Tag: Sorry Ghost

100 Best Indie Songs of 2025

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Song Lists22 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 October 26-November 1, 2025

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's3 Comments

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.

  1. FIVE MORE SECONDS – Seafret & KT Tunstall (1)
  2. ENSENADA – Sublime (3)
  3. UNDRESSED – sombr (2)
  4. AS ALIVE AS YOU NEED ME TO BE – Nine Inch Nails (5)
  5. SUSHI AND COCA-COLA – St. Paul & The Broken Bones (8)
  6. BACKSEAT – Balu Brigada (4)
  7. MISTAKES – Caamp (10)
  8. THE WEATHER – All Time Low (11)
  9. ANOTHER LIFE – Alabama Shakes (16)
  10. ELEGANTLY WASTED – Hermanos Gutiérrez feat. Leon Bridges (15)
  11. BETTER DAYS – Yellowcard (6)
  12. LIGHT YEARS APART – Unobliterated (7)
  13. HORNETS – Western Jaguar (9)
  14. WRECK – Neko Case (14)
  15. DOWNSTAIRS – Matt Maeson (17)
  16. EVERYBODY SCREAM – Florence + The Machine (18)
  17. CITY WALLS – Twenty One Pilots (22)
  18. THE FATE OF OPHELIA – Taylor Swift (23)
  19. ORDINARY CREATURE – Of Monsters and Men (21)
  20. SPECTER – Bad Omens (14)
  21. ENOUGH – Jeff Tweedy (27)
  22. JUPITER – almost monday feat. Jordana (12)
  23. SALLY, WHEN THE WINE RUNS OUT – ROLE MODEL (13)
  24. DRACULA – Tame Impala (N)
  25. POLYESTER (YES SIR) – Sorry Ghost (19)
  26. ASSHOLE – The Lumineers (20)
  27. LINGERIE – Two Feet (30)
  28. SO FAR SO FAKE – Pierce the Veil (N)
  29. 12 TO 12 – sombr (N)
  30. THE FEAR – Future Theory (N)

My Top 30 Songs for October 19-25, 2025

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's10 Comments

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.

  1. FIVE MORE SECONDS – Seafret & KT Tunstall (2)
  2. UNDRESSED – sombr (1)
  3. ENSENADA – Sublime (3)
  4. BACKSEAT – Balu Brigada (6)
  5. AS ALIVE AS YOU NEED ME TO BE – Nine Inch Nails (9)
  6. BETTER DAYS – Yellowcard (7)
  7. LIGHT YEARS APART – Unobliterated (8)
  8. SUSHI AND COCA-COLA – St. Paul & The Broken Bones (16)
  9. HORNETS – Western Jaguar (11)
  10. MISTAKES – Caamp (12)
  11. THE WEATHER – All Time Low (13)
  12. JUPITER – almost monday feat. Jordana (4)
  13. SALLY, WHEN THE WINE RUNS OUT – ROLE MODEL (5)
  14. WRECK – Neko Case (15)
  15. ELEGANTLY WASTED – Hermanos Gutiérrez feat. Leon Bridges (20)
  16. ANOTHER LIFE – Alabama Shakes (21)
  17. DOWNSTAIRS – Matt Maeson (18)
  18. EVERYBODY SCREAM – Florence + The Machine (19)
  19. POLYESTER (YES SIR) – Sorry Ghost (10)
  20. ASSHOLE – The Lumineers (14)
  21. ORDINARY CREATURE – Of Monsters and Men (26)
  22. CITY WALLS – Twenty One Pilots (29)
  23. THE FATE OF OPHELIA – Taylor Swift (N)
  24. SPECTER – Bad Omens (30)
  25. MY MIND IS A MOUNTAIN – Deftones (17)
  26. MOODY – Royel Otis (22) 20th Week on Chart
  27. ENOUGH – Jeff Tweedy (N)
  28. METAL – The Beths (23)
  29. EVERYDAY MAGIC – My Morning Jacket (24)
  30. LINGERIE – Two Feet (N)

My Top 30 Songs for October 12-18, 2025

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's6 Comments

“undressed” by charismatic young artist sombr remains at #1 for a second week, while “Five More Seconds” by English duo Seafret and Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall moves up two spots to #2, and “Ensenada” by Southern California ska punk band Sublime also advances two spots, to #3. Nine Inch Nails‘ “As Alive As You Need Me To Be” enters the top 10 at #9, and “Sushi and Coca-Cola” by Alabama soul band St. Paul & The Broken Bones leaps 10 spots to #16, making it the biggest upward mover on this week’s chart.

Two songs make their debut, the first of which is “City Walls” by my longtime favorite band Twenty One Pilots, consisting of singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tyler Joseph and drummer Josh Dun. The song replaces their previous single “The Contract”, which falls off my chart after its 14-week run. Both songs are from their eighth and latest album Breach, which dropped September 12th.

The second debut is the hauntingly beautiful “Specter” by American alternative melodic metalcore band Bad Omens. Formed in 2015, the band now consists of Noah Sebastian (lead vocals, programming), Nicholas Ruffilo (bass, backing vocals), Joakim “Jolly” Karlsson (guitars, programming) Nick Folio (drums, percussion). Their magnificent song “THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND” spent four weeks at #7 on my chart in late 2023 and finished the year at #56.

  1. UNDRESSED – sombr (1)
  2. FIVE MORE SECONDS – Seafret & KT Tunstall (4)
  3. ENSENADA – Sublime (5)
  4. JUPITER – almost monday feat. Jordana (2)
  5. SALLY, WHEN THE WINE RUNS OUT – ROLE MODEL (3)
  6. BACKSEAT – Balu Brigada (7)
  7. BETTER DAYS – Yellowcard (9)
  8. LIGHT YEARS APART – Unobliterated (10)
  9. AS ALIVE AS YOU NEED ME TO BE – Nine Inch Nails (11)
  10. POLYESTER (YES SIR) – Sorry Ghost (6)
  11. HORNETS – Western Jaguar (14)
  12. MISTAKES – Caamp (15)
  13. THE WEATHER – All Time Low (16)
  14. ASSHOLE – The Lumineers (8)
  15. WRECK – Neko Case (22)
  16. SUSHI AND COCA-COLA – St. Paul & The Broken Bones (26)
  17. MY MIND IS A MOUNTAIN – Deftones (13)
  18. DOWNSTAIRS – Matt Maeson (24)
  19. EVERYBODY SCREAM – Florence + The Machine (25)
  20. ELEGANTLY WASTED – Hermanos Gutiérrez feat. Leon Bridges (28)
  21. ANOTHER LIFE – Alabama Shakes (29)
  22. MOODY – Royel Otis (17)
  23. METAL – The Beths (18)
  24. EVERYDAY MAGIC – My Morning Jacket (19)
  25. FEELS RIGHT – Talk in Waves (12) 20th week on chart
  26. ORDINARY CREATURE – Of Monsters and Men (30)
  27. LOVE IS A FIRE – Art Block (20)
  28. NO RAIN, NO FLOWERS – The Black Keys (21)
  29. CITY WALLS – Twenty One Pilots (N)
  30. SPECTER – Bad Omens (N)

My Top 30 Songs for October 5-11, 2025

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's10 Comments
A still photo of sombr from his YouTube video.

There are some major changes to my chart this week, with a great new #1 song and four terrific new debuts. New York City born and now Los Angeles based sombr (the musical moniker of 20-year-old singer-songwriter and producer Shane Michael Boose) scores his second #1 song on my chart with “undressed” (“back to friends” spent three weeks at #1 in July). Both songs are featured on his debut album I Barely Know Her, which dropped August 22nd. I think the 6-foot, 7-inch tall young man is one of the finest new artists to emerge on the music scene this year.

“Light Years Apart” by Unobliterated, the music project of England-born and now Portugal-based singer-songwriter and musician Gary Taylor, enters the top 10 at #10. And “Mistakes” by Columbus, Ohio-based bluegrass-folk band Caamp, and The Weather” by Maryland pop-punk/rock band All Time Low are the biggest upward movers this week, each climbing eight spots to #15 and #16, respectively.

There were at least seven songs I wanted to add to this week’s chart, but not ready to drop that many off in order to accommodate them all, I had to limit my new additions to only four, the first of which is the delightful “Sushi and Coca-Cola” by soul band St. Paul & The Broken Bones, entering at #26. Formed in Birmingham, Alabama in 2012, the eight-piece consists of Paul Janeway (vocals), Browan Lollar (guitar), Jesse Phillips (bass), Kevin Leon (drums), Al Gamble (keys), Allen Branstetter (trumpet), Amari Ansari (saxophone), and Chad Fisher (trombone). Though they’ve released five albums, two EPs and numerous singles, I’ve somehow never heard of them until recently, when I saw “Sushi and Coca-Cola” rise up the Billboard AAA chart, where it currently sits at #2. I’m loving their soulful jazz-infused sound.

The second debut, coming in at #28, is the enchanting “Elegantly Wasted” by Hermanos Gutiérrez, featuring vocals by one of my favorite singers Leon Bridges. Hermanos Gutiérrez (Spanish for “Gutiérrez Brothers”) is a Latin instrumental band formed in 2015 in Zürich by Ecuadorian-Swiss brothers Alejandro Gutiérrez (guitar and lap steel) and Estevan Gutiérrez (guitar and percussion). The talented duo is totally new to me despite the fact they’ve released seven albums since 2017. One of them, El Bueno y el Malo, was recorded in Nashville in collaboration with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys and released on his label Easy Eye Sound in 2022.

Next up is “Another Life” from another Alabama act, Alabama Shakes, a blues rock band comprised of Brittany Howard (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Heath Fogg (lead guitar and vocals) and Zac Cockrell (bass). Formed in 2009, they released two albums, three EPs and numerous singles, including their big 2015 hit “Don’t Wanna Fight”, before going on hiatus in 2018 so that Howard could focus on her solo career (under which she’s released two critically acclaimed albums). They reunited this past December, and on August 29th, released “Another Life”, their first new music as a band in ten years. It’s great having them back!

Last but certainly not least is “Ordinary Creature” by Icelandic folk/rock band Of Monsters and Men, another act I’m happy has released new music, as I’ve been a fan since hearing their debut single “Little Talks” back in early 2012. Formed in 2010, the five-piece consists of lead singer and guitarist Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir (guitar and lead vocals) Ragnar “Raggi” Þórhallsson (guitar and vocals), Brynjar Leifsson (lead guitar), Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson (drums), and Kristján Páll Kristjánsson (bass). “Ordinary Creature” will be featured on their forthcoming fourth studio album All Is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade, due for release on October 17th.

  1. UNDRESSED – sombr (2)
  2. JUPITER – almost monday feat. Jordana (1)
  3. SALLY, WHEN THE WINE RUNS OUT – ROLE MODEL (3)
  4. FIVE MORE SECONDS – Seafret & KT Tunstall (4)
  5. ENSENADA – Sublime (6)
  6. POLYESTER (YES SIR) – Sorry Ghost (5)
  7. BACKSEAT – Balu Brigada (8)
  8. ASSHOLE – The Lumineers (9)
  9. BETTER DAYS – Yellowcard (10)
  10. LIGHT YEARS APART – Unobliterated (11)
  11. AS ALIVE AS YOU NEED ME TO BE – Nine Inch Nails (14)
  12. FEELS RIGHT – Talk in Waves (7)
  13. MY MIND IS A MOUNTAIN – Deftones (17)
  14. HORNETS – Western Jaguar (19)
  15. MISTAKES – Caamp (23)
  16. THE WEATHER – All Time Low (24)
  17. MOODY – Royel Otis (18)
  18. METAL – The Beths (20)
  19. EVERYDAY MAGIC – My Morning Jacket (21)
  20. LOVE IS A FIRE – Art Block (12)
  21. NO RAIN, NO FLOWERS – The Black Keys (14)
  22. WRECK – Neko Case (25)
  23. LONDON TOWN – HEALER (15)
  24. DOWNSTAIRS – Matt Maeson (27)
  25. EVERYBODY SCREAM – Florence + The Machine (30)
  26. SUSHI AND COCA-COLA – St. Paul & The Broken Bones (N)
  27. THE CONTRACT – Twenty One Pilots (22)
  28. ELEGANTLY WASTED – Hermanos Gutiérrez feat. Leon Bridges (N)
  29. ANOTHER LIFE – Alabama Shakes (N)
  30. ORDINARY CREATURE – Of Monsters and Men (N)

My Top 30 Songs for September 28-October 4, 2025

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's22 Comments

Given that America is now an idiocracy that’s also descending into full-blown authoritarianism under our brazenly corrupt and cruel lunatic of a president, his evil, sycophantic cabinet, a completely spineless Congress and an unethical shadow docket-loving Supreme Court (not to mention the recent loss of our beloved cat), it’s been difficult for me to feel positive about anything these days, including music. That said, I can’t not compile my weekly list of favorite current songs, therefore will continue to bore my readers with my Weekly Top 30 charts.

Furthermore, though I’m now a tired old man, I’ve never lost my love for pop music, which is reflected in quite a few songs on this week’s list, starting with my new #1 song “jupiter” by San Diego-based indie pop band almost monday (comprised of Dawson Daugherty on vocals, Cole Clisby on guitar, and Luke Fabry on bass), featuring added vocals by L.A.-based indie pop singer-songwriter Jordana. The song was originally included on almost monday’s 2014 album DIVE as a recording by only the band, but a newer version with Jordana singing backing vocals, released in January on a deluxe version of DIVE, has become a big hit for them both.

More great pop abounds with “undressed” by sombr, which moves into second place, the rousing “Five More Seconds” by English duo Seafret and Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall at #4, and “polyester (yes sir)” by Los Angeles-based pop-rock band Sorry Ghost at #5. Three songs – “Ensenada” by Southern California ska punk band Sublime, “Asshole” by Denver, Colorado-based duo The Lumineers, and “Better Days” by Los Angeles-based pop punk band Yellowcard – enter the top 10 at #s 6, 9 and 10, respectively. “Better Days” recently spent three weeks at #1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart.

The lone new debut this week is “Everybody Scream” by English indie rock act Florence + the Machine, a longtime favorite of mine who’s previously topped my chart with “Hunger” in 2018 and “My Love” in 2022, which ranks #2 on my 100 Best Songs of 2022 list (I can’t believe it’s already been three years!). Released on August 20th, “Everybody Scream” is the title track from their forthcoming sixth studio album, set to drop October 31st.

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

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)

My Top 30 Songs for August 31-September 6, 2025

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's7 Comments
Photo of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney by Larry Niehues

“No Rain, No Flowers” by The Black Keys holds onto the top spot for a third week, while the equally infectious “Feels Right” by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Talk in Waves moves into second place. “Back to Friends” by sombr racks up its 13th week in my top 10, three of them spent at #1.

Two songs make their debut this week, starting with the wonderful “Metal” by New Zealand indie pop-rock band The Beths. Formed in Auckland in 2014, the band’s lineup includes lead vocalist Elizabeth Stokes, guitarist Jonathan Pearce, bassist Benjamin Sinclair, and drummer Tristan Deck. The lead single from their fourth and latest album Straight Line Was A Lie – released this past Friday, August 29th – “Metal” is their first single to chart in the U.S., currently sitting at #10 on the Billboard AAA (Adult Alternative Airplay) chart. I love the lively melody and jangly guitars!

My second new entry is “Everyday Magic” by Louisville, Kentucky-based My Morning Jacket, whose music is a glorious blend of indie, alternative and psychedelic rock, country, Americana and Southern rock. Formed in 1998, the band presently consists of vocalist/guitarist Jim James, bassist Tom Blankenship, drummer Patrick Hallahan, guitarist Carl Broemel, and keyboardist Bo Koster. The delightful “Everyday Magic” is from their tenth and latest album is, which dropped this past March. Another track from that album, “Time Waited”, topped my chart in May. “Everyday Magic” is currently #1 on the Billboard AAA chart, which is a major influence on my own chart.

  1. NO RAIN, NO FLOWERS – The Black Keys (1)
  2. FEELS RIGHT – Talk in Waves (3)
  3. THE CONTRACT – Twenty One Pilots (2)
  4. MOODY – Royel Otis (4)
  5. LOVE IS A FIRE – Art Block (7)
  6. LONDON TOWN – Healer (8)
  7. SALLY, WHEN THE WINE RUNS OUT – ROLE MODEL (9)
  8. BETTER OFF EVENTUALLY – Bealby Point (6)
  9. RIPPLE – Good Neighbours (5)
  10. BACK TO FRIENDS – sombr (10)
  11. JUPITER – almost monday ft. Jordana (12)
  12. UNDRESSED – sombr (13)
  13. ASSHOLE – The Lumineers (14)
  14. BACKSEAT – Balu Brigada (15)
  15. POLYESTER (YES SIR) – Sorry Ghost (16)
  16. TODAY’S SONG – Foo Fighters (17)
  17. FIVE MORE SECONDS – Seafret & KT Tunstall (18)
  18. BETTER DAYS – Yellowcard (19)
  19. BLOOM BABY BLOOM – Wolf Alice (11)
  20. LIGHT YEARS APART – Unobliterated (23)
  21. UNRAVELLING – Muse (24)
  22. AFTERLIFE – Alex G (26)
  23. AS ALIVE AS YOU NEED ME TO BE – Nine Inch Nails (27)
  24. ENSENADA – Sublime (28)
  25. MY MIND IS A MOUNTAIN – Deftones (29)
  26. HORNETS – Western Jaguar (30)
  27. BASIC BEING BASIC – Djo (20) 20th week on chart
  28. NOTHING I NEED – Lord Huron (21)
  29. METAL – The Beths (N)
  30. EVERYDAY MAGIC – My Morning Jacket (N)

My Top 30 Songs for August 24-30, 2025

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's8 Comments
Photo of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney by Larry Niehues

Last week’s top ten songs remain in place again this week, with a bit of shuffling here and there. The Black Keys top my chart for a second week with “No Rain, No Flowers”, while “The Contract” by Twenty One Pilots holds at #2 again after a two-week run at #1. “Feels Right” by northern Virginia singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Talk in Waves moves up a spot to secure the third place ranking.

We have three new debuts, two of which are by legendary alt-rock favorites, and another by one of my favorite Canadian indie artists. Entering at #28 is “Ensenada” by American ska punk band Sublime, who originally formed way back in 1988 in Long Beach, California and consisted of Bradley Nowell (vocals and guitar), Bud Gaugh (drums) and Eric Wilson (bass). Over their eight-year run, Sublime released three studio albums, a live album, five compilation albums, three EPs, one box set and six singles, three of which – “What I Got”, “Santeria” and “Wrong Way” – have remained longtime alt-rock radio staples. The band disbanded after singer Bradley Nowell’s death from a heroin overdose in 1996 but subsequently reformed in 2023 with Bradley’s son Jakob Nowell singing lead vocals alongside original band members Wilson and Gaugh. Their latest single “Ensenada”, released July 18th, carries on with the band’s original signature sound, almost as if no time has passed.

Coming in at #29 is “my mind is a mountain” by American alternative metal band Deftones. Also formed in 1988, in Sacramento, California (where I lived from 1989-1994), they originally consisted of frontman Chino Moreno (lead vocals), Stephen Carpenter (lead guitar), Abe Cunningham (drums) and Chi Cheng (bass). Frank Delgado later joined the band as keyboardist and turntablist in 1999. Cheng, who was seriously injured in an auto accident in 2008 and subsequently died in 2013, was replaced on bass by Sergio Vega, who remained with the band until early 2021. Deftones have released 10 studio albums, four EPs, three compilation albums, five demo albums, 32 music videos and 25 singles. Though none of their songs have ever made the Billboard Hot 100, several have appeared on the Alternative and Rock charts. On July 10th, they released “my mind is a mountain”, the lead single from their 10th and latest album private music (which dropped this past Friday, August 22nd), their first new music since their 2020 album Ohms. With the intensely heavy and melodic “my mind is a mountain”, it’s clear Deftones haven’t lost a step and I’m really liking the new album as well.

Last but certainly not least is “Hornets” by British Columbia-based Western Jaguar, the music project of the personable and talented singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jeffrey Trainor. I’ve been a fan of his for over seven years, and two of his songs – “Disappear” (2019) and “Darling” (2023) have reached #1 on my chart. His latest single “Hornets” represents a somewhat edgier, more rock-oriented sound from him and I like it!

  1. NO RAIN, NO FLOWERS – The Black Keys (1)
  2. THE CONTRACT – Twenty One Pilots (2)
  3. FEELS RIGHT – Talk in Waves (4)
  4. MOODY – Royel Otis (3)
  5. RIPPLE – Good Neighbours (6)
  6. BETTER OFF EVENTUALLY – Bealby Point (7)
  7. LOVE IS A FIRE – Art Block (8)
  8. LONDON TOWN – Healer (9)
  9. SALLY, WHEN THE WINE RUNS OUT – ROLE MODEL (10)
  10. BACK TO FRIENDS – sombr (5)
  11. BLOOM BABY BLOOM – Wolf Alice (12)
  12. JUPITER – almost monday ft. Jordana (13)
  13. UNDRESSED – sombr (14)
  14. ASSHOLE – The Lumineers (15)
  15. BACKSEAT – Balu Brigada (19)
  16. POLYESTER (YES SIR) – Sorry Ghost (20)
  17. TODAY’S SONG – Foo Fighters (21)
  18. FIVE MORE SECONDS – Seafret & KT Tunstall (22)
  19. BETTER DAYS – Yellowcard (24)
  20. BASIC BEING BASIC – Djo (11)
  21. NOTHING I NEED – Lord Huron (17)
  22. INCOMPREHENSIBLE – Big Thief (25)
  23. LIGHT YEARS APART – Unobliterated (26)
  24. UNRAVELLING – Muse (27)
  25. PORCELAIN (LOSING ALL MY PATIENCE) – Somebody’s Child (16)
  26. AFTERLIFE – Alex G (29)
  27. AS ALIVE AS YOU NEED ME TO BE – Nine Inch Nails (30)
  28. ENSENADA – Sublime (N)
  29. MY MIND IS A MOUNTAIN – Deftones (N)
  30. HORNETS – Western Jaguar (N)