After spending three weeks at #2, “Private” by The Neighbourhood finally dislodges “Rein Me In” to take over the top spot on my latest chart. The captivating song is from their fifth studio album (((((ultraSOUND))))), released last November, although the track itself was actually released at the end of October but didn’t begin charting until June. Formed in Ventura County west of Los Angeles in 2011, the band consists of four of the five original members: heavily tattooed, silky-voiced vocalist Jesse Rutherford, guitarists Jeremy Freedman and Zach Abels and bassist Mikey Margott, as well as drummer Brandon Fried who joined in 2014. I love their sophisticated style of alternative rock that incorporates elements of pop, electronic, hip hop and R&B.
I’ve been a big fan of The Neighbourhood from the moment I first heard their magnificent song “Sweater Weather” back in the summer of 2013. It ultimately became my favorite song of 2013 and 4th favorite song of the entire decade of the 2010s, and is obviously a favorite of many others, as it’s been streamed nearly 5 billion times just on Spotify alone. Since March, The Neighbourhood has been on their worldwide tour which will conclude in Los Angeles in December. “Private” is their fourth song to top my chart, after the aforementioned “Sweater Weather”, “Stargazing” in 2021, and “Hula Girl”, also from (((((ultraSOUND))))), this past April. I love the song’s hypnotic beat, gentle thumping bassline and intricate blend of jangly, chiming and grungy guitar notes. But most of all, I love Rutherford’s sensuous croons that add to the eerily enchanting sound.
Entering the top 10 are “Stone Over Water” by Death Cab for Cutie, “I Feel Hope Coming” by Alabama Shakes, and “We Might as Well Be Strangers” by Weezer featuring Wednesday.
For a third week there are two new entries to my chart, starting with “Good Times // End Times” by American progressive/funk rock band Goose. The song is from their sixth album BIG MODERN!, which dropped in June, and follows “Good2B”, which spent 12 weeks on my chart over the summer, peaking at #4. I’ve come to like this band a lot!
The second new entry is “Already Gone” by the enigmatic and dangerously sexy country artist Orville Peck (born Daniel Pitout in South Africa and now based in Los Angeles). In addition to his unique brand of alternative country and deep baritone singing voice, Peck (who is gay) is known for often wearing a fringed mask and not showing his face. In a 2023 interview for People magazine, he elaborated on his decision to wear a fringed mask: “I grew up loving country where there was an intersection between theatricality and very honest songwriting. Dolly’s a perfect example—the big wigs, the crazy outfits, but it’s her. For me, I was obsessed with the Lone Ranger, cowboys hiding their face, so that’s what I wanted to do.” He’s also an actor who made his Broadway debut on March 31, 2025, playing the Emcee in the revival of Cabaret for 16 weeks. “Already Gone” is from his fourth studio album Mule, released September 18th.
- PRIVATE – The Neighbourhood (2)
- REIN ME IN – Sam Fender & Olivia Dean (1)
- LOST BOYS – Phoebe Bridgers (5)
- BEACHES IN TENNESSEE – Cage the Elephant (6)
- MARIANNE – Fontaines D.C. (7)
- HEART STOP – The Revivalists (4)
- ONLINE – Western Jaguar (3)
- STONE OVER WATER – Death Cab for Cutie (11)
- I FEEL HOPE COMING – Alabama Shakes (12)
- WE MIGHT AS WELL BE STRANGERS – Weezer feat. Wednesday (13)
- I CAN TAKE THE SUN OUT OF THE SKY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (14)
- NO MORE REGRETS – almost monday (10)
- RAGING HALLS – Lyia Meta (8)
- DOORS – Noah Kahan (9)
- LOSER – Tame Impala (19)
- EVERGREEN – Young the Giant (17)
- EDGE OF THE EARTH – The Beaches (18)
- BEHIND THE LINES OF REASON – Hardwicke Circus (20)
- WINDOW – Foo Fighters (22)
- METASTASIZED – Bealby Point (23)
- HOLD ME IN THE DARK – Myles Smith (15)
- THE ENDLESS BORDER – Velvet Jesus (16)
- LOVE TO GO – Edgehill (26)
- YOUNG AGAIN – Shinedown (27)
- HIGH HOPES 3000 – ROLE MODEL (29)
- BLACK DOG RABBIT HOLE – Devon Gilfillian (30)
- REPEAT OFFENDER – Gloom is Okay (21)
- SELF AWARE – Temper City (24) 20th week on chart
- GOOD TIMES // END TIMES – Goose (N)
- ALREADY GONE – Orville Peck (N)
While The Neighborhood fall a bit outside my core wheelhouse, I can definitely see your excitement. As a group who are now in their 15th year retaining four of their original members, they certainly have demonstrated impressive staying power. With 56.9 million streams to date, “Private” evidently speaks to many listeners – a sure indication they must be doing something right!
Goose and Orville Peck immediately rang a bell. I featured the title track of Goose’s “Big Modern!” album in new music review back in late June. Just like that song, “Good Times//End Times” speaks to me.
I also thought I had covered Orville Peck before. Obviously, the appearance of the masked artist is quite memorable. “Already Gone” is pretty catchy. Believe it or not, I could picture U2 play this track. Perhaps it’s the chorus that makes me think of the Irish rockers.
LikeLike