Tag: Bealby Point

My Top 30 Songs for October 18-24, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's5 Comments
Photo of Fontaines D.C. from their Bandcamp account

Irish alt-rock band Fontaines D.C. are one of the most exciting and interesting acts making music today, and while they’d been gaining critical acclaim and popularity since the release of their debut album Dogrel in 2019, it was their spectacular fourth album Romance, released in summer 2024, that really put them over the top. I love their intelligent songwriting and arresting sound, as well as charismatic lead vocalist Grian Chatten’s distinctive baritone Irish brogue, and they’ve become one of my favorite bands. Formed in Dublin in 2014, the band includes the aforementioned Grian Chatten (lead vocals), Conor Curley (guitar), Conor “Deego” Deegan III (bass), Tom Coll (drums), and Carlos O’Connell (guitar).

“Marianne”, the lead single from their fifth album Dopamine Chamber, which dropped this past Friday, October 16th, is my new #1 song this week. It’s their fourth song to top my chart, after “Starburster” (my #1 song of 2024) and “Favorite” in 2024 and “It’s Amazing to Be Young” from 2025. Incredulously, none of their singles have ever made the Billboard Hot 100, and only Romance has appeared on the Billboard 200 Album chart, where it peaked at only #97. Dopamine Chamber also features “Where Is Gone?, an enthralling duet with Spanish singer-songwriter Rosalía.

According to band frontman Chatten, the darkly beautiful and cinematic “Marianne” was partially inspired by the 2024 American psychological thriller miniseries Ripley, starring Andrew Scott, (which is based on the 1955 novel The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith). And both Chatten and band bassist Conor Deegan have stated that both the single “Marianne” and the album itself ask the question about where is one to escape to when the act of escaping becomes more difficult. The eerie, surreal video, directed by Dave Meyers & Cam Erickson, attempts to convey the character of Marianne trying to numb herself through substances and destructive behavior, and exploring the tension between wanting to find peace and falling deeper into oblivion.

In other chart news of note, Canadian all-female band The Beaches finally enter the top 10 with their wonderful “Edge of the Earth”. And for the sixth consecutive week, I’ve added two new songs to my chart, the first of which is “BedHead” by alt-rock act Balu Brigada. Originally from Auckland, New Zealand and now based in New York City, they consist of brothers Henry and Pierre Beasley, both vocalists and multi-instrumentalists, as well as Harper Finn on keyboards and Jacob Stockman on drums. Their single “So Cold” reached #1 on my chart as well as the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart in early 2025, and ranks #3 on my list of the 100 Best Songs of 2025.

The second new entry is “New Aesthetic” by American pop-rock band Beach Weather, comprised of vocalist/guitarist Nick Santino, lead guitarist Sean Silverman and bassist/backing vocalist Reeve Powers. Originally formed in 2015 by Santino and Powers along with two other members, the band released three EPs then later went on an indefinite hiatus in 2017. Beach Weather reunited in 2021 with Santino and Powers, as well as longtime collaborator Silverman, who joined as an official member. Their song “Sex, Drugs, Etc.”, which was originally included on their 2016 EP Chit Chat, went viral on Tik Tok in 2022, ultimately becoming a #1 hit on Alternative radio and charts. It ended up ranking #3 on my 100 Best Songs of 2022 list. To date, four of their songs have reached #1 on my chart – “Sex, Drugs, Etc.”, “Trouble With This Bed” and “Pineapple Sunrise” in 2023, and “High in Low Places” in 2024. It’s good to have them back on my chart.

Fun fact: This week’s chart is bookended by the acts who have my top two songs of 2024 – “Starburster” by Fontaines D.C. and “High in Low Places” by Beach Weather. Also, Beach Weather’s “Trouble With This Bed” is my top song of 2023.

  1. MARIANNE – Fontaines D.C. (3)
  2. PRIVATE – The Neighbourhood (1)
  3. LOST BOYS – Phoebe Bridgers (2)
  4. STONE OVER WATER – Death Cab for Cutie (5)
  5. I FEEL HOPE COMING – Alabama Shakes (6)
  6. LOSER – Tame Impala (7)
  7. BEACHES IN TENNESSEE – Cage the Elephant (4)
  8. WE MIGHT AS WELL BE STRANGERS – Weezer feat. Wednesday (9)
  9. I CAN TAKE THE SUN OUT OF THE SKY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (10)
  10. EDGE OF THE EARTH – The Beaches (12)
  11. WINDOW – Foo Fighters (14)
  12. METASTASIZED – Bealby Point (16)
  13. EVERGREEN – Young the Giant (13)
  14. BEHIND THE LINES OF REASON – Hardwicke Circus (15)
  15. REIN ME IN – Sam Fender & Olivia Dean (8)
  16. LOVE TO GO – Edgehill (18)
  17. YOUNG AGAIN – Shinedown (19)
  18. HIGH HOPES 3000 – ROLE MODEL (21)
  19. BLACK DOG RABBIT HOLE – Devon Gilfillian (22)
  20. GOOD TIMES // END TIMES – Goose (23)
  21. ALREADY GONE – Orville Peck (24)
  22. I KINDA LIKE THAT – The Paradox (25)
  23. OH YEAH? – Steve Lacy (26)
  24. HEART STOP – The Revivalists (11)
  25. NO MORE REGRETS – almost monday (17)
  26. EXIT SIGNS – LEAP (29)
  27. BOTTLE – Remi Wolf (30)
  28. ONLINE – Western Jaguar (20) 19th week on chart
  29. BEDHEAD – Balu Brigada (N)
  30. NEW AESTHETIC – Beach Weather (N)

My Top 30 Songs for October 11-17, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's6 Comments

This week’s chart was a bit of a challenge, as I wanted to put all of my top three songs at number one. In the end, I decided to keep The Neighbourhood‘s mesmerizing “Private” on top for a third week, as I continue to love it immensely. It’s now become my second-favorite song by them, after “Sweater Weather”. Phoebe Bridgers‘ “Lost Boys” and Fontaines D.C.‘s “Marianne” remain at #2 and #3. Cage the Elephant holds at #4 for a third week with “Beaches In Tennessee” which currently tops all of Billboard‘s various Alternative charts. Even though they’re one of my longtime favorite bands, I just don’t think “Beaches In Tennessee” is anywhere near as good as many of their earlier hits. Tame Impala enters the top 10 at #7 with “Loser”.

Another challenge was deciding what new songs to place on my chart, as there were several worthy candidates. But given that I was only willing to drop two songs from my chart, there are only two new entries again this week, both by acts entirely new to me despite the fact they’ve been putting out music for several years. The first, entering at #29, is “Exit Signs” by English indie rock band LEAP. Originally founded in 2021 as the solo project of singer-songwriter Jack Scott, the act now also includes Hector Cottam (drums), Declan Brown (bass) and Adam Mason (guitar). To date, LEAP has released five EPs and one album, Entropy (which dropped last October 2025), all of them self-recorded and produced. The electrifying “Exit Signs” was actually released three years ago on their EP Dark Habits and is also featured on Entropy, however is now getting significant airplay for some reason and I’m happy for both LEAP and me!

My second new entry, courtesy of my young friend Nick, is “Bottle” by American singer-songwriter Remi Wolf. Born in Palo Alto, California, she began making music at the age of 14, and while still a senior in high school she appeared as a contestant on American Idol in 2014. She subsequently moved to Los Angeles to attend the USC Thornton School of Music, from which she graduated in 2018. Between 2019 and 2021, she released three successive EPs humorously titled You’re a Dog!, I’m Allergic to Dogs! and We Love Dogs!, followed by her debut studio album, Juno, in October 2021. She released her second album Big Ideas in July 2024, and her third studio album Mud, this past Friday October 9th. The lyrically dark but sonically enchanting “Bottle” was released as a single on August 20th and is featured on Mud.

  1. PRIVATE – The Neighbourhood (1)
  2. LOST BOYS – Phoebe Bridgers (2)
  3. MARIANNE – Fontaines D.C. (3)
  4. BEACHES IN TENNESSEE – Cage the Elephant (4)
  5. STONE OVER WATER – Death Cab for Cutie (6)
  6. I FEEL HOPE COMING – Alabama Shakes (7)
  7. LOSER – Tame Impala (11)
  8. REIN ME IN – Sam Fender & Olivia Dean (5)
  9. WE MIGHT AS WELL BE STRANGERS – Weezer feat. Wednesday (9)
  10. I CAN TAKE THE SUN OUT OF THE SKY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (10)
  11. HEART STOP – The Revivalists (8)
  12. EDGE OF THE EARTH – The Beaches (15)
  13. EVERGREEN – Young the Giant (14)
  14. WINDOW – Foo Fighters (17)
  15. BEHIND THE LINES OF REASON – Hardwicke Circus (16)
  16. METASTASIZED – Bealby Point (18)
  17. NO MORE REGRETS – almost monday (13)
  18. LOVE TO GO – Edgehill (21)
  19. YOUNG AGAIN – Shinedown (22)
  20. ONLINE – Western Jaguar (12)
  21. HIGH HOPES 3000 – ROLE MODEL (23)
  22. BLACK DOG RABBIT HOLE – Devon Gilfillian (24)
  23. GOOD TIMES // END TIMES – Goose (25)
  24. ALREADY GONE – Orville Peck (26)
  25. I KINDA LIKE THAT – The Paradox (29)
  26. OH YEAH? – Steve Lacy (30)
  27. RAGING HALLS – Lyia Meta (19) 19th week on chart
  28. DOORS – Noah Kahan (20)
  29. EXIT SIGNS – LEAP (N)
  30. BOTTLE – Remi Wolf (N)

My Top 30 Songs for October 4-10, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's12 Comments

The Neighbourhood remain on top for a second week with “Private”, while Phoebe Bridgers‘ “Lost Boys” slides into second place, followed by Fontaines D.C.‘s “Marianne” at #3. “I Can Take the Sun Out of the Sky” by Brigitte Calls Me Baby enters the top 10.

For the fourth week there are two new entries to my chart, starting with “I Kinda Like That” by American pop-punk band The Paradox. Formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 2024, the all-Black four piece consists of Eric Dangerfield (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Donald Bryant (bass), Christopher “Xelan” Bernard (lead guitar, backing vocals), and Percy “PC3” Crews (drums). Their exuberant sound is influenced by such pop-punk legends as Blink-182, Sum 41 and Green Day, and their 2025 single “Get the Message” reached #1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart this past January and peaked at #3 on my chart in early February. “I Kinda Like That” is featured on their EP Proceed With Caution, which dropped this past Friday, October 2nd.

The second new entry is “oh yeah? by Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter, guitarist and record producer Steve Lacy. The song is the title track from his third studio album Oh yeah?, released on July 17th. His 2022 hit “Bad Habit” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart as well as my chart, and ranks #6 on my 100 Best Songs of 2022 list.

  1. PRIVATE – The Neighbourhood (1)
  2. LOST BOYS – Phoebe Bridgers (3)
  3. MARIANNE – Fontaines D.C. (5)
  4. BEACHES IN TENNESSEE – Cage the Elephant (4)
  5. REIN ME IN – Sam Fender & Olivia Dean (2)
  6. STONE OVER WATER – Death Cab for Cutie (8)
  7. I FEEL HOPE COMING – Alabama Shakes (9)
  8. HEART STOP – The Revivalists (6)
  9. WE MIGHT AS WELL BE STRANGERS – Weezer feat. Wednesday (10)
  10. I CAN TAKE THE SUN OUT OF THE SKY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (11)
  11. LOSER – Tame Impala (15)
  12. ONLINE – Western Jaguar (7)
  13. NO MORE REGRETS – almost monday  (12)
  14. EVERGREEN – Young the Giant (16)
  15. EDGE OF THE EARTH – The Beaches (17)
  16. BEHIND THE LINES OF REASON – Hardwicke Circus (18)
  17. WINDOW – Foo Fighters (19)
  18. METASTASIZED – Bealby Point  (20)
  19. RAGING HALLS – Lyia Meta (13)
  20. DOORS – Noah Kahan (14)
  21. LOVE TO GO – Edgehill (23)
  22. YOUNG AGAIN – Shinedown (24)
  23. HIGH HOPES 3000 – ROLE MODEL (25)
  24. BLACK DOG RABBIT HOLE – Devon Gilfillian  (26)
  25. GOOD TIMES // END TIMES – Goose (29)
  26. ALREADY GONE – Orville Peck (30)
  27. HOLD ME IN THE DARK – Myles Smith (21)
  28. THE ENDLESS BORDER – Velvet Jesus (22)
  29. I KINDA LIKE THAT – The Paradox (N)
  30. OH YEAH? – Steve Lacy (N)

My Top 30 Songs for September 27-October 3, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's12 Comments
Photo of The Neighbourhood from their Facebook account

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.

  1. PRIVATE – The Neighbourhood (2)
  2. REIN ME IN – Sam Fender & Olivia Dean (1)
  3. LOST BOYS – Phoebe Bridgers (5)
  4. BEACHES IN TENNESSEE – Cage the Elephant (6)
  5. MARIANNE – Fontaines D.C. (7)
  6. HEART STOP – The Revivalists (4)
  7. ONLINE – Western Jaguar (3)
  8. STONE OVER WATER – Death Cab for Cutie (11)
  9. I FEEL HOPE COMING – Alabama Shakes (12)
  10. WE MIGHT AS WELL BE STRANGERS – Weezer feat. Wednesday (13)
  11. I CAN TAKE THE SUN OUT OF THE SKY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (14)
  12. NO MORE REGRETS – almost monday (10)
  13. RAGING HALLS – Lyia Meta (8)
  14. DOORS – Noah Kahan (9)
  15. LOSER – Tame Impala (19)
  16. EVERGREEN – Young the Giant (17)
  17. EDGE OF THE EARTH – The Beaches (18)
  18. BEHIND THE LINES OF REASON – Hardwicke Circus (20)
  19. WINDOW – Foo Fighters (22)
  20. METASTASIZED – Bealby Point (23)
  21. HOLD ME IN THE DARK – Myles Smith (15)
  22. THE ENDLESS BORDER – Velvet Jesus (16)
  23. LOVE TO GO – Edgehill (26)
  24. YOUNG AGAIN – Shinedown (27)
  25. HIGH HOPES 3000 – ROLE MODEL (29)
  26. BLACK DOG RABBIT HOLE – Devon Gilfillian (30)
  27. REPEAT OFFENDER – Gloom is Okay (21)
  28. SELF AWARE – Temper City (24) 20th week on chart
  29. GOOD TIMES // END TIMES – Goose (N)
  30. ALREADY GONE – Orville Peck (N)

My Top 30 Songs for September 13-19, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's6 Comments
Sam Fender & Olivia Dean from the “Rein Me In” video

Sam Fender and Olivia Dean remain on top for a second week with “Rein Me In”, while Los Angeles alt rock band The Neighbourhood hold the #2 spot again with their captivating “Private”. “Online” by British Columbia, Canada-based artist Western Jaguar advances two spots to #3. In addition to Western Jaguar, two other Canadian acts are represented on this chart – The Beaches, whose song “Edge of the Earth” sits at #21, and Bealby Point, whose song “Metastasized” currently ranks #25. I must state that I’m both horrified and furious that our out-of-control lunatic president has started a needless economic war with our friendly neighbors to the north.

Irish band Fontaines D.C. are this week’s biggest upward movers, as their song “Marianne” leaps 11 spots to #17.

There are two new additions to my chart this week, the first of which is the wonderfully boisterous “Love To Go” by Nashville-based alt-rock band Edgehill, comprised of Chris Kelly (lead vocals and guitar), Jake Zimmermann (lead guitar and vocals), and Aidan Cunningham (drums). The trio have been putting out great songs since 2022, but I only learned about them earlier this year with the release of their song “Doubletake”, which ultimately went all the way to #1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart and #2 on my chart. Both “Doubletake” and “Love To Go” are from their debut album Ode to the Greyhouse, which was released this past February.

The second new entry is “Young Again” by Florida-based rock band Shinedown. Formed in 2001, the lineup presently includes founding members Brent Smith (lead vocals) and Barry Kerch (drums), as well as Zach Myers (guitar, piano, backing vocals) and Eric Bass (bass, guitar, piano, backing vocals). Shinedown has the most #1 singles on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts with 23, and all 37 of their released singles have reached the top five. To date, the band has sold more than 10 million records worldwide. (Wikipedia) “Young Again” is from their eighth album EI8HT, released this past May and also includes their song “Three Six Five”, which spent 12 weeks on my chart last year.

  1. REIN ME IN – Sam Fender & Olivia Dean (1)
  2. PRIVATE – The Neighbourhood (2)
  3. ONLINE – Western Jaguar (5)
  4. HEART STOP – The Revivalists (7)
  5. RAGING HALLS – Lyia Meta (3)
  6. DOORS – Noah Kahan (4)
  7. LOST BOYS – Phoebe Bridgers (10)
  8. BEACHES IN TENNESSEE – Cage the Elephant (9)
  9. NO MORE REGRETS – almost monday (8)
  10. THE ENDLESS BORDER – Velvet Jesus (6)
  11. WE MIGHT AS WELL BE STRANGERS – Weezer feat. Wednesday (15)
  12. I CAN TAKE THE SUN OUT OF THE SKY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (16)
  13. STONE OVER WATER – Death Cab for Cutie (17)
  14. HOLD ME IN THE DARK – Myles Smith (14)
  15. I FEEL HOPE COMING – Alabama Shakes (20)
  16. REPEAT OFFENDER – Gloom is Okay (11)
  17. MARIANNE – Fontaines D.C. (28)
  18. SELF AWARE – Temper City (12)
  19. FREAKING OUT – Michigander (13)
  20. EVERGREEN – Young the Giant 22)
  21. EDGE OF THE EARTH – The Beaches (23)
  22. BEHIND THE LINES OF REASON – Hardwicke Circus (24)
  23. LOSER – Tame Impala (25)
  24. WINDOW – Foo Fighters (26)
  25. METASTASIZED – Bealby Point (27)
  26. PICKING DRAGON’S POCKETS – Modest Mouse (18)
  27. WE SHOULD TALK – Bleachers (19)
  28. LOVE ME NOT – Grace Potter (21)
  29. LOVE TO GO – Edgehill (N)
  30. YOUNG AGAIN – Shinedown (N)

My Top 30 Songs for September 6-12, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's10 Comments
Sam Fender & Olivia Dean taken from the “Rein Me In” video

After several weeks of waiting in the wings, the gorgeous “Rein Me In” by English singer-songwriter Sam Fender and English singer-songwriter Olivia Dean (who won the Best New Artist Grammy earlier this year) ascends to the top of my chart. The song is a re-recorded duet version of the original from Fender’s third studio album People Watching. The original version of “Rein Me In” was released in June 2025 as the sixth single from the album and eventually became Fender’s first song to reach #1 on the UK Singles Chart in February 2026, as well as winning the Brit Award for Song of the Year. In addition to Fender and Dean’s great vocals, I love the beautiful piano, jangly guitar and blaring sax.

Fender debuted the new version during a show at London Stadium in June, bringing Dean on stage to perform it with him. Videos of that performance went viral, and the two performed it again nine days later at Fender’s St. James’ Park concert. Fender announced the official release of the new version on June 20th, stating that Dean “added a female perspective to ‘Rein Me In,’ and I think it’s all the better for it“. The original and duet versions ended up spending a combined 23 non-consecutive weeks at number one, making it the longest-running number-one single in UK music history. The song also topped the charts in Australia and Ireland and reached #2 in New Zealand. It became Fender’s first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 45. “Rein Me In” is his second song to reach #1 on my chart, the first being his 2021 single “Seventeen Going Under”.

In other chart developments of note, The Neighbourhood move into second place with “Private”, while Cage the Elephant‘s “Beaches In Tennessee” and Phoebe Bridgers‘ “Lost Boys” enter the top 10. The sole debut this week, entering at #28, is the enthralling “Marianne”, the new single from the always wonderful Irish rock band Fontaines D.C. The song is the lead single from their forthcoming fifth album Dopamine Chamber, set for release October 16th.

  1. REIN ME IN – Sam Fender & Olivia Dean (3)
  2. PRIVATE – The Neighbourhood (4)
  3. RAGING HALLS – Lyia Meta (1)
  4. DOORS – Noah Kahan (2)
  5. ONLINE – Western Jaguar (6)
  6. THE ENDLESS BORDER – Velvet Jesus (7)
  7. HEART STOP – The Revivalists (8)
  8. NO MORE REGRETS – almost monday (10)
  9. BEACHES IN TENNESSEE – Cage the Elephant (11)
  10. LOST BOYS – Phoebe Bridgers (12)
  11. REPEAT OFFENDER – Gloom is Okay (5)
  12. SELF AWARE – Temper City (9)
  13. FREAKING OUT – Michigander (14)
  14. HOLD ME IN THE DARK – Myles Smith (15)
  15. WE MIGHT AS WELL BE STRANGERS – Weezer feat. Wednesday (17)
  16. I CAN TAKE THE SUN OUT OF THE SKY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (19)
  17. STONE OVER WATER – Death Cab for Cutie (20)
  18. PICKING DRAGON’S POCKETS – Modest Mouse (13)
  19. WE SHOULD TALK – Bleachers (18)
  20. I FEEL HOPE COMING – Alabama Shakes (23)
  21. LOVE ME NOT – Grace Potter (16)
  22. EVERGREEN – Young the Giant 24)
  23. EDGE OF THE EARTH – The Beaches (25)
  24. BEHIND THE LINES OF REASON – Hardwicke Circus (26)
  25. LOSER – Tame Impala (27)
  26. WINDOW – Foo Fighters (29)
  27. METASTASIZED – Bealby Point (30)
  28. MARIANNE – Fontaines D.C. (N)
  29. EXIT WOUND – Ships Have Sailed (21)
  30. MARATHONS – Sorry Ghost (22)

My Top 30 Songs for August 30-September 5, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's9 Comments
Photo of Lyia and Cha Cha Girl taken from her Facefook account

“Raging Halls” by Malaysian singer-songwriter extraordinaire Lyia Meta remains atop my chart for a second week, while American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan moves into second place with “Doors”. Entering the top 10 is “no more regrets” by San Diego, California-based indie pop band almost monday.

There are three new additions to my chart this week, starting with “Loser” by Australian act Tame Impala, the music project of singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Parker. The song, which debuts at #27, was actually released last September (2025) as the second single from Tame Impala’s fifth album Deadbeat, which dropped a month later, but as with The Beaches’ “Edge of the Earth” is currently appearing on various alternative charts (which heavily influence my own chart). His single “Dracula” spent three weeks at the top of my chart at the beginning of this year.

Entering at #29 is “Window” by legendary American rock band the Foo Fighters. The song is from their 12th studio album Your Favorite Toy, released this past April. And coming in at #30 is “Metastasized”, the latest single by Vancouver, Canada-based indie pop-rock band Bealby Point, who currently consist of Jack Armstrong (lead vocals, guitar), Jordan Studer (bass) and Zack Yeager (drums). I’ve been a big fan of theirs since learning about them in 2021, and have featured them several times on this blog. “Metastasized” will be included on their forthcoming debut album Happiness Frontier.

  1. RAGING HALLS – Lyia Meta (1)
  2. DOORS – Noah Kahan (3)
  3. REIN ME IN – Sam Fender & Olivia Dean (4)
  4. PRIVATE – The Neighbourhood (5)
  5. REPEAT OFFENDER – Gloom is Okay (2)
  6. ONLINE – Western Jaguar (7)
  7. THE ENDLESS BORDER – Velvet Jesus (8)
  8. HEART STOP – The Revivalists (10)
  9. SELF AWARE – Temper City (6)
  10. NO MORE REGRETS – almost monday (11)
  11. BEACHES IN TENNESSEE – Cage the Elephant (12)
  12. LOST BOYS – Phoebe Bridgers (13)
  13. PICKING DRAGONS’ POCKETS – Modest Mouse (9)
  14. FREAKING OUT – Michigander (16)
  15. HOLD ME IN THE DARK – Myles Smith (17)
  16. LOVE ME NOT – Grace Potter (18)
  17. WE MIGHT AS WELL BE STRANGERS – Weezer feat. Wednesday (19)
  18. WE SHOULD TALK – Bleachers (20)
  19. I CAN TAKE THE SUN OUT OF THE SKY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (21)
  20. STONE OVER WATER – Death Cab for Cutie (22)
  21. EXIT WOUND – Ships Have Sailed (14)
  22. MARATHONS – Sorry Ghost (15)
  23. I FEEL HOPE COMING – Alabama Shakes (26)
  24. EVERGREEN – Young the Giant 28)
  25. EDGE OF THE EARTH – The Beaches (29)
  26. BEHIND THE LINES OF REASON – Hardwicke Circus (30)
  27. LOSER – Tame Impala (N)
  28. IN THE STARS – The Rolling Stones (25)
  29. WINDOW – Foo Fighters (N)
  30. METASTASIZED – Bealby Point (N)

100 Best Indie Songs of 2025

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Song Lists26 Comments
Photo courtesy of FREEP!K

At the end of each year, I publish a list of my Top 100 Songs, representing my picks for what I think are the best songs – my favorites actually – for the entire year. Last year, at the suggestion of a member of Missouri folk rock band Voodoo Planet, I also compiled a list of my 100 favorite indie songs of 2024. That blog post nearly went viral, and over the past year has amassed over 7,000 views to become my 10th most popular post ever. (In sharp contrast, my 100 Best Songs of 2024 post has garnered only around 1,100 views.)

Because I follow, and am followed by, many indie musicians and bands on social media, I enjoy showcasing some of the exceptional music being made by them that’s every bit as good as, or even better than, that from mainstream acts, so compiling a separate list of what I think are the best indie songs makes perfect sense.

These are not necessarily “indie” songs in terms of genre (though there are many that fall into that overall category), rather songs by independent or DIY music acts. While some are in fact signed to music labels, they’re usually small or independently owned. There are 82 acts represented in this list, the majority of which are from the U.S., Canada and the U.K., but also from Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Germany and Ukraine. A number of acts have two songs, while English psychedelic alt-rock band Future Theory have three.

Of course, I must make note of the fact that this list contains only songs I’m aware of, and that there are likely hundreds of other great songs that deserve to be here, except that I’ve never heard them. The songs on this list – all of which are outstanding if I do say so myself – were generally released between November 2024 and October 2025.

Though they’re ranked from #1 to 100, it doesn’t necessarily mean that a song at #30 is better than one at #60. That said, the ones closer to the top are my very favorites. And though I’d love to write a narrative about each song and artist, given my limited time and energy, not to mention people’s short attention spans, I’ve decided against that again this year. I will, however, include the marvelous video for my #1 pick, “The Faithful Heart” by immensely talented and creative L.A.-based artist Wons Phreely, as it’s so delightful that everyone should watch it! I’ve also created playlists on both YouTube and Spotify, which are included after the list itself. Enjoy!

  1. THE FAITHFUL HEART – Wons Phreely + The Horses
  2. IMPOSTER SYNDROME – Fake Empire
  3. WALLS – Frank Joshua
  4. FEELS RIGHT – Talk in Waves
  5. TAKE THIS HEART – Brian Lambert
  6. CONTROLLER – Moody Moody
  7. BAD LARRY – Cloakroom
  8. LOVE IS A FIRE – Art Block
  9. YOU’RE MY DRUG – Talk in Waves
  10. THE TURNAROUND – DelCobras
  11. LONDON TOWN – HEALER
  12. POLYESTER (YES SIR) – Sorry Ghost
  13. STRAIGHT TO THE GROUND – Unquiet Nights
  14. SNAKESKIN – NAVE
  15. BETTER OFF EVENTUALLY – Bealby Point
  16. LIGHT YEARS APART – Unobliterated
  17. THE FEAR – Future Theory
  18. POOR SAD INDIE EVERYTHING – Icarus Phoenix
  19. WITHOUT A DOUBT – Charm School
  20. MOTHER – Lyia Meta & Mark Allen Lanoue
  21. DAY & NIGHT – Oli Barton
  22. WHO’S A FRAUD? – Still Traffico
  23. HORNETS – Western Jaguar
  24. SCARS – Secret Postal Society
  25. REALITY BUZZ – Future Theory
  26. AFTER ALL – Darksoft
  27. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT – overpass
  28. FEEL – NAVE
  29. HERE WE GO AGAIN – Set the Tone
  30. BAD PATTERNS – HEALER
  31. ALWAYS WITH YOU – Ewan Patrick
  32. THE HAZE – Future Theory
  33. ECHOES – Antipole, Ja’kob & Pedro Code
  34. TREPHINE – Big Orange
  35. WHAT IT TAKES – The Radio Field
  36. SLOW DEATH – Western Jaguar
  37. SUPERSPREADER YEAR – Roadkeeper
  38. BLEAK COMPANION – The Brigadier
  39. MARK & KYLE – Icarus Phoenix
  40. LLUMINE – Josephine Pascoe
  41. DAYS LIKE THESE – Frank Joshua
  42. ESPIONAGE – Rusty Shipp
  43. CONSPIRACY OF SNAKES – Blake Rascals
  44. CALIFORNIA – Art Block
  45. NATIONAL TREASURE – Faint Halos
  46. ANTICIPATE THE FALL – Pilod
  47. FALLING DOWN – Holy Coves
  48. CALLING OUT – Black Bear Kiss
  49. BEERS WITH THE BEEKEEPER – The Zangwills
  50. IT’S GETTING LATE – Sorry Ghost
  51. IT’S ALRIGHT – The Radio Field & The Baumhoff Explosives
  52. OH NO – John Serrano
  53. MEDICATED – Shape of the Sun
  54. MY DOG BRUCE – Jack Droppers & the Best Intentions
  55. INSIDE – Skar de Line
  56. DARLING, HE DOESN’T CARE – Olivia Miceli
  57. ALL FOR NOTHING – Set the Tone
  58. NOTHING REALLY MATTERS – Snap Infraction
  59. ALONE – The Sylvia Platters
  60. LOOK WHAT YOU DID – Jeen
  61. WHERE IS SHE NOW – Mecuzine
  62. SHUT UP – Esse. feat. Shimmer Johnson
  63. PACK IT UP – Diet Lite
  64. LOVE LIES – Caleb Nichols
  65. WHITEBOARD (YOU CALL HOME) – FRVR
  66. LIFESPAN – Cormac O Caoimh
  67. I, PHONE – INNERSPEAR
  68. EVERYTHING SEDUCTIVE – Unquiet Nights
  69. DOUBLE DISCO – Bealby Point
  70. ALRIGHT – naive nature
  71. BUNK BEDS – Lost in the City
  72. SEVENTH ROCK FROM THE SUN – Only on Weekends
  73. SOMEDAY SOON – DelCobras
  74. DON’T GO TO BED WITH A BAD MIND – The Brigadier
  75. BROKEN ANIMAL – Matt Jaffe
  76. ALL I NEED TO KNOW – PluX feat. Shimmer Johnson
  77. I WANNA FIGHT MY CLONE – Bear Ghost & Playboy Manbaby
  78. CANDY HEARTS – Risley
  79. APRIL FOOLS – The Goods
  80. GRANADA – John Serrano
  81. AIN’T THAT SOMETHING – Modern Neutrals
  82. BLUE TONIC – Defined By
  83. TIBER CREEK – Lillian King
  84. NEVER GOT THAT FAR – Thunder Fox
  85. MET YOU SOMEWHERE – Early Nites & Eunith
  86. I BET YOU HATE ME – Shallowdrown
  87. MIRRORS – Loveproof
  88. READ MY MIND (VIBES SONG) – Wild Horse
  89. FED TO THE TEETH – Homeless Radio
  90. GLIMMER – Petrov, the Hero
  91. A RECURRING THOUGHT – Terry Gomes
  92. ON THE EDGE – Drawing on Scars
  93. SOUNDS LIKE A DEAL – Alex Little
  94. CREATURE COMFORT – The Rat Utopia Experiment
  95. THE BLOOD MOON – Caged Animals
  96. POLLY AND ANDY – Rec Centre
  97. GROWING UP IS SCARY – Taylor DeRousse
  98. MARIA – Matt Csiszar
  99. LUNACY – Collette McLafferty
  100. GAMBLING WITH THE RAIN – David Gergen

The YouTube playlist:

The Spotify playlist:

My Top 30 Songs for September 14-20, 2025

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's7 Comments

Talk in Waves holds onto the top spot for a second week with his exuberant ear worm “Feels Right”, while ROLE MODEL moves up two spots into second place this week with his delightful “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out”. London singer-songwriter Art Block remains at #3 with his darkly beautiful “Love Is A Fire”. The prolific artist has released three more singles since “Love Is A Fire”, and in fact, numerous acts have since dropped newer singles than their songs on this chart, including Healer, almost monday, sombr, Sorry Ghost, Twenty One Pilots, Royel Otis, Unobliterated, Western Jaguar, Caamp and Matt Maeson, and I simply cannot keep up with them all! “Five More Seconds” by English duo Seafret and Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall enters the top 10 at #9.

There are two new debuts again this week, the first of which is “”Wreck” by American singer-songwriter Neko Case, who since the late 1990s has released music both as a solo artist (including with her backing band Her Boyfriends) and as a member and lead singer of Canadian indie rock band The New Pornographers. “Wreck” is the lead single from her forthcoming eighth studio album Neon Grey Midnight Green, to be released on September 26. The second debut, entering at #30, is “Downstairs” by American singer-songwriter and musician Matt Maeson. The song is featured on his third and latest album A Quiet and Harmless Living, which dropped this past Friday, September 12th. Matt’s great single “Hallucinogenics” ranks #5 on my 100 Best Songs of 2020 list.

  1. FEELS RIGHT – Talk in Waves (1)
  2. SALLY, WHEN THE WINE RUNS OUT – ROLE MODEL (4)
  3. LOVE IS A FIRE – Art Block (3)
  4. NO RAIN, NO FLOWERS – The Black Keys (2)
  5. LONDON TOWN – Healer (5)
  6. JUPITER – almost monday ft. Jordana (8)
  7. UNDRESSED – sombr (9)
  8. POLYESTER (YES SIR) – Sorry Ghost (10)
  9. FIVE MORE SECONDS – Seafret & KT Tunstall (11)
  10. THE CONTRACT – Twenty One Pilots (6)
  11. MOODY – Royel Otis (7)
  12. BACKSEAT – Balu Brigada (12)
  13. ASSHOLE – The Lumineers (14)
  14. TODAY’S SONG – Foo Fighters (15)
  15. BETTER DAYS – Yellowcard (16)
  16. LIGHT YEARS APART – Unobliterated (18)
  17. UNRAVELLING – Muse (20)
  18. AFTERLIFE – Alex G (21)
  19. AS ALIVE AS YOU NEED ME TO BE – Nine Inch Nails (22)
  20. BACK TO FRIENDS – sombr (17)
  21. ENSENADA – Sublime (23)
  22. MY MIND IS A MOUNTAIN – Deftones (24)
  23. HORNETS – Western Jaguar (25)
  24. METAL – The Beths (26)
  25. EVERYDAY MAGIC – My Morning Jacket (27)
  26. BETTER OFF EVENTUALLY – Bealby Point (13)
  27. MISTAKES – Caamp (29)
  28. THE WEATHER – All Time Low (30)
  29. WRECK – Neko Case (N)
  30. DOWNSTAIRS – Matt Maeson (N)

My Top 30 Songs for September 7-13, 2025

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's14 Comments

It’s been a rough week at my house, as we had to say goodbye to our beloved cat Panda, who was part of our family for almost 19 years and finally lost his battle with kidney disease. Feeling heartbroken, I’m not much in the frame of mind to write about music. But given that the new top song on my chart this week is by an artist I’m particularly fond of, I felt I needed to soldier on for his sake, as well as the other indie artists who follow me that have songs on my chart.

After a long, steady climb, the ebullient “Feels Right” by Talk in Waves, the music project of northern Virginia-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jake Mimikos, ascends to #1. It’s his sixth song to top my chart, the previous being “Dark Places” (2019), “Can We Go Back” (2021), “Closer” (2022), “Walk Through the Fire” (2023), and last year’s “Like You Do”, which also holds the honor of being my #1 indie song of 2024. And two more of his singles – “Sleep” in 2020 and “You’re My Drug” from earlier this year – have reached #2. Several of those outstanding songs are featured on his debut album Medicine for the Apocalypse, which he released on July 18th.

Entering the top 10 this week are three great songs all spelled in lower case letters – “jupiter” by San Diego-based indie pop band almost monday, featuring added vocals by L.A.-based indie pop singer-songwriter Jordana, “undressed” by New York City-based sombr (whose single “back to friends” recently spent three weeks at #1 and now sits at #17), and “polyester (yes sir)” by L.A. indie pop-rock band Sorry Ghost, at #s 8, 9 & 10, respectively.

Two songs make their debut this week, starting with “Mistakes” by Columbus, Ohio-based bluegrass-folk band Caamp, whose single “Let Things Go” reached #8 on my chart in early July. Formed in 2012 by childhood friends Taylor Meier and Evan Westfall, Caamp was later joined by Matt Vinson on bass, Joseph Kavalec on keyboards, and NIck Falk on drums. Many of their songs have done well on the Billboard AAA (Adult Alternative Airplay) chart, with four, including “Let Things Go” reaching #1. “Mistakes” is from their sixth and latest album Copper Changes Color, which dropped June 6th.

Entering at #30 is “The Weather” by American pop-punk/rock band All Time Low. Formed in Towson, Maryland, in 2003, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Alex Gaskarth, lead guitarist Jack Barakat, bassist/backing vocalist Zack Merrick, and drummer Rian Dawson. They’ve released a total of nine studio albums, six EPs, two live albums and thirty-seven singles. “The Weather” is the second single from their forthcoming tenth album Everyone’s Talking!, set for release on October 17th. Their single “Sleepwalking” spent 11 weeks on my chart in 2023.

  1. FEELS RIGHT – Talk in Waves (2)
  2. NO RAIN, NO FLOWERS – The Black Keys (1)
  3. LOVE IS A FIRE – Art Block (5)
  4. SALLY, WHEN THE WINE RUNS OUT – ROLE MODEL (7)
  5. LONDON TOWN – Healer (6)
  6. THE CONTRACT – Twenty One Pilots (3)
  7. MOODY – Royel Otis (4)
  8. JUPITER – almost monday ft. Jordana (11)
  9. UNDRESSED – sombr (12)
  10. POLYESTER (YES SIR) – Sorry Ghost (15)
  11. FIVE MORE SECONDS – Seafret & KT Tunstall (17)
  12. BACKSEAT – Balu Brigada (14)
  13. BETTER OFF EVENTUALLY – Bealby Point (8)
  14. ASSHOLE – The Lumineers (13)
  15. TODAY’S SONG – Foo Fighters (16)
  16. BETTER DAYS – Yellowcard (18)
  17. BACK TO FRIENDS – sombr (10)
  18. LIGHT YEARS APART – Unobliterated (20)
  19. RIPPLE – Good Neighbours (9)
  20. UNRAVELLING – Muse (21)
  21. AFTERLIFE – Alex G (22)
  22. AS ALIVE AS YOU NEED ME TO BE – Nine Inch Nails (23)
  23. ENSENADA – Sublime (24)
  24. MY MIND IS A MOUNTAIN – Deftones (25)
  25. HORNETS – Western Jaguar (26)
  26. METAL – The Beths (29)
  27. EVERYDAY MAGIC – My Morning Jacket (30)
  28. BLOOM BABY BLOOM – Wolf Alice (19)
  29. MISTAKES – Caamp (N)
  30. THE WEATHER – All Time Low (N)