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)