
The beautiful anthem “Zombie” by English singer-songwriter, musician and actor YUNGBLUD takes over the top spot on my chart this week after sombr’s five-week run with “12 to 12”. He calls the song a “love letter to nurses”, and it covers me with goosebumps every time I hear it. From his fourth studio album Idols, released in June 2025, “Zombie” is the first of his singles to reach #1 on my chart, as well as the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart. Both song and album were nominated for Grammys. His 2022 single “Funeral” reached #3 on my chart and ranks #40 on my 100 Best Songs of 2022 list.
Born Dominic Richard Harrison, the charismatic YUNGBLUD’s music has been described as alternative rock, featuring elements of pop-punk, pop rock and hip-hop. He’s cited a wide range of musical influences, including such artists as Arctic Monkeys, The Beatles, The Cure, Nirvana, Avril Lavigne, the Clash, Soundgarden, My Chemical Romance, Marilyn Manson, Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, Elton John, Chrissie Hynde, Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie and the Banshees, Lady Gaga, Lorde, Post Malone, Kanye West, Eminem, and Katy Perry. He also had a close friendship with Ozzy Osbourne, who he considered a mentor. (Wikipedia)
Earlier this month, YUNGBLUD won the Grammy for Best Rock Performance for his cover of the Black Sabbath song “Changes”, featuring Frank Bello on bass, Nuno Bettencourt on guitar, Sleep Token II on drums, and Adam Wakeman on keyboards. Recorded at the Back to the Beginning benefit concert by Black Sabbath, along with a number of supporting artists, on July 5, 2025, the song was released as a charity single later that month.
In other chart news of note, “who’s your boyfriend” by Australian duo Royel Otis advances three spots to #3, while Deftones‘ “infinite source” moves up a spot to #4 and Brandi Carlile‘s inspirational “Human” moves up three spots to #5. L.A.-based alternative pop-rock band The Neighbourhood enter the top 10 with their lovely “Hula Girl”. Vermont folk rock artist Noah Kahan has the biggest upward mover this week with “The Great Divide”, which leaps 15 spots to #11, while “Lost Your Ghost” by Brooklyn, New York artist Two Feet jumps seven spots to #14.
The lone new entry this week is “Parachute” by singer-songwriter Haley Williams, who’s also a member of and lead vocalist for Nashville-based rock band Paramore. The song is from her third solo album Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party, released last August.
- ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (2)
- 12 TO 12 – sombr (1)
- WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (6)
- INFINITE SOURCE – Deftones (5)
- HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (8)
- THE FEAR – Future Theory (3)
- GET THE MESSAGE – The Paradox (4)
- WHITE HORSES – Wolf Alice (7)
- I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (10)
- HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (11)
- THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (26)
- TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (12)
- DRACULA – Tame Impala (9)
- LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (21)
- ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO DEPRESSED – Joyce Manor (16)
- DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (17)
- RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (14)
- HOLY ROLLER – The Format (18)
- LOST – almost monday (19)
- THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (20)
- TANANA – Portugal. The Man (13)
- WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (24)
- WORLD APART – Bike Routes (23)
- COBRA – Geese (25)
- SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (27)
- SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (28)
- HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (29)
- THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (30)
- ASKING FOR A FRIEND – Foo Fighters (15)
- PARACHUTE – Hayley Williams (N)
Dang good list, a lot of those are artists are ones I have a deep appreciation for. Brandi, PTM, Hayley Willliams, Foo Fighters, Deftones, Noah Kahan. Brian Lambert just did a cover of a Sombr song, that’s an artist that’s been popping up in conversation lately for me.
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Thanks, Ben. Lots of great artists and bands are putting out some very fine music now.
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FOR sure. It’s kinda sad, “sombr” if you will… ayyyeeoo… that dark times brood really good art for some reason
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Yes, I’ve always believed that some of the best music comes from songwriters and musicians either going through, or at least being conscious observers of, darkness and/or personal suffering.
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I really liked that Hayley Williams record, lots of good songs.
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I need to listen to more of her album.
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