this chart are English psychedelic rock band Future Theory, who’s fantastic track “The Fear” spends its fifth week in the top 3 (peaking at #2 last week), Virginia singer-songwriter and musician Talk in Waves (aka Jake Mimikos), who’s “Waiting for Me” sits at #24, and Welsh singer-songwriter and musician Secret Postal Society (aka Craig Mapstone), who’s song “Heather” debuts at #29. Other new debuts include “The Great Divide” by singer-songwriter Noah Kahan, at #26, “SWEET LOVE” by young Nashville-based singer-songwriter Stephen Sanchez, at #27, “Slumber Party” by Chicago-based alternative rock band Brigitte Calls Me Baby, at #28, and “The Old Law” by American singer-songwriter, musician and producer Father John Misty (aka Joshua Michael Tillman), at #30. (It seems nearly every artist has a musical alter-ego.)

1. 12 TO 12 – sombr (1) 5th week at #1
2. ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (5)
3. THE FEAR – Future Theory (2)
4. GET THE MESSAGE – The Paradox (3)
5. INFINITE SOURCE – Deftones (6)
6. WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (9)
7. WHITE HORSES – Wolf Alice (7)
8. HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (8)
9. DRACULA – Tame Impala (4) Spent 3 weeks at #1
10. I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (10)
11. HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (13)
12. TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (15)
13. TANANA – Portugal. The Man (11)
14. RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (12)
15. ASKING FOR A FRIEND – Foo Fighters (14)
16. ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO DEPRESSED – Joyce Manor (17)
17. DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (19)
18. HOLY ROLLER – The Format (20)
19. LOST – almost monday (21)
20. THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (22)
21. LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (30)
22. STAY IN YOUR LANE – Courtney Barnett (16)
23. WORLD APART – Bike Routes (27)
24. WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (28)
25. COBRA – Geese (29)
26. THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (N)
27. SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (N)
28. SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (N)
29. HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (N)
30. THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (N)