Late July is generally the hottest time of year for many locations in the Northern Hemisphere, and that’s definitely true for my part of the world in the Southwestern U.S. desert, where we’re experiencing our hottest temperatures so far in 2026 – 115-118 degrees Fahrenheit (46-48 C). (Which begs the question, why the fuck do I live here?!?) Needless to say, that means spending much of our time indoors, where listening to music helps to pass the time and cool tempers.
Speaking of tempers, after sombr’s three-week run at #1with “Homewrecker”, Israeli-American alternative rock band Temper City take over the top spot with their monster debut single “Self Aware”. Released in February, the earworm quickly went viral on TikTok and has now amassed over 324 million streams on Spotify, and nearly 20 million views on YouTube. I liked it at first listen, as that chorus is so damned catchy!
The song has become a worldwide hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart and the top 10 in Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK. The track’s style and sound have been compared to acts like Steve Lacy, Hozier, Cage the Elephant and The Neighbourhood. Temper City was founded in Los Angeles in 2021 by singer-songwriter Eytan Peled together with the producer duo Sync, consisting of Aviv Barenholtz and Chen Kordova, who’ve known each other since they were 12 years old. The three friends had previously worked together writing songs for pop and EDM artists, including Zeds Dead, Dimitri Vegas and Barns Courtney, and now have their very own hit single.
In other chart developments of note, two songs enter the top 10: “Doors” by Vermont-based singer-songwriter Noah Kahan and “Picking Dragons’ Pockets” by the always zany and edgy Portland, Oregon band Modest Mouse, at #s 8 & 10, respectively.
There’s only one new debut again the week: “Beaches In Tennessee” by the aforementioned Cage the Elephant. Formed in 2006 in Bowling Green, Kentucky and based in Nashville since 2009 (after two years spent in London, England) the band is comprised of frontman Matt Shultz (vocals), his older brother Brad Shultz (rhythm guitar), Nick Bockrath (lead guitar), Matthan Minster (guitar, keyboards), Daniel Tichenor (bass), and Jared Champion (drums). “Beaches In Tennessee” has debuted quite high on the various alternative charts, and while I’ve loved many Cage the Elephant songs, I’m still lukewarm about it.
- SELF AWARE – Temper City (3)
- HOMEWRECKER – sombr (1)
- EXIT WOUND – Ships Have Sailed (5)
- FREAKIN’ OUT – Dexter and The Moonrocks (2)
- GOOD2B – Goose (4)
- REPEAT OFFENDER – Gloom Is Okay (8)
- RAGING HALLS – Lyia Meta (10)
- DOORS – Noah Kahan (12)
- GOING SHOPPING – The Strokes (6)
- PICKING DRAGONS’ POCKETS – Modest Mouse (11)
- PRIVATE – The Neighbourhood (13)
- REIN ME IN – Sam Fender & Olivia Dean (14)
- HEADLIGHTS – In Color (7)
- ONLINE – Western Jaguar (16)
- MARATHONS – Sorry Ghost (15)
- DROP DEAD – Olivia Rodrigo (9)
- RIDE LONESOME – Beck (17)
- GO FUCK URSELF – Fat Dog (22)
- WHO WILL YOU FOLLOW – Evanescence (21)
- RIPTIDES – Death Cab for Cutie (18)
- UNTIL THE SUN EXPLODES – Sublime (19)
- THE ENDLESS BORDER – Velvet Jesus (24)
- HEART STOP – The Revivalists (26)
- IN THE STARS – The Rolling Stones (27)
- NO MORE REGRETS – almost monday (28)
- HERE – Mumford & Sons with Sierra Ferrell (25)
- FREAKING OUT – Michigander (29)
- HOLD ME IN THE DARK – Myles Smith (30)
- BEACHES IN TENNESSEE – Cage the Elephant (N)
- BACK IN LOVE – Suki Waterhouse (20)
ECLECTIC MUSIC LOVER 
Temper City’s track is truly a monster. I can’t keep it out of my head. Dude, 115 degrees is nuts. I would combust. Come visit me in CT. 82 sunny low humidity.
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It’s an ear worm for sure, Ralph! And I’m tempted to go to Connecticut.
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Sounds hot! I like the vocal on that Temper City song.
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It’s almost too hot for human habitation, which is why I and 450,000 others – not to mention the 5 million-plus inhabitants of Phoenix – are crazy to live here!
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First of all, sorry these insane temperatures in your neck of the woods. This summer in central New Jersey has also seen its share of crazy weather, which has included both high temperatures and torrential rain and just the other day reportedly a small tornado. That said, I don’t think we got all the way up to 118 F – I think perhaps 110 F at some point!
Anyway, I instantly dig your new no. 1. I would characterize it as catchy with a slight edge – cool combo! That new Cage the Elephant song sounds neat as well.
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Yes, the Northeast and mid-Atlantic have had some exceptionally hot weather this summer, and it looks the the upper Midwest is now under another heatwave. Here in the Southern California desert, Las Vegas and greater Phoenix, it’s essentially a heatwave from Memorial Day to at least Labor Day!
“Self Aware” is definitely catchy, which is why it’s become a worldwide hit.
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eek! temps have been pushing 40C in the UK at times over the last 2 months which is record-breaking heat in houses that have no aircon. It’s literally been like a stroll through Death Valley on a milder day, so your temps are really freakish! And I lived in equatorial Singapore for 2 years with ceiling fans, endless mosquitos and high humidity!
Self Aware is a good track, enjoying that one myself too!
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Global warming seems to be a reality this year in many parts of the world.
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Yeah, as others have mentioned, temperatures here in the UK have been really high this summer, but unlike the US, houses, offices, buses, trains, and even shops are completely unprepared for it. Very few places have proper A/C units, so it feels like hell.
I had a portable A/C unit that conveniently broke down right before the last heatwave, and now it’s impossible to find a new one unless you are willing to pay 3x-4x the normal prices, because humans being humans, someone has to profit form this.
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Thanks for the new lineup Jeff! I love the top 5, and the last 3 so far, but I see some more in the middle I need to check out! Stay cool and safe in that brutal heat! 🔥 😉🎧 🎶
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Thanks for commenting, Tiffany, and I’m glad you like a lot of my picks! I’ve been thinking lately of giving up on doing these posts, but your enthusiasm has encouraged me to keep at it.
Our heat has been brutal the past week, with no letup in sight. I’ve lived here nearly 15 years, but summer seems harder to endure with each passing year. I look forward to October, sigh.
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Don’t stop, there are lots of us that enjoy your blog, seriously, I might not discover new music without you! So, for some reason I am staying in an Airbnb kind of near you next week, Pinyon Pines? I need some quiet, even if it’s super hot, it will be good to get away and see some stars!😊 🌟
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Pinyon Pines can be quite warm, though not nearly as hot as Palm Springs, due to its higher elevation. I hope you have an enjoyable and restful stay!
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