Tag: Noah Kahan

My Top 30 Songs for March 22-28, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's9 Comments
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.

  1. THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (2)
  2. WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (1)
  3. HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (4)
  4. ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (3)
  5. TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (5)
  6. LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (6)
  7. DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (10)
  8. I REMEMBER WHEN – MISSIO (22)
  9. YOU GOT TO LOSE – The Black Keys (N)
  10. THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (12)
  11. HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (7)
  12. 12 TO 12 – sombr (8) 22nd week on chart
  13. WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (14)
  14. SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (16)
  15. SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (17)
  16. I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (9)
  17. COBRA – Geese (15)
  18. RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (11)
  19. HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (19)
  20. THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (20)
  21. BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (21)
  22. LOOK OUT FOR ME – Turnstile (26)
  23. LOST – almost monday (13)
  24. DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE – Young the Giant (25)
  25. DRAG PATH – Twenty One Pilots 28)
  26. INFINITE SOURCE – Deftones (18)
  27. STARLIGHT – Cannons (29)
  28. BURN FOR YOU RMX – Between Daze (30)
  29. FOOL’S GOLD – Buffalo Traffic Jam (N)
  30. HEAVY FOOT – Mon Rovîa (N)

My Top 30 Songs for March 15-21, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's7 Comments
Photo of Royel Otis by Jamiesonfilm

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.”

  1. WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (1)
  2. THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (3)
  3. ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (2)
  4. HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (6)
  5. TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (7)
  6. LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (8)
  7. HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (4)
  8. 12 TO 12 – sombr (5) 21st week on chart
  9. I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (9)
  10. DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (12)
  11. RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (11)
  12. THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (15)
  13. LOST – almost monday (14)
  14. WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (16)
  15. COBRA – Geese (17)
  16. SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (18)
  17. SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (19)
  18. INFINITE SOURCE – Deftones (10)
  19. HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (21)
  20. THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (22)
  21. BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (27)
  22. I REMEMBER WHEN – MISSIO (28)
  23. ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO DEPRESSED – Joyce Manor (13)
  24. PARACHUTE – Hayley Williams (26)
  25. DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE – Young the Giant (30)
  26. LOOK OUT FOR ME – Turnstile (N)
  27. DRACULA – Tame Impala (20) 21st week on chart
  28. DRAG PATH – Twenty One Pilots (N)
  29. STARLIGHT – Cannons (N)
  30. BURN FOR YOU RMX – Between Daze (N)

My Top 30 Songs for March 8-14, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's2 Comments
Photo of Royel Otis by Jamiesonfilm

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.

  1. WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (2)
  2. ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (1)
  3. THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (4)
  4. HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (5)
  5. 12 TO 12 – sombr (3) 20th week on chart
  6. HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (8)
  7. TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (9)
  8. LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (10)
  9. I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (7)
  10. INFINITE SOURCE – Deftones (6)
  11. RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (17)
  12. DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (15)
  13. ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO DEPRESSED – Joyce Manor (14)
  14. LOST – almost monday (18)
  15. THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (19)
  16. WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (21)
  17. COBRA – Geese (22)
  18. SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (23)
  19. SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (24)
  20. DRACULA – Tame Impala (16) 20th week on chart
  21. HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (25)
  22. THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (26)
  23. THE FEAR – Future Theory (11) 20th week on chart
  24. GET THE MESSAGE – The Paradox (12)
  25. WHITE HORSES – Wolf Alice (13)
  26. PARACHUTE – Hayley Williams (28)
  27. BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (29)
  28. I REMEMBER WHEN – MISSIO (30)
  29. HOLY ROLLER – The Format (20)
  30. DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE – Young the Giant (N)

My Top 30 Songs for March 1-7, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's6 Comments

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.

  1. ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (1)
  2. WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (3)
  3. 12 TO 12 – sombr (2)
  4. THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (11)
  5. HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (5)
  6. INFINITE SOURCE – Deftones (4)
  7. I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (9)
  8. HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (10)
  9. TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (12)
  10. LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (14)
  11. THE FEAR – Future Theory (6)
  12. GET THE MESSAGE – The Paradox (7)
  13. WHITE HORSES – Wolf Alice (8)
  14. ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO DEPRESSED – Joyce Manor (15)
  15. DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (16)
  16. DRACULA – Tame Impala (13)
  17. RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (17)
  18. LOST – almost monday (19)
  19. THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (20)
  20. HOLY ROLLER – The Format (18)
  21. WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (22)
  22. COBRA – Geese (24)
  23. SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (25)
  24. SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (26)
  25. HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (27)
  26. THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (28)
  27. WORLD APART – Bike Routes (23)
  28. PARACHUTE – Hayley Williams (30)
  29. BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (N)
  30. I REMEMBER WHEN – MISSIO (N)

My Top 30 Songs for February 22-28, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's13 Comments
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.

  1. ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (2)
  2. 12 TO 12 – sombr (1)
  3. WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (6)
  4. INFINITE SOURCE – Deftones (5)
  5. HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (8)
  6. THE FEAR – Future Theory (3)
  7. GET THE MESSAGE – The Paradox (4)
  8. WHITE HORSES – Wolf Alice (7)
  9. I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (10)
  10. HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (11)
  11. THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (26)
  12. TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (12)
  13. DRACULA – Tame Impala (9)
  14. LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (21)
  15. ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO DEPRESSED – Joyce Manor (16)
  16. DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (17)
  17. RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (14)
  18. HOLY ROLLER – The Format (18)
  19. LOST – almost monday (19)
  20. THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (20)
  21. TANANA – Portugal. The Man (13)
  22. WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (24)
  23. WORLD APART – Bike Routes (23)
  24. COBRA – Geese (25)
  25. SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (27)
  26. SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (28)
  27. HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (29)
  28. THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (30)
  29. ASKING FOR A FRIEND – Foo Fighters (15)
  30. PARACHUTE – Hayley Williams (N)

My Top 30 Songs for February 15-21, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's15 Comments

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.)

  1. 12 TO 12 – sombr (1) 5th week at #1
  2. ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (5)
  3. THE FEAR – Future Theory (2)
  4. GET THE MESSAGE – The Paradox (3)
  5. INFINITE SOURCE – Deftones (6)
  6. WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (9)
  7. WHITE HORSES – Wolf Alice (7)
  8. HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (8)
  9. DRACULA – Tame Impala (4) Spent 3 weeks at #1
  10. I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (10)
  11. HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (13)
  12. TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (15)
  13. TANANA – Portugal. The Man (11)
  14. RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (12)
  15. ASKING FOR A FRIEND – Foo Fighters (14)
  16. ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO DEPRESSED – Joyce Manor (17)
  17. DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (19)
  18. HOLY ROLLER – The Format (20)
  19. LOST – almost monday (21)
  20. THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (22)
  21. LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (30)
  22. STAY IN YOUR LANE – Courtney Barnett (16)
  23. WORLD APART – Bike Routes (27)
  24. WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (28)
  25. COBRA – Geese (29)
  26. THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (N)
  27. SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (N)
  28. SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (N)
  29. HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (N)
  30. THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (N)

Top 30 Songs for December 15-21, 2024

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's8 Comments

For more than 40 years, English alternative goth rock band The Cure have masterfully captured both the joyous highs and painful depths of love, loss and existential angst in their music, and their latest single “A Fragile Thing” is a shining example of that, as well as a strong testament to their enduring creativity and relevance. Released on October 9, the song was the second single (after the epic “Alone”) from their 14th studio album Songs of a Lost World, their first new material in 16 years since the release of 4:13 Dream in 2008. Entirely written, composed, and arranged by The Cure front man Robert Smith, the album was originally recorded and intended for release in 2019, and is the band’s first album to feature Reeves Gabrels, who joined as a full-time member in 2012, on guitar. According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Songs of a Lost World has received universal acclaim, based on a weighted average score of 93 out of 100 from 23 critic scores.

Like all songs on the album, “A Fragile Thing” reflects the darker sentiments Smith was feeling after the loss of his mother, father and brother in quick succession. Nevertheless, he tried to keep the album “universal” in its themes, stating “So even though most of the songs are very personal, they’re not things that only happen to me.” In an October YouTube interview, he stated that he had struggled to write “A Fragile Thing”, saying it was originally a very different song titled “Kill The Sun”, but that it “mutated into this song, which is very specific to me, I suppose. “But I’m hoping that it resonates with other people because love is a universal thing.” He further explained that “A Fragile Thing” is “the ‘love song’ of the album, but not really a love song in the way that [1989’s] ‘Lovesong’ is a love song. It’s about how love is the most enduring of emotions. It’s the most powerful emotion, and it’s incredibly resilient. And yet at the same time, incredibly fragile.” The hauntingly beautiful song becomes the latest to top my Weekly Top 30 chart.

In other chart developments of note, “Sad in Carolina” by Dexter and The Moonrocks advances two spots to #2. Entering the top 10 are “The Faithful Heart” by Wons Phreely + The Horses, which climbs four spots to #8, and “Neverender” by French electronic music duo Justice and Australian band Tame Impala, moving up two spots to #9.

Two songs make their debut, the first of which, entering at #29, is “Darkerside” by American singer-songwriter David Kushner. Born in Chicago and now based in Los Angeles, the baritone-voiced artist began releasing singles in 2021, and the following year, his song “Mr. Miserable” went viral on TikTok. Though it didn’t chart in the U.S., it reached the top 40 in several European countries, Australia and New Zealand. His 2023 single “Daylight” also went viral on TikTok, becoming an even bigger hit, reaching #1 in the Netherlands, Switzerland and New Zealand and peaking at #33 on the Billboard Hot 100, and has been streamed over 1.3 billion times on Spotify alone. The anthemic “Darkerside”, along with “Daylight”, Mr. Miserable”, and his previous singles, are featured on his debut album The Dichotomy, which was released August 30th. The song has already spent 10 weeks on the Alternative Airplay chart, the past three at #23.

Entering at #30 is “You’re My Drug”, the latest single by Northern Virginia-based Talk in Waves, the music project of the very talented and affable singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jake Mimikos. He’s been a long-time favorite of mine, and “You’re My Drug” is his eighth song to appear on my Top 30 chart. Five of them have gone all the way to #1, most recently his previous single “Like You Do” this past September. “You’re My Drug” is a sexy rocker, featuring an edgier, harder-driving sound for him, and I like it!

  1. A FRAGILE THING – The Cure (2)
  2. SAD IN CAROLINA – Dexter and The Moonrocks (4)
  3. FAVOURITE – Fontaines D.C. (1)
  4. HARDCORE ROMANCE – Beach Weather (5)
  5. DIE WITH A SMILE – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars (3)
  6. NOBODY’S SOLDIER – Hozier (7)
  7. CAN’T SLOW DOWN – almost monday (6)
  8. THE FAITHFUL HEART – Wons Phreely + The Horses (12)
  9. NEVERENDER – Justice & Tame Impala (11)
  10. BOTHERING ME – Sarah Blasko (9)
  11. SUPERSAD – Suki Waterhouse (13)
  12. BOBBY SOX – Green Day (14)
  13. A TEAR IN SPACE (AIRLOCK) – Glass Animals (16)
  14. KINKY – bby (15)
  15. PEACEFUL PLACE – Leon Bridges (8)
  16. MIND GAME (3:33) – Collette McLafferty & John Serrano (18)
  17. DOPAMINE – Sum 41 (19)
  18. IN THE LIVING ROOM – Maggie Rogers (20)
  19. ARROW – The Head and the Heart (21)
  20. GIVING UP – Michigander (22)
  21. THAT’S HOW I’M FEELING – Jack White (10)
  22. AUTUMN LEAVES – Secret Postal Society (24)
  23. ROUTINES IN THE NIGHT – twenty one pilots (26)
  24. GILD THE LILY – Billy Strings (29)
  25. BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Billie Eilish (17)
  26. PEACE SONG – Fat Dog (30)
  27. UP ALL NIGHT – James Bay, The Lumineers & Noah Kahan (25)
  28. GARMONBOZIA – Flying Lotus (23)
  29. DARKERSIDE – David Kushner (N)
  30. YOU’RE MY DRUG – Talk in Waves (N)

Top 30 Songs for December 8-14, 2024

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's10 Comments
Photo by Theo Cottle

Fontaines D.C. remain on top for a third week with their heartwarming “Favourite”, while The Cure switches places with Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars as “A Fragile Thing” moves up a notch to #2 and “Die With A Smile” drops to #3. Dexter and The Moonrocks jump five spots to #4 with their bombastic earworm “Sad in Carolina”, while Beach Weather move up two spots with their sultry “Hardcore Romance” to round out the top five. The wonderful “The Faithful Heart” by Los Angeles-based Wons Phreely + The Horses is this week’s biggest upward mover, leaping 16 spots to #12.

Making their debut are songs by two acts who are totally new to me. The first, entering at #29, is “Gild the Lily” by Michigan-based singer-songwriter and bluegrass musician Billy Strings. Born William Lee Apostol, he was given his stage name Billy Strings from his aunt, who recognized his impressive skills playing multiple traditional bluegrass instruments. He’s been releasing music as a solo artist since 2017, and has won numerous music awards, including a Grammy in 2021 for Best Bluegrass Album for his second album Home. The pleasing “Gild the Lily” is from his fourth album Highway Prayers, a 20-track colossus released this past September.

Entering at #30 is the boisterous “Peace Song” by English techno punk band Fat Dog. Formed in South London in 2020, the band consists of Joe Love, Chris Hughes, Morgan Wallace, Jacqui Wheeler and Johnny ‘Doghead’ Hutch. They released their debut seven-minute long single “King of the Slugs” in 2023, followed by a number of singles which culminated in the release of their debut album WOOF. this past September. Their latest single “Peace Song” dropped November 21st, and it was love at first listen for me.

  1. FAVOURITE – Fontaines D.C. (1)
  2. A FRAGILE THING – The Cure (3)
  3. DIE WITH A SMILE – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars (2)
  4. SAD IN CAROLINA – Dexter and The Moonrocks (9)
  5. HARDCORE ROMANCE – Beach Weather (7)
  6. CAN’T SLOW DOWN – almost monday (6)
  7. NOBODY’S SOLDIER – Hozier (8)
  8. PEACEFUL PLACE – Leon Bridges (4)
  9. BOTHERING ME – Sarah Blasko (10)
  10. THAT’S HOW I’M FEELING – Jack White (5)
  11. NEVERENDER – Justice & Tame Impala (12)
  12. THE FAITHFUL HEART – Wons Phreely + The Horses (28)
  13. SUPERSAD – Suki Waterhouse (15)
  14. BOBBY SOX – Green Day (16)
  15. KINKY – bby (17)
  16. A TEAR IN SPACE (AIRLOCK) – Glass Animals (18)
  17. BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Billie Eilish (11)
  18. MIND GAME (3:33) – Collette McLafferty & John Serrano (21)
  19. DOPAMINE – Sum 41 (22)
  20. IN THE LIVING ROOM – Maggie Rogers (23)
  21. ARROW – The Head and the Heart (24)
  22. GIVING UP – Michigander (25)
  23. GARMONBOZIA – Flying Lotus (13)
  24. AUTUMN LEAVES – Secret Postal Society (26)
  25. UP ALL NIGHT – James Bay, The Lumineers & Noah Kahan (14)
  26. ROUTINES IN THE NIGHT – twenty one pilots (30)
  27. THE DOOR – Teddy Swims (19)
  28. THE EMPTINESS MACHINE – Linkin Park (20)
  29. GILD THE LILY – Billy Strings (N)
  30. PEACE SONG – Fat Dog (N)

Top 30 Songs for December 1-7, 2024

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's11 Comments

As its title would suggest, my favorite song again this week is “Favourite” by Irish band Fontaines D.C., who’ve also become one of my favorite bands. And from posts I’ve read, on the strength of their latest album Romance, they’ve become the favorite of many others as well. In an interview with Fontaines D.C. front man Grian Chatten in September on his Rocket Hour radio show on Apple Music, Elton John told Chatten “For me, you’re the best band out there at the moment. You seem to have found your feet with this album in such a big way… it’s a brilliant record. I think this album takes you – and I’ve been around for a long time – to a different level, and it’s going to stay around for a long, long time. But what’s more important about it: the music is really, really, really special. Congratulations on everything, Grian. It’s bloody wonderful.” I couldn’t agree more. “Favourite” is the second song from Romance – and Fontaines D.C. – to top my Weekly Top 30, following “Starburster”, which spent three weeks at #1 this past August.

In other noteworthy chart developments, the wonderful duet “Die With A Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars climbs two spots to #2, while “A Fragile Thing” by legendary alternative goth-rock band The Cure jumps three spots to #3. Entering the top 10 are “Sad In Carolina” by Texas rock band Dexter and The Moonrocks and “Bothering Me” by Australian singer-songwriter Sarah Blasko.

Two songs make their debut, the first of which is the heartwarming “The Faithful Heart” by Australian-born and Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Wons Phreely and his band The Horses, entering at #28. I wrote about the song and its delightful video a few days ago, which you can read here. The second, entering at #30, is “Routines In The Night” by twenty one pilots. It’s the third song from their latest album Clancy to appear on my chart, following “Overcompensate”, which reached #2, and “The Craving”, which spent three weeks at #1.

  1. FAVOURITE – Fontaines D.C. (1)
  2. DIE WITH A SMILE – Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars (4)
  3. A FRAGILE THING – The Cure (6)
  4. PEACEFUL PLACE – Leon Bridges (2)
  5. THAT’S HOW I’M FEELING – Jack White (3)
  6. CAN’T SLOW DOWN – almost monday (7)
  7. HARDCORE ROMANCE – Beach Weather (8)
  8. NOBODY’S SOLDIER – Hozier (9)
  9. SAD IN CAROLINA – Dexter and The Moonrocks (12)
  10. BOTHERING ME – Sarah Blasko (11)
  11. BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Billie Eilish (5)
  12. NEVERENDER – Justice & Tame Impala (14)
  13. GARMONBOZIA – Flying Lotus (10)
  14. UP ALL NIGHT – James Bay, The Lumineers & Noah Kahan (13)
  15. SUPERSAD – Suki Waterhouse (17)
  16. BOBBY SOX – Green Day (18)
  17. KINKY – bby (19)
  18. A TEAR IN SPACE (AIRLOCK) – Glass Animals (20)
  19. THE DOOR – Teddy Swims (14)
  20. THE EMPTINESS MACHINE – Linkin Park (18)
  21. MIND GAME (3:33) – Collette McLafferty & John Serrano (23)
  22. DOPAMINE – Sum 41 (24)
  23. IN THE LIVING ROOM – Maggie Rogers (26)
  24. ARROW – The Head and the Heart (28)
  25. GIVING UP – Michigander (29)
  26. AUTUMN LEAVES – Secret Postal Society (30)
  27. DEATH VALLEY HIGH – Orville Peck & Beck (21)
  28. THE FAITHFUL HEART – Wons Phreely + The Horses (N)
  29. GOOD LUCK, BABE! – Chappell Roan (27)
  30. ROUTINES IN THE NIGHT – twenty one pilots (N)

Top 30 Songs for November 3-9, 2024

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's12 Comments

Leon Bridges holds onto the top spot for a second week with his bucolic and soulful “Peaceful Place”, while “That’s How I’m Feeling” by Jack White and “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie Eilish remain at #’s 2 and 3 for a second week. Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars enter the top 10 with their duet “Die With A Smile”.

Perhaps the biggest music event of this past week was the release of Songs of a Lost World, the long-awaited fourteenth album by The Cure. The legendary English alternative goth rock band has undeniably had a massive influence on too many artists and bands to name over the past 40 years, so for them to release an album of all new material – their first new album in 16 years – is a momentous occasion. And more importantly, Songs of a Lost World does not disappoint, as Robert Smith (who’s now 65) and The Cure sound every bit as great and relevant as they ever have. The band teased the new album with the release of “Alone” in late September, a sprawling cinematic masterpiece running nearly seven minutes. They followed two weeks later with “A Fragile Thing”, an equally gorgeous song that enters my chart at #26.

The second, long-overdue debut this week is “Mind Game”, a lovely collaboration by Chicago-based singer-songwriter and author Collette Mclafferty and Spanish singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer John Serrano, a hyper-talented artist whose music I’ve previously featured a couple times on this blog. Mclafferty wrote the lyrics and sang lead vocals, while Serrano composed the music, played all instrumentation, sang backing harmonies and produced the track.

  1. PEACEFUL PLACE – Leon Bridges (1)
  2. THAT’S HOW I’M FEELING – Jack White (2)
  3. BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Billie Eilish (3)
  4. THE DOOR – Teddy Swims (6)
  5. STARGAZING – Myles Smith (4)
  6. DEATH VALLEY HIGH – Orville Peck & Beck (8)
  7. FAVOURITE – Fontaines D.C. (9)
  8. GOOD LUCK, BABE! – Chappell Roan (5)
  9. UP ALL NIGHT – James Bay, The Lumineers & Noah Kahan (10)
  10. DIE WITH A SMILE – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars (11)
  11. THE LIGHTHOUSE – Stevie Nicks (14)
  12. MESSY – Lola Young (7)
  13. GARMONBOZIA – Flying Lotus (16)
  14. CAN’T SLOW DOWN – almost monday (17)
  15. HARDCORE ROMANCE – Beach Weather (19)
  16. NOBODY’S SOLDIER – Hozier (23)
  17. BOTHERING ME – Sarah Blasko (20)
  18. RAINBOW – Cage the Elephant (12)
  19. INTO GOLD – London Grammar (13)
  20. THE EMPTINESS MACHINE – Linkin Park (22)
  21. NEVERENDER – Justice & Tame Impala (24)
  22. SAD IN CAROLINA – Dexter and the Moonrocks (27)
  23. ESPRESSO – Sabrina Carpenter (15)
  24. SUPERSAD – Suki Waterhouse (28)
  25. BOBBY SOX – Green Day (29)
  26. A FRAGILE THING – The Cure (N)
  27. BIG CAT TATTOOS – Hamish Hawk (18)
  28. KINKY – bby (30)
  29. YOU JUST PLAYED MY MIND – Oli Barton (21)
  30. MIND GAME – Collette Mclafferty & John Serrano (N)