Tag: The Paradox

My Top 30 Songs for October 25-31, 2026

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Fontaines D.C. hold onto the top spot for a second week with “Marianne”, while Death Cab for Cutie slides into second place with “Stone Over Water” and Alabama Shakes‘ “I Feel Hope Coming” moves up to #3. The Foo Fighters enter the top 10 with “Window”.

Once again there are two new entries to my chart, the first being “Who’s That” by American rock band The War on Drugs. Formed in 2005 by Adam Granduciel and Kurt Vile, the band has undergone numerous changes in lineup and presently consists of Granduciel (vocals, guitar), David Hartley (bass), Robbie Bennett (keyboards), Charlie Hall (drums), Jon Natchez (saxophone, keyboards), Anthony LaMarca (guitar), and Eliza Hardy Jones (percussion, keyboards). Since 2008 they’ve released five albums, the last being I Don’t Live Here Anymore which dropped almost exactly five years ago today. Three of their songs have reached #1 on my chart – “Holding On” (2017), “Pain” (2018) and “I Don’t Live Here Anymore” (2021-22). Released on September 9th, “Who’s That” is their first new music in four years and the lead single from their forthcoming sixth album, the name of which hasn’t yet been revealed.

The second new entry is “Five” by Secret Postal Society, the music project of Welsh singer-songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist Craig Mapstone. He’s a thoughtful, generous and kind soul, and though we’ve never met in person, I’m quite fond of him on both a personal and professional level. We’ve been following each other on social media since early 2021, and I’ve written about him and his music several times over the past five years. Unable to play gigs or socialize during the Covid pandemic, he decided to challenge himself to write and record a new original song every week for an entire year of 2021, which he accomplished! Four of his songs – “Something From Nothing/Points of Light” (2021), “Autumn Leaves” (2024), “Scars” (2025) and “Heather” (earlier this year) – have appeared on my chart.

His latest single “Five” is a heartfelt plea for us to be more kind and understanding to ourselves and each other during these troubled and highly divisive times. Mapstone elaborates: “Written during a time of overwhelming negativity, fear and aggression in Western politics, society, economics and international relations, ‘Five’ began life as a protest song, and ended up as a reminder to each of us to look after ourselves and each other. When the world gets too much the chorus reminds us to “take a breath, count to five” and to never give up hope that things will change for the better.” He no longer has his music on Spotify, so I’m featuring his YouTube video for the track, in which he appears both honest and vulnerable:

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

My Top 30 Songs for October 18-24, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's9 Comments
Photo of Fontaines D.C. from their Bandcamp account

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Top 30 Songs for October 11-17, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's6 Comments

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

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

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

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

My Top 30 Songs for October 4-10, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's12 Comments

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

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

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

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

My Top 30 Songs for March 8-14, 2026

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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

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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)

My Top 30 Songs for December 21-27, 2025

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There aren’t many changes to my chart for the final full week of 2025. Twenty One Pilots remain at #1 with “City Walls”, while Tame Impala‘s “Dracula” moves into second place and sombr‘s “12 to 12” moves up a notch to #3. English psychedelic alt-rock band Future Theory enter the top ten with “The Fear”.

Two songs – both of which have been around a while – finally enter my chart, starting with “Asking For A Friend” by venerable rock band Foo Fighters, coming in at #29. The second new entry is “Caramel” by English alternative metal rock band Sleep Token, who charted earlier in the year with their dramatically beautiful song “Emergence”. Both tracks are from their fourth studio album Even In Arcadia, released this past May.

  1. CITY WALLS – Twenty One Pilots (1)
  2. DRACULA – Tame Impala (3)
  3. 12 TO 12 – sombr (4)
  4. THE WEATHER – All Time Low (2)
  5. DOWNSTAIRS – Matt Maeson (5)
  6. THE FATE OF OPHELIA – Taylor Swift (6)
  7. ORDINARY CREATURE – Of Monsters and Men (7)
  8. SPECTER – Bad Omens (8)
  9. SO FAR SO FAKE – Pierce The Veil (12)
  10. THE FEAR – Future Theory (10)
  11. LUCY – Mt. Joy (11)
  12. GET THE MESSAGE – The Paradox (13)
  13. WATCH ME GO – Lord Huron (14)
  14. ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (17)
  15. REMEMBER US? – Two Feet (20)
  16. ANOTHER LIFE – Alabama Shakes (9)
  17. TANANA – Portugal. The Man (18)
  18. BY YOUR SIDE – Meltt (19)
  19. RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (21)
  20. MADALENA – Goose (22)
  21. INFINITE SOURCE – Deftones (23)
  22. WHITE HORSES – Wolf Alice (24)
  23. HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (25)
  24. STAY IN YOUR LANE – Courtney Barnett (26)
  25. ELEGANTLY WASTED – Hermanos Gutiérrez feat. Leon Bridges (15)
  26. ENSENADA – Sublime (16)
  27. WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (28)
  28. I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (29)
  29. ASKING FOR A FRIEND – Foo Fighters (N)
  30. CARAMEL – Sleep Token (N)

My Top 30 Songs for December 14-20, 2025

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's9 Comments
Photo of Twenty One Pilots from their Facebook account

It’s a particularly exciting chart this week as we approach the end of 2025, with a new #1 song and two fantastic new debuts, incidentally all by duo acts. Twenty One Pilots, my favorite music act for the past ten years, takes over the top spot with “City Walls”, marking their 14th song to top my chart, and their third this year alone, following “The Line” this past March and “The Contract” in August. Like “The Contract”, “City Walls” is from their eighth studio album Breach, which was released September 12th and serves as the final installment in their decade-long narrative arc explored by their previous albums Blurryface (2015), Trench (2018), Scaled and Icy (2021), and Clancy (2024).

(For those who’ve been living under a rock, Twenty One Pilots are based in Columbus, Ohio and consist of the dynamic duo of singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Tyler Joseph and power drummer Josh Dun. “City Walls” was written and produced by Joseph and his longtime collaborator Paul Meany, the lead singer and keyboardist for alternative rock project Mutemath, who opened for Twenty One Pilots on their Emotional Roadshow Tour that I saw in 2016.)

According to songsdiscussion.com, “‘City Walls’ delves into powerful themes of betrayal, reluctant leadership, and the immense psychological cost of rebellion, all set within the band’s established Dema and Trench narrative. The song’s core meaning centers on a protagonist who feels utterly abandoned by a trusted guide who was supposed to show him the way past the oppressive “city walls.” Now, he is forced to lead a dangerous and uncertain “breach” on his own, all while battling the severe fragmentation of his own mental state under the crushing weight of his new responsibility.“

The accompanying music video for the song, directed by Jensen Noen, runs for nearly ten minutes, making it the longest music video Twenty One Pilots have ever released. (The track itself is 5:22 minutes long.) Band frontman Tyler Joseph stated that the video serves as the proper conclusion to the story surrounding the conceptual city of “Dema”, a fictional location in the world of “Trench”, and its two central characters, Clancy (portrayed by Joseph) and Torchbearer (portrayed by drummer Josh Dun). With a production budget of $1 million, “City Walls” is one of the most expensive music videos of all time, as well as the second most expensive music video of the 2020s. Wikipedia

As I noted earlier, we have two marvelous new debuts, starting with “who’s your boyfriend” by Sydney, Australia-based duo Royel Otis. Comprised of Otis Pavlovic (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano) and Royel Maddell (lead guitar, backing vocals, bass, synthesizer), they’ve previously reached #1 twice on my chart, with “Murder on the Dancefloor” in 2024 and “moody” earlier this year. Like “moody”, “who’s your boyfriend” is from their third studio album hickey.

The second debut is “I’ve Got A Broken Heart”, the latest single by hyper-talented jangle pop-rock duo The Lemon Twigs. Based in Long Island, New York, they consist of brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario, both of whom are vocalists, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists. Their wonderful song “My Golden Years” reached #1 on my chart and ranks #5 on my Top 100 Songs of 2024 list (right behind “Murder on the Dancefloor”). “I’ve Got A Broken Heart” was released on November 25th as a double single also featuring “Friday (I’m Gonna Love You)”.

  1. CITY WALLS – Twenty One Pilots (2)
  2. THE WEATHER – All Time Low (1)
  3. DRACULA – Tame Impala (3)
  4. 12 TO 12 – sombr (10)
  5. DOWNSTAIRS – Matt Maeson (5)
  6. THE FATE OF OPHELIA – Taylor Swift (6)
  7. ORDINARY CREATURE – Of Monsters and Men (7)
  8. SPECTER – Bad Omens (9)
  9. ANOTHER LIFE – Alabama Shakes (4)
  10. SO FAR SO FAKE – Pierce The Veil (12)
  11. THE FEAR – Future Theory (13)
  12. LUCY – Mt. Joy (14)
  13. GET THE MESSAGE – The Paradox (15)
  14. WATCH ME GO – Lord Huron (16)
  15. ELEGANTLY WASTED – Hermanos Gutiérrez feat. Leon Bridges (8)
  16. ENSENADA – Sublime (11)
  17. ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (18)
  18. TANANA – Portugal. The Man (19)
  19. BY YOUR SIDE – Meltt (20)
  20. REMEMBER US? – Two Feet (21)
  21. RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (22)
  22. MADALENA – Goose (23)
  23. INFINITE SOURCE – Deftones (24)
  24. WHITE HORSES – Wolf Alice (25)
  25. HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (30)
  26. STAY IN YOUR LANE – Courtney Barnett (29)
  27. SUSHI AND COCA-COLA – St. Paul & The Broken Bones (17)
  28. WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (N)
  29. I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (N)
  30. DANG – Rainbow Kitten Surprise (28)