With the US of A now embroiled in a war with Iran, needlessly started by our self-described “Peace President” (aka authoritarian dictator, pedophile, grifter and lunatic mob boss Donald Trump), it almost seems pointless to write about music. Nevertheless, for those few who might give a shit, I’m sharing my latest favorite songs list.
Australian duo Royel Otis takes over the top spot with their infectious pop gem “who’s your boyfriend”. With lyrics describing an on again, off again love triangle – “Who’s your boyfriend now? ‘Cause you’re sleepin’ with him, but it’s me you’re thinkin’ about” – an old guy like me probably shouldn’t but fuck, I love it! The song is from their second album hickey, released last August. I’ve become a big fan of this talented young duo, and “who’s your boyfriend” is their third song to top my chart, after “Murder on the Dancefloor” (which ranks #4 on my 100 Best Songs of 2024 list) and “moody” (which ranks #4 on my 100 Best Songs of 2025 list).
In other chart news of note, “Rubber Band Man” by English folk rock band Mumford & Sons, with added vocals by Irish singer-songwriter Hozier, reverses course and moves up six spots to #11. It peaked at #7 in late January, but after seeing them on last weekend’s Saturday Night Live show, I realize how much I still like this song.
The lone new entry this week is “Different Kind Of Love”, by L.A.-based alternative pop rock band Young the Giant. Released February 6th, it’s their first new music since 2023 and the lead single from their forthcoming sixth album Victory Garden, planned for release on May 1st. It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly seven years since I saw them in concert in 2019.
WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (2)
ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (1)
THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (4)
HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (5)
12 TO 12 – sombr (3) 20th week on chart
HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (8)
TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (9)
LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (10)
I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (7)
INFINITE SOURCE – Deftones (6)
RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (17)
DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (15)
ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO DEPRESSED – Joyce Manor (14)
LOST – almost monday (18)
THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (19)
WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (21)
COBRA – Geese (22)
SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (23)
SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (24)
DRACULA – Tame Impala (16) 20th week on chart
HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (25)
THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (26)
THE FEAR – Future Theory (11) 20th week on chart
GET THE MESSAGE – The Paradox (12)
WHITE HORSES – Wolf Alice (13)
PARACHUTE – Hayley Williams (28)
BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (29)
Hard to believe we’re already into March, as time seems to fly by at an ever-faster speed. YUNGBLUD remains on top for a second week with “Zombie”, while Royel Otis moves into second place with “who’s your boyfriend”. Three songs enter the top 10, beginning with “The Great Divide” by Noah Kahan, leaping seven spots to #4, “To Space” by Kings of Leon, climbing three spots to #9, and “Lost Your Ghost” by Two Feet, moving up four spots to #10.
Entering my chart this week are “Bedroom Posters” by American pop-punk band Yellowcard, along with American rock band Good Charlotte. The song is a new version of the original that’s featured on Yellowcard’s latest album Better Days, released last October. The album’s title track went to #1 last year on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart and peaked at #6 on my chart. The second new entry, coming in at #30, is “I Remember When”, the hard-charging and boisterous new single by Texas-based duo MISSIO, who’ve been one of my favorite acts since 2017. I’ve written about them numerous times on this blog, and several of their songs have topped my charts.
ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (1)
WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (3)
12 TO 12 – sombr (2)
THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (11)
HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (5)
INFINITE SOURCE – Deftones (4)
I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (9)
HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (10)
TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (12)
LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (14)
THE FEAR – Future Theory (6)
GET THE MESSAGE – The Paradox (7)
WHITE HORSES – Wolf Alice (8)
ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO DEPRESSED – Joyce Manor (15)
DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (16)
DRACULA – Tame Impala (13)
RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (17)
LOST – almost monday (19)
THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (20)
HOLY ROLLER – The Format (18)
WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (22)
COBRA – Geese (24)
SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (25)
SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (26)
HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (27)
THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (28)
WORLD APART – Bike Routes (23)
PARACHUTE – Hayley Williams (30)
BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (N)
Photo of YUNGBLUD taken from a 2025 article in Rock Sound
The beautiful anthem “Zombie” by English singer-songwriter, musician and actor YUNGBLUD takes over the top spot on my chart this week after sombr’s five-week run with “12 to 12”. He calls the song a “love letter to nurses”, and it covers me with goosebumps every time I hear it. From his fourth studio album Idols, released in June 2025, “Zombie” is the first of his singles to reach #1 on my chart, as well as the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart. Both song and album were nominated for Grammys. His 2022 single “Funeral” reached #3 on my chart and ranks #40 on my 100 Best Songs of 2022 list.
Born Dominic Richard Harrison, the charismatic YUNGBLUD’s music has been described as alternative rock, featuring elements of pop-punk, pop rock and hip-hop. He’s cited a wide range of musical influences, including such artists as Arctic Monkeys, The Beatles, The Cure, Nirvana, Avril Lavigne, the Clash, Soundgarden, My Chemical Romance, Marilyn Manson, Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, Elton John, Chrissie Hynde, Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie and the Banshees, Lady Gaga, Lorde, Post Malone, Kanye West, Eminem, and Katy Perry. He also had a close friendship with Ozzy Osbourne, who he considered a mentor. (Wikipedia)
Earlier this month, YUNGBLUD won the Grammy for Best Rock Performance for his cover of the Black Sabbath song “Changes”, featuring Frank Bello on bass, Nuno Bettencourt on guitar, Sleep Token II on drums, and Adam Wakeman on keyboards. Recorded at the Back to the Beginning benefit concert by Black Sabbath, along with a number of supporting artists, on July 5, 2025, the song was released as a charity single later that month.
In other chart news of note, “who’s your boyfriend” by Australian duo Royel Otis advances three spots to #3, while Deftones‘ “infinite source” moves up a spot to #4 and Brandi Carlile‘s inspirational “Human” moves up three spots to #5. L.A.-based alternative pop-rock band The Neighbourhood enter the top 10 with their lovely “Hula Girl”. Vermont folk rock artist Noah Kahan has the biggest upward mover this week with “The Great Divide”, which leaps 15 spots to #11, while “Lost Your Ghost” by Brooklyn, New York artist Two Feet jumps seven spots to #14.
The lone new entry this week is “Parachute” by singer-songwriter Haley Williams, who’s also a member of and lead vocalist for Nashville-based rock band Paramore. The song is from her third solo album Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party, released last August.
ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (2)
12 TO 12 – sombr (1)
WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (6)
INFINITE SOURCE – Deftones (5)
HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (8)
THE FEAR – Future Theory (3)
GET THE MESSAGE – The Paradox (4)
WHITE HORSES – Wolf Alice (7)
I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (10)
HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (11)
THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (26)
TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (12)
DRACULA – Tame Impala (9)
LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (21)
ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO DEPRESSED – Joyce Manor (16)
Given America’s ongoing descent into an authoritarian dictatorship led by a cruel and corrupt narcissistic lunatic and pedophile who operates like a literal mob boss, I haven’t been in the frame of mind to write about music since the start of the year. I’m still feeling pretty disheartened and anxious about what new horrors Combover Caligula and his odious administration will unleash upon us in the coming weeks and months, but wanted to write a post of my current favorite songs mainly because a few of my favorite indie music acts have songs on this week’s chart, and this is my way of letting them know.
First off, the amazing singer-songwriter sombr holds the top spot for a fifth week with his exuberant pop gem “12 to 12”. The talented 20-year-old was nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy, and his song “back to friends” was my favorite song last year. Moving into second place is “Zombie” by English singer-songwriter, musician and actor YUNGBLUD (born Dominic Richard Harrison). The biggest upward mover is “Lost Your Ghost” by New York City-based singer-songwriter and musician Two Feet (aka Bill Dess), jumping nine spots to #21.
The aforementioned favorite indie acts with songs on this chart are English psychedelic rock band Future Theory, who’s fantastic track “The Fear” spends its fifth week in the top 3 (peaking at #2 last week), Virginia singer-songwriter and musician Talk in Waves (aka Jake Mimikos), who’s “Waiting for Me” sits at #24, and Welsh singer-songwriter and musician Secret Postal Society (aka Craig Mapstone), who’s song “Heather” debuts at #29.
Other new debuts include “The Great Divide” by singer-songwriter Noah Kahan, at #26, “SWEET LOVE” by young Nashville-based singer-songwriter Stephen Sanchez, at #27, “Slumber Party” by Chicago-based alternative rock band Brigitte Calls Me Baby, at #28, and “The Old Law” by American singer-songwriter, musician and producer Father John Misty (aka Joshua Michael Tillman), at #30. (It seems nearly every artist has a musical alter-ego.)
12 TO 12 – sombr (1)5th week at #1
ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (5)
THE FEAR – Future Theory (2)
GET THE MESSAGE – The Paradox (3)
INFINITE SOURCE – Deftones (6)
WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (9)
WHITE HORSES – Wolf Alice (7)
HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (8)
DRACULA – Tame Impala (4) Spent 3 weeks at #1
I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (10)
HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (13)
TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (15)
TANANA – Portugal. The Man (11)
RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (12)
ASKING FOR A FRIEND – Foo Fighters (14)
ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO DEPRESSED – Joyce Manor (17)
Well, I thought 2024 was a trying year, but 2025 turned out to be an even bigger shitshow! Between the death of my cat and the unending nightmare of the odious and spectacularly corrupt Trump regime, it’s a wonder I (and millions of others) survived this year intact. Thankfully, there was lots of great music to help keep us relatively sane.
As I do at the end of each year, I’ve compiled a list of my 100 favorite songs for the past year. I’ve previously posted my list of the 100 Best Indie Songs of 2025 (which you can read here), and now this new list represents a compilation of my favorite songs of 2025 (23 of which also appear on my 100 Best Indie Songs list.) I avoid ranking albums, as there are simply far too many I’ve either not heard or had the time to fully listen to, therefore any list I might compile would be woefully inadequate.
As a music blogger, I’m exposed to a tremendous amount of new music over the course of a year, both from the thousands of artists and bands I follow, as well as all the music I learn about from fellow bloggers. Despite this, I’ve heard only a tiny fraction of all the music released in 2025, which was clearly evident to me when I perused the year-end best song lists of music sites and publications like Consequence, The Fader, Rolling Stone, NPR, etc. Therefore, my list includes only songs I know, and I’m certain there are likely hundreds of great ones that should be included, except that I’ve never heard them. Among the thousands of songs I did hear in 2025, there were many outstanding ones, and it frustrates me to have to cull my list down to only 100, omitting quite a few that I really like. It’s also a challenge ranking them, because a song at #40 isn’t necessarily any better than a song at #70. Perhaps it’s a pointless exercise to even rank them at all, except for the fact that I love making lists!
Music tastes are very subjective, and while I don’t understand how others cannot share my love for a particular song or artist, I fully realize that not one person will agree with all my song choices or rankings. I’m an unapologetic lover of pop, but also love dream rock, folk rock and alternative rock, so a lot of songs on my list reflect those genres. My favorite music artist this year was sombr (the hyper-talented 20-year-old American singer-songwriter and producer born Shane Michael Boose), who’s gorgeous, anthemic torch song “back to friends” is #1, while his equally great “undressed” is #11 and “12 to 12” comes in at #29. Also ranking highly are songs from favorite acts of mine who ranked highly on previous years lists, including Royel Otis, Lord Huron, Twenty One Pilots, Fontaines D.C., The Black Keys, Talk in Waves and Frank Joshua.
Most of the songs on this list were released in 2025, however, several were released in 2024 but didn’t ‘peak’ until 2025. Likewise, several songs released after November 1st are still moving up my weekly charts and won’t peak until early 2026, thus will appear on next year’s list. The few songs in this Top 100 that also appeared on my 100 Best Songs of 2024 list are indicated with an asterisk *. I’ve created both YouTube and Spotify playlists for this Top 100, which are included at the end of the post. Hopefully you’ll find some of your own personal favorites on it. Let me know what songs resonated with you in 2025.
BACK TO FRIENDS – sombr
THE FAITHFUL HEART – Wons Phreely + The Horses (my #1 indie song)
SO COLD – Balu Brigada
MOODY – Royel Otis
NOTHING I NEED – Lord Huron
NO RAIN, NO FLOWERS – The Black Keys
IT’S AMAZING TO BE YOUNG – Fontaines D.C.
THE LINE (from Arcane League of Legends) – Twenty One Pilots
IMPOSTER SYNDROME – Fake Empire
FIVE MORE SECONDS – Seafret & KT Tunstall
UNDRESSED – sombr
SAD IN CAROLINA – Dexter and The Moonrocks *
TIME WAITED – My Morning Jacket
ENSENADA – Sublime
WALLS – Frank Joshua
ANOTHER LIFE – Alabama Shakes
THE CONTRACT – Twenty One Pilots
FEELS RIGHT – Talk in Waves
ARROW – The Head And The Heart
TAKE THIS HEART – Brian Lambert
THE WEATHER – All Time Low
BAD DREAMS – Teddy Swims
CITY WALLS – Twenty One Pilots
METAVERSE – Cage the Elephant
SALLY, WHEN THE WINE RUNS OUT – ROLE MODEL
NEVER ENOUGH – TURNSTILE
PORCELAIN (LOSING ALL MY PATIENCE) – Somebody’s Child
JUPITER – almost monday feat. Jordana
12 TO 12 – sombr
PEOPLE WATCHING – Sam Fender
DRACULA – Tame Impala
THE NIGHT BEFORE – The Black Keys
BOBBY SOX – Green Day *
SUSHI AND COLA COLA – St. Paul & The Broken Bones
RUSHMERE – Mumford & Sons
CONTROLLER – Moody Moody
NEVERENDER – Justice feat. Tame Impala *
A TEAR IN SPACE (AIRLOCK) – Glass Animals *
ELEGANTLY WASTED – Hermanos Gutiérrez feat. Leon Bridges
BAD LARRY – Cloakroom
LOVE IS A FIRE – Art Block
YOU’RE MY DRUG – Talk in Waves
THE TURNAROUND – DelCobras
BASIC BEING BASIC – Djo
BACKSEAT – Balu Brigada
ARCHBISHOP HAROLD HOLMES – Jack White
SAILOR SONG – Gigi Perez
AUTUMN LEAVES – Secret Postal Society
IN THE LIVING ROOM – Maggie Rogers
MISTAKES – Caamp
DOWNSTAIRS – Matt Maeson
LONDON TOWN – HEALER
MORTAL WOUND – The Veils
DETROIT – Badflower
POLYESTER (YES SIR) – Sorry Ghost
LAREDO – Leon Bridges
CATCH THESE FISTS – Wet Leg
AS ALIVE AS YOU NEED ME TO BE – Nine Inch Nails
LUTHER – Kendrick Lamar & SZA
BETTER DAYS – Yellowcard
SAME OLD SONG – The Lumineers
SHE WANTS TO GO DANCING – Mt. Joy
STRAIGHT TO THE GROUND – Unquiet Nights
RIPPLE – Good Neighbours
BETTER OFF EVENTUALLY – Bealby Point
SNAKESKIN – NAVE
THE FATE OF OPHELIA – Taylor Swift
BARBARIAN – AWOLNATION
BONNET OF PINS – Matt Berninger
ORDINARY CREATURE – Of Monsters and Men
POOR SAD INDIE EVERYTHING – Icarus Phoenix
WITHOUT A DOUBT – Charm School
ASSHOLE – The Lumineers
GILD THE LILY – Billy Strings
SPECTER – Bad Omens
LIGHT YEARS APART – Unobliterated
LET THINGS GO – Caamp
RITALIN – Dexter and The Moonrocks
SO FAR SO FAKE – Pierce the Veil
THE FEAR – Future Theory
THE SUBWAY – Chappell Roan
SPIKE ISLAND – Pulp
WRECK – Neko Case
MOTHER – Lyia Meta & Mark Allen Lanoue
BLOOM BABY BLOOM – Wolf Alice
DAY & NIGHT – Oli Barton
LUCY – Mt. Joy
WHO’S A FRAUD? – Still Traffico
HORNETS – Western Jaguar
ANKLES – Lucy Dacus
HESITATE – Meltt
GIVING UP – Michigander
THREE SIX FIVE – Shinedown
RELATIONSHIPS – HAIM
AFTERLIFE – Alex G
GET THE MESSAGE – The Paradox
DANG – Rainbow Kitten Surprise
SUGAR ON MY TONGUE – Tyler, The Creator
WHAT WAS THAT – Lorde
AFTERLIFE – Sharon Van Etten
Honorable Mention (these songs would rank #s 101-115):
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!
THE FAITHFUL HEART – Wons Phreely + The Horses
IMPOSTER SYNDROME – Fake Empire
WALLS – Frank Joshua
FEELS RIGHT – Talk in Waves
TAKE THIS HEART – Brian Lambert
CONTROLLER – Moody Moody
BAD LARRY – Cloakroom
LOVE IS A FIRE – Art Block
YOU’RE MY DRUG – Talk in Waves
THE TURNAROUND – DelCobras
LONDON TOWN – HEALER
POLYESTER (YES SIR) – Sorry Ghost
STRAIGHT TO THE GROUND – Unquiet Nights
SNAKESKIN – NAVE
BETTER OFF EVENTUALLY – Bealby Point
LIGHT YEARS APART – Unobliterated
THE FEAR – Future Theory
POOR SAD INDIE EVERYTHING – Icarus Phoenix
WITHOUT A DOUBT – Charm School
MOTHER – Lyia Meta & Mark Allen Lanoue
DAY & NIGHT – Oli Barton
WHO’S A FRAUD? – Still Traffico
HORNETS – Western Jaguar
SCARS – Secret Postal Society
REALITY BUZZ – Future Theory
AFTER ALL – Darksoft
TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT – overpass
FEEL – NAVE
HERE WE GO AGAIN – Set the Tone
BAD PATTERNS – HEALER
ALWAYS WITH YOU – Ewan Patrick
THE HAZE – Future Theory
ECHOES – Antipole, Ja’kob & Pedro Code
TREPHINE – Big Orange
WHAT IT TAKES – The Radio Field
SLOW DEATH – Western Jaguar
SUPERSPREADER YEAR – Roadkeeper
BLEAK COMPANION – The Brigadier
MARK & KYLE – Icarus Phoenix
LLUMINE – Josephine Pascoe
DAYS LIKE THESE – Frank Joshua
ESPIONAGE – Rusty Shipp
CONSPIRACY OF SNAKES – Blake Rascals
CALIFORNIA – Art Block
NATIONAL TREASURE – Faint Halos
ANTICIPATE THE FALL – Pilod
FALLING DOWN – Holy Coves
CALLING OUT – Black Bear Kiss
BEERS WITH THE BEEKEEPER – The Zangwills
IT’S GETTING LATE – Sorry Ghost
IT’S ALRIGHT – The Radio Field & The Baumhoff Explosives
OH NO – John Serrano
MEDICATED – Shape of the Sun
MY DOG BRUCE – Jack Droppers & the Best Intentions
INSIDE – Skar de Line
DARLING, HE DOESN’T CARE – Olivia Miceli
ALL FOR NOTHING – Set the Tone
NOTHING REALLY MATTERS – Snap Infraction
ALONE – The Sylvia Platters
LOOK WHAT YOU DID – Jeen
WHERE IS SHE NOW – Mecuzine
SHUT UP – Esse. feat. Shimmer Johnson
PACK IT UP – Diet Lite
LOVE LIES – Caleb Nichols
WHITEBOARD (YOU CALL HOME) – FRVR
LIFESPAN – Cormac O Caoimh
I, PHONE – INNERSPEAR
EVERYTHING SEDUCTIVE – Unquiet Nights
DOUBLE DISCO – Bealby Point
ALRIGHT – naive nature
BUNK BEDS – Lost in the City
SEVENTH ROCK FROM THE SUN – Only on Weekends
SOMEDAY SOON – DelCobras
DON’T GO TO BED WITH A BAD MIND – The Brigadier
BROKEN ANIMAL – Matt Jaffe
ALL I NEED TO KNOW – PluX feat. Shimmer Johnson
I WANNA FIGHT MY CLONE – Bear Ghost & Playboy Manbaby
“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.
UNDRESSED – sombr (1)
FIVE MORE SECONDS – Seafret & KT Tunstall (4)
ENSENADA – Sublime (5)
JUPITER – almost monday feat. Jordana (2)
SALLY, WHEN THE WINE RUNS OUT – ROLE MODEL (3)
BACKSEAT – Balu Brigada (7)
BETTER DAYS – Yellowcard (9)
LIGHT YEARS APART – Unobliterated (10)
AS ALIVE AS YOU NEED ME TO BE – Nine Inch Nails (11)
POLYESTER (YES SIR) – Sorry Ghost (6)
HORNETS – Western Jaguar (14)
MISTAKES – Caamp (15)
THE WEATHER – All Time Low (16)
ASSHOLE – The Lumineers (8)
WRECK – Neko Case (22)
SUSHI AND COCA-COLA – St. Paul & The Broken Bones (26)
MY MIND IS A MOUNTAIN – Deftones (13)
DOWNSTAIRS – Matt Maeson (24)
EVERYBODY SCREAM – Florence + The Machine (25)
ELEGANTLY WASTED – Hermanos Gutiérrez feat. Leon Bridges (28)
ANOTHER LIFE – Alabama Shakes (29)
MOODY – Royel Otis (17)
METAL – The Beths (18)
EVERYDAY MAGIC – My Morning Jacket (19)
FEELS RIGHT – Talk in Waves (12) 20th week on chart
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.
UNDRESSED – sombr (2)
JUPITER – almost monday feat. Jordana (1)
SALLY, WHEN THE WINE RUNS OUT – ROLE MODEL (3)
FIVE MORE SECONDS – Seafret & KT Tunstall (4)
ENSENADA – Sublime (6)
POLYESTER (YES SIR) – Sorry Ghost (5)
BACKSEAT – Balu Brigada (8)
ASSHOLE – The Lumineers (9)
BETTER DAYS – Yellowcard (10)
LIGHT YEARS APART – Unobliterated (11)
AS ALIVE AS YOU NEED ME TO BE – Nine Inch Nails (14)
FEELS RIGHT – Talk in Waves (7)
MY MIND IS A MOUNTAIN – Deftones (17)
HORNETS – Western Jaguar (19)
MISTAKES – Caamp (23)
THE WEATHER – All Time Low (24)
MOODY – Royel Otis (18)
METAL – The Beths (20)
EVERYDAY MAGIC – My Morning Jacket (21)
LOVE IS A FIRE – Art Block (12)
NO RAIN, NO FLOWERS – The Black Keys (14)
WRECK – Neko Case (25)
LONDON TOWN – HEALER (15)
DOWNSTAIRS – Matt Maeson (27)
EVERYBODY SCREAM – Florence + The Machine (30)
SUSHI AND COCA-COLA – St. Paul & The Broken Bones (N)
THE CONTRACT – Twenty One Pilots (22)
ELEGANTLY WASTED – Hermanos Gutiérrez feat. Leon Bridges (N)
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.
JUPITER – almost monday feat. Jordana (2)
UNDRESSED – sombr (3)
SALLY, WHEN THE WINE RUNS OUT – ROLE MODEL (1)
FIVE MORE SECONDS – Seafret & KT Tunstall (5)
POLYESTER (YES SIR) – Sorry Ghost (6)
ENSENADA – Sublime (12)
FEELS RIGHT – Talk in Waves (4)
BACKSEAT – Balu Brigada (10)
ASSHOLE – The Lumineers (11)
BETTER DAYS – Yellowcard (14)
LIGHT YEARS APART – Unobliterated (15)
LOVE IS A FIRE – Art Block (7)
NO RAIN, NO FLOWERS – The Black Keys (8)
AS ALIVE AS YOU NEED ME TO BE – Nine Inch Nails (16)
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 MidnightGreen, 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.
FEELS RIGHT – Talk in Waves (1)
SALLY, WHEN THE WINE RUNS OUT – ROLE MODEL (4)
LOVE IS A FIRE – Art Block (3)
NO RAIN, NO FLOWERS – The Black Keys (2)
LONDON TOWN – Healer (5)
JUPITER – almost monday ft. Jordana (8)
UNDRESSED – sombr (9)
POLYESTER (YES SIR) – Sorry Ghost (10)
FIVE MORE SECONDS – Seafret & KT Tunstall (11)
THE CONTRACT – Twenty One Pilots (6)
MOODY – Royel Otis (7)
BACKSEAT – Balu Brigada (12)
ASSHOLE – The Lumineers (14)
TODAY’S SONG – Foo Fighters (15)
BETTER DAYS – Yellowcard (16)
LIGHT YEARS APART – Unobliterated (18)
UNRAVELLING – Muse (20)
AFTERLIFE – Alex G (21)
AS ALIVE AS YOU NEED ME TO BE – Nine Inch Nails (22)
ECLECTIC MUSIC LOVER 