My current favorite song is still “Homewrecker” by sombr, thus it remains at #1 for a third week, while Dexter and The Moonrocks‘ “Freakin’ Out” and Temper City‘s “Self Aware” hold at #2 and 3 for a second week. My friend Lyia Meta enters the top 10 with her powerful rock gem “Raging Halls”.
The sole new entry this week is “Hold Me In The Dark” by British singer-songwriter and guitarist Myles Smith, an immensely popular folk-pop artist with over 22 million monthly listeners on Spotify and 1.7 million followers on Instagram. His music is generally upbeat with infectious melodies, and his 2024 smash hit “Stargazing” has been streamed over 1.1 billion times on Spotify. Released in May, “Hold Me In The Dark” is included on his debut album My Mess, My Heart, My Life, which dropped June 16th. The talented 28-year-old also earned a degree in sociology from the University of Nottingham in 2019.
Not a lot of movement from last week for the majority of my latest chart, although there are five new entries. “Homewrecker” by sombr remains at #1 for a second week, while Dexter and The Moonrocks‘ “Freakin’ Out” inches up a spot to #2. “Repeat Offender” by Scottish band Gloom Is Okay enters the top 10 at #9.
There were at least eight songs I wanted to add to this week’s chart, but I had to cull my list down to only five as there were no other songs I was ready to drop. The first new entry is “Here” by English folk rock band Mumford & Sons, featuring American folk/alt-country singer-songwriter Sierra Ferrell. The song was originally recorded with Chris Stapleton and is included on the Mumford & Sons latest album Prizefighter, released this past February. This new version was recorded with Ferrell for an Apple Music Session on May 28th, and as much as I like Chris Stapleton, I like this version with Ferrell better. The song is currently #1 on the Billboard Adult Alternative chart.
The second new entry is “Heart Stop”, an emotionally powerful tune by alternative roots rock band The Revivalists. Based in New Orleans, the eight-piece collective is comprised of Ed Williams (pedal steel guitar, guitar), David Shaw (lead vocals), Zack Feinberg (guitar), Rob Ingraham (saxophone), George Gekas (bass guitar), Andrew Campanelli (drums and percussion), Michael Girardot (keyboards and trumpet), and Paulet “PJ” Howard (drums and percussion). Their 2023 single “Kid” topped my chart and ranks #9 on my Top 100 for that year. “Heart Stop” is the first in a series of singles they began releasing in April.
Coming in at #28 is “In The Stars” by legendary rockers The Rolling Stones. Formed in London in 1962, the band currently consists of original founders Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, along with Ronnie Wood since 1975 – all of whom seem to have discovered the fountain of youth! – as well as touring members keyboardist Chuck Leavell (since 1982), backing vocalist Bernard Fowler (since 1989), keyboardist Matt Clifford (off and on since 1989), bassist Darryl Jones (since 1994), saxophonists Tim Ries (since 1999) and Karl Denson (since 2014), drummer Steve Jordan (since 2021) and female vocalist Chanel Haynes (since 2022).(Wikipedia) The song is from their 25th and latest studio album Foreign Tongues, which dropped this past Friday, July 10th. The song is surprisingly good, with a guitar riff reminiscent of the one played by Bill Bottrell on Michael Jackson’s hit single “Black or White”.
Debuting at #29 is “no more regrets” by San Diego, California-based indie pop band almost monday, made up of Dawson Daugherty, Luke Fabry and Cole Clisby. I’m a big fan of their breezy dance pop, so “no more regrets” immediately grabbed my attention. Their single “Jupiter” reached #1 on my chart last fall.
The fifth new entry is “Freaking Out” (not to be confused with my #2 song by Dexter and The Moonrocks) by alternative pop-rock band Michigander. Founded in 2014 by singer-songwriter and musician Jason Singer in Michigan and now based in Nashville, the band includes Jake LeMond on guitar, Aaron Senor on drums, and Connor Robertson on bass. (I’ve previously reviewed music by Michigander as well as solo music by LeMond and Senor.)
Photo of Noah Kahan taken from his Facebook account
A new week and some exciting changes on my latest Top 30 chart. First off, Vermont-born and now Nashville-based folk pop singer-songwriter Noah Kahan takes over the #1 spot with his heartwarming song “The Great Divide”. The talented 29-year-old began releasing singles in 2017, followed by his debut album Busyhead in 2019, but burst onto the music scene in late 2022 with his breakout single “Stick Season”. Although moderately successful in the U.S. upon release, the song went viral on TikTok after American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo covered it on BBC Radio 1 in the UK, causing it to reach number one in various countries including Australia, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands and the UK, as well as reaching the top 10 in Canada, New Zealand, and the U.S. (Wikipedia) “The Great Divide”, which is currently #1 on all Billboard Alternative charts, was the lead and title single from Kahan’s forthcoming fourth album The Great Divide, to be released April 24th.
The poignant lyrics seem to be a letter to an old friend you’ve lost touch with but still care about: “I can’t recall the last time that we talked. About anything but lookin’ out for cops. We got cigarette burns on the same side of our hands. But we ain’t friends, we’re just morons who broke skin in the same spot. You know I think about you all the time. And my deep misunderstanding of your life. And how bad it must have been for you back then. And how hard it was to keep it all inside.I hope you settle down, I hope you marry rich. I hope you’re scared of only ordinary shit. Like murderers and ghosts and cancer on your skin. And not your soul, and what he might do with it. “
One of my longtime favorite acts is MISSIO, a duo from Austin, Texas comprised of singer-songwriter, musician and producer Matthew Brue and songwriter/producer and musician David Butler, who record music with the help of their silent third partner, producer and frequent collaborator Dwight Baker and drummer Jaydon Bean. I’ve written about them numerous times and four of their songs have reached #1 on my weekly Top 30. Their rip-roaring single “I Remember When” enters the top 10, leaping 14 spots to #8.
Debuting way up high at #9 is “You Got to Lose”, the latest single by another longtime favorite act of mine, Nashville-based blues rockers The Black Keys, made up of singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney, that sees them return to their garage-rock roots. The song was the lead single from their forthcoming 14th album Peaches!, set for release on May 1st, and it’s quite possibly the fiercest, most raw performance I’ve ever heard from the guys. Originally written in 1958 by Ike Turner, Auerbach’s cover takes inspiration from Earl Hooker’s 1969 blues version, and George Thorogood & The Destroyer’s fiery 1977 version. Recorded while Auerbach was caring for his now late father, who was dealing with the effects of a stroke and esophageal cancer, the song and album were a cathartic release for him. He explained “We weren’t making a record. We were just jamming, like this is for us. Really primal, in a moment when all the nerves were raw, just kinda screaming. We were going through a lot, trying to lift our spirits. I think my dad getting sick made me not give a fuck and just wanna scream for a bit.” (Genius)
Also entering the top 10 at #10 is “The Wreckage” by Los Angeles-based alt-rock band Silversun Pickups. The song is from their seventh album Tenterhooks, which dropped last month, and it’s become one of my favorites of theirs. Besides “You Got to Lose”, there are two other new additions to my chart, starting with “Fool’s Gold” by Bozeman, Montana-based folk band Buffalo Traffic Jam, who are new to me. Consisting of Frankie Cassidy and Nathan Ross, who met as students at Montana State University, they released their self-titled debut EP in 2024, and quickly amassed a huge following, with over 4 million monthly listeners on Spotify and more than 142,000 followers on Instagram. They followed up with several singles which culminated in the release of their six-track EP Take Me Home, which dropped last October and on which “Fool’s Gold” is featured. The poignant song is currently #3 on the Billboard AAA chart.
Debuting at #30 is “Heavy Foot” by folk artist Mon Rovîa, another act that’s new to me. Mon Rovîa is the music project of Afro-Appalachian singer-songwriter Janjay Lowe, who was born in Monrovia, Liberia and adopted at the age of seven by an American family with whom he variously lived in Florida, Montana, the Bahamas, and Tennessee, where he’s now based. The prolific musician began releasing music in 2020 and has since dropped six EPs and an album Bloodline, released in January. Like Buffalo Traffic Jam, Mon Rovîa has quickly garnered a huge following, with over 2.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, 2 million followers on Facebook and nearly a million followers on Instagram. I’m really liking his music and sweet vocals.
THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (2)
WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (1)
HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (4)
ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (3)
TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (5)
LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (6)
DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (10)
I REMEMBER WHEN – MISSIO (22)
YOU GOT TO LOSE – The Black Keys (N)
THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (12)
HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (7)
12 TO 12 – sombr (8) 22nd week on chart
WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (14)
SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (16)
SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (17)
I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (9)
COBRA – Geese (15)
RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (11)
HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (19)
THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (20)
BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (21)
Australian duo Royel Otis remain at #1 for a second week with “who’s your boyfriend”, while singer-songwriter Noah Kahan moves into second place with “The Great Divide”, which currently tops both the Billboard Alternative and Adult Alternative charts. Nashville-based alternative indie rock band Edgehill enters the top 10 with “Doubletake”, which is featured on their debut album Ode to the Greyhouse, released last month.
There are four new entries to my chart this week, starting with “LOOK OUT FOR ME” by Baltimore, Maryland-based melodic hardcore band Turnstile. Formed in 2010, they consist of lead vocalist Brendan Yates, guitarists Pat McCrory and Meg Mills, bassist Franz Lyons, and drummer Daniel Fang. Coming in at #26, the song is from their critically acclaimed fourth album Never Enough, which won a Grammy for Best Rock Album on February 1st.
Entering at #28 is “Drag Path”, the latest single by my longtime favorite music act, Columbus, Ohio-based duo Twenty One Pilots, comprised of singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tyler Joseph and dummer Josh Dun. Next up is “Starlight” by L.A.-based dream pop band Cannons, made up of vocalist Michelle Joy, lead guitarist Ryan Clapham, and keyboardist/bassist Paul Davis. The song will be included on their forthcoming fifth album Everything Glows, to be released March 27th. These two, along with Two Feet and Young the Giant, are four acts with songs on this chart who I’ve seen live in concert.
Last, but certainly not least, is “Burn For You RMX” by Between Daze, another act from Baltimore, Maryland who debut at #30. A songwriting/recording project comprised of Johnny Burkhead (vocals), Scott Rodenberg (guitar) and Ken Kundratic (guitar), along with Mike Coyne (bass) and Kevin Walsh (drums), they’ve been making alternative pop/rock and roll music together for over 20 years but really began hitting their stride in 2021 with the release of their single “Burn For You”. They’ve now revisited the track with a terrific newly mastered version by Wye Wye Productions. With a sound somewhat reminiscent of 80s U2 and The Cure, the band states the song is “a poignant exploration of true love and how far one is willing to go to have it.”
WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (1)
THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (3)
ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (2)
HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (6)
TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (7)
LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (8)
HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (4)
12 TO 12 – sombr (5) 21st week on chart
I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (9)
DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (12)
RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (11)
THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (15)
LOST – almost monday (14)
WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (16)
COBRA – Geese (17)
SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (18)
SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (19)
INFINITE SOURCE – Deftones (10)
HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (21)
THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (22)
BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (27)
I REMEMBER WHEN – MISSIO (28)
ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO DEPRESSED – Joyce Manor (13)
With the US of A now embroiled in a war with Iran, needlessly started by our self-described “Peace President” (aka authoritarian dictator, pedophile, grifter and lunatic mob boss Donald Trump), it almost seems pointless to write about music. Nevertheless, for those few who might give a shit, I’m sharing my latest favorite songs list.
Australian duo Royel Otis takes over the top spot with their infectious pop gem “who’s your boyfriend”. With lyrics describing an on again, off again love triangle – “Who’s your boyfriend now? ‘Cause you’re sleepin’ with him, but it’s me you’re thinkin’ about” – an old guy like me probably shouldn’t but fuck, I love it! The song is from their second album hickey, released last August. I’ve become a big fan of this talented young duo, and “who’s your boyfriend” is their third song to top my chart, after “Murder on the Dancefloor” (which ranks #4 on my 100 Best Songs of 2024 list) and “moody” (which ranks #4 on my 100 Best Songs of 2025 list).
In other chart news of note, “Rubber Band Man” by English folk rock band Mumford & Sons, with added vocals by Irish singer-songwriter Hozier, reverses course and moves up six spots to #11. It peaked at #7 in late January, but after seeing them on last weekend’s Saturday Night Live show, I realize how much I still like this song.
The lone new entry this week is “Different Kind Of Love”, by L.A.-based alternative pop rock band Young the Giant. Released February 6th, it’s their first new music since 2023 and the lead single from their forthcoming sixth album Victory Garden, planned for release on May 1st. It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly seven years since I saw them in concert in 2019.
WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (2)
ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (1)
THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (4)
HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (5)
12 TO 12 – sombr (3) 20th week on chart
HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (8)
TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (9)
LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (10)
I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (7)
INFINITE SOURCE – Deftones (6)
RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (17)
DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (15)
ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO DEPRESSED – Joyce Manor (14)
LOST – almost monday (18)
THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (19)
WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (21)
COBRA – Geese (22)
SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (23)
SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (24)
DRACULA – Tame Impala (16) 20th week on chart
HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (25)
THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (26)
THE FEAR – Future Theory (11) 20th week on chart
GET THE MESSAGE – The Paradox (12)
WHITE HORSES – Wolf Alice (13)
PARACHUTE – Hayley Williams (28)
BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (29)
Hard to believe we’re already into March, as time seems to fly by at an ever-faster speed. YUNGBLUD remains on top for a second week with “Zombie”, while Royel Otis moves into second place with “who’s your boyfriend”. Three songs enter the top 10, beginning with “The Great Divide” by Noah Kahan, leaping seven spots to #4, “To Space” by Kings of Leon, climbing three spots to #9, and “Lost Your Ghost” by Two Feet, moving up four spots to #10.
Entering my chart this week are “Bedroom Posters” by American pop-punk band Yellowcard, along with American rock band Good Charlotte. The song is a new version of the original that’s featured on Yellowcard’s latest album Better Days, released last October. The album’s title track went to #1 last year on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart and peaked at #6 on my chart. The second new entry, coming in at #30, is “I Remember When”, the hard-charging and boisterous new single by Texas-based duo MISSIO, who’ve been one of my favorite acts since 2017. I’ve written about them numerous times on this blog, and several of their songs have topped my charts.
ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (1)
WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (3)
12 TO 12 – sombr (2)
THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (11)
HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (5)
INFINITE SOURCE – Deftones (4)
I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (9)
HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (10)
TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (12)
LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (14)
THE FEAR – Future Theory (6)
GET THE MESSAGE – The Paradox (7)
WHITE HORSES – Wolf Alice (8)
ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO DEPRESSED – Joyce Manor (15)
DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (16)
DRACULA – Tame Impala (13)
RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (17)
LOST – almost monday (19)
THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (20)
HOLY ROLLER – The Format (18)
WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (22)
COBRA – Geese (24)
SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (25)
SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (26)
HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (27)
THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (28)
WORLD APART – Bike Routes (23)
PARACHUTE – Hayley Williams (30)
BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (N)
Photo of YUNGBLUD taken from a 2025 article in Rock Sound
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)
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 and his odious administration 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 exuberant pop gem “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.)
12 TO 12 – sombr (1)5th week at #1
ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (5)
THE FEAR – Future Theory (2)
GET THE MESSAGE – The Paradox (3)
INFINITE SOURCE – Deftones (6)
WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (9)
WHITE HORSES – Wolf Alice (7)
HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (8)
DRACULA – Tame Impala (4) Spent 3 weeks at #1
I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (10)
HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (13)
TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (15)
TANANA – Portugal. The Man (11)
RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (12)
ASKING FOR A FRIEND – Foo Fighters (14)
ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO DEPRESSED – Joyce Manor (17)
English folk-rock duo Seafret and Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall remain at #1 for a second week with their exuberant collaboration “Five More Seconds”, while “Ensenada”, by Southern California ska punk band Sublime, moves into second place. Entering the top 10 are “The Weather” by All Time Low, “Another Life” by Alabama Shakes and “Elegantly Wasted”, the lovely collaboration by Hermanos Gutiérrez and Leon Bridges.
It’s another big week for debuts, with four excellent new songs entering my chart. Entering at #24 is “Dracula” by Australian psychedelic pop-rock band Tame Impala, a longtime favorite act of mine headed by the brilliant singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Kevin Parker. The song is from their fifth and latest album Deadbeat, which dropped October 17th.
The second debut, entering at #28, is “So Far So Fake” by San Diego-based post-hardcore band Pierce the Veil. Formed in 2006, the band now consists of Vic Fuentes (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, programming), Jaime Preciado (bass, backing vocals) and Tony Perry (lead guitar). Loniel Robinson plays drums for live performances. The song is from their fifth album The Jaws of Life, originally released in 2023.
Coming in at #29 is “12 to 12”, the latest single by Los Angeles-based sombr (the musical moniker of 20-year-old singer-songwriter and producer Shane Michael Boose). The exciting and dynamic song is featured on his debut album I Barely Know Her, which dropped August 22nd and also includes his monster hits “back to friends” and “undressed”, both of which reached #1 on my chart. Along with “undressed”, which currently sits at #3, “12 to 12” gives sombr two songs on this week’s chart. In fact, he’s had at least one song on my chart every week since May 18th.
Last, but certainly not least, is “The Fear” by English alternative psychedelic rock band Future Theory, another longtime favorite act of mine whose music I’ve written about many times. The exceptionally talented four-piece is comprised of Max Sander (rhythm guitar and vocals), Chris Moore (lead guitar), Jacob Brookes (bass) and Rohan Parrett (drums). Their magnificent single “Why” reached #1 on my chart and ranks #18 on my 100 Best Songs of 2023 list, while their single “One and the Same” peaked at #3 and ranks #42 on my list of 100 Best Songs of 2022. “The Fear” is the latest of three outstanding singles they’ve released over the past four months.
FIVE MORE SECONDS – Seafret & KT Tunstall (1)
ENSENADA – Sublime (3)
UNDRESSED – sombr (2)
AS ALIVE AS YOU NEED ME TO BE – Nine Inch Nails (5)
SUSHI AND COCA-COLA – St. Paul & The Broken Bones (8)
BACKSEAT – Balu Brigada (4)
MISTAKES – Caamp (10)
THE WEATHER – All Time Low (11)
ANOTHER LIFE – Alabama Shakes (16)
ELEGANTLY WASTED – Hermanos Gutiérrez feat. Leon Bridges (15)
This is one of those weeks in which nearly every music chart has a different song at #1: Taylor Swift‘s “The Fate of Ophelia” is #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (in fact, she holds all top 12 spots with every track from her latest album The Life of a Showgirl), sombr‘s “Back to Friends” tops the Hot Rock Songs chart (though I don’t consider it a rock song, it topped my own chart in July), Bad Omens‘ “Specter” tops the Mainstream Rock chart, Sleep Token‘s “Caramel” tops the Hard Rock chart, Sublime‘s “Ensenada” tops the Alternative Airplay chart, St. Paul & The Broken Bones‘ “Sushi and Coca-Cola” tops the Adult Alternative Airplay chart, and Justin Bieber‘s “Daisy” tops the Pop Airplay chart.
Though several of these songs are included on my latest chart, my top song this week is “Five More Seconds”, a wonderful collaboration by English folk-rock duo Seafret and Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall. I love its exuberant melody, stomping beat and their glorious harmonies, plus the video’s brilliant. The song has not appeared on any charts in the US, UK or anywhere else as far as I can tell, which is a travesty.
Seafret, based in Yorkshire and comprised of singer Jack Sedman and guitarist Harry Draper, released three albums and a number of singles from 2015-2023 and saw their debut 2015 single “Atlantis” go viral on TikTok over the past three years, eventually racking up over 1.2 billion streams on Spotify alone. KT Tunstall burst onto the British music scene in 2004 with her debut album Eye to the Telescope, which spawned the hit singles “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” and “Suddenly I See”, which won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song in 2006.
Speaking about their collaboration for the webzine Litehouse Media, Seafret commented “When we set out making this record we knew we wanted to bring in some incredible people and collaborate. When we found out KT Tunstall was in town and up for it, we were so happy! We had no idea how it would go or what we’d write but this idea started circling in the room and suddenly it was there in front of us like it was meant to be. We have always loved KT’s voice and her songwriting so bringing this song to life with her has been a real privilege.” KT Tunstall added, “I met Jack and Harry quite a few years back and loved their vibe and songwriting. Real players and songcraft with an old school, troubadour attitude to touring where they put the hours in and got really great at what they do. Authentic and righteous dudes!“
And speaking of “Sushi and Coca-Cola”, the song is the biggest upward mover on my chart again this week, jumping eight spots to #8. Also entering the top 10 are “Hornets” by Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Western Jaguar, and “Mistakes” by Ohio folk band Caamp, at #s 9 and 10, respectively. Three songs make their debut, starting with Taylor Swift’s aforementioned “The Fate of Ophelia”, entering at #23. While I’m not overly excited with the entirety of The Life of a Showgirl, I do like this song.
Coming in at #27 is “Enough” by Jeff Tweedy, who’s released music both as a solo artist and as lead vocalist and guitarist of Chicago-based alternative country-rock band Wilco. Featuring an opening guitar riff that reminds me of the one from The Kinks’ “Waterloo Sunset”, “Enough” is featured on Tweedy’s ambitious new triple album Twilight Override, which dropped September 26th.
And entering at #30 is the sultry “Lingerie” by Two Feet (aka Brooklyn, New York-based singer-songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire Zachary William “Bill” Dess). One of my favorite artists since 2018, I’ve seen Two Feet in concert three times. Ten of his songs reached #1 on my chart between 2018 and 2022, beginning with “I Feel Like I’m Drowning”, which also reached #1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart and remains his biggest hit to date.
FIVE MORE SECONDS – Seafret & KT Tunstall (2)
UNDRESSED – sombr (1)
ENSENADA – Sublime (3)
BACKSEAT – Balu Brigada (6)
AS ALIVE AS YOU NEED ME TO BE – Nine Inch Nails (9)
BETTER DAYS – Yellowcard (7)
LIGHT YEARS APART – Unobliterated (8)
SUSHI AND COCA-COLA – St. Paul & The Broken Bones (16)
HORNETS – Western Jaguar (11)
MISTAKES – Caamp (12)
THE WEATHER – All Time Low (13)
JUPITER – almost monday feat. Jordana (4)
SALLY, WHEN THE WINE RUNS OUT – ROLE MODEL (5)
WRECK – Neko Case (15)
ELEGANTLY WASTED – Hermanos Gutiérrez feat. Leon Bridges (20)
