Tag: Weezer

My Top 30 Songs for September 6-12, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's10 Comments
Sam Fender & Olivia Dean taken from the “Rein Me In” video

After several weeks of waiting in the wings, the gorgeous “Rein Me In” by English singer-songwriter Sam Fender and English singer-songwriter Olivia Dean (who won the Best New Artist Grammy earlier this year) ascends to the top of my chart. The song is a re-recorded duet version of the original from Fender’s third studio album People Watching. The original version of “Rein Me In” was released in June 2025 as the sixth single from the album and eventually became Fender’s first song to reach #1 on the UK Singles Chart in February 2026, as well as winning the Brit Award for Song of the Year. In addition to Fender and Dean’s great vocals, I love the beautiful piano, jangly guitar and blaring sax.

Fender debuted the new version during a show at London Stadium in June, bringing Dean on stage to perform it with him. Videos of that performance went viral, and the two performed it again nine days later at Fender’s St. James’ Park concert. Fender announced the official release of the new version on June 20th, stating that Dean “added a female perspective to ‘Rein Me In,’ and I think it’s all the better for it“. The original and duet versions ended up spending a combined 23 non-consecutive weeks at number one, making it the longest-running number-one single in UK music history. The song also topped the charts in Australia and Ireland and reached #2 in New Zealand. It became Fender’s first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 45. “Rein Me In” is his second song to reach #1 on my chart, the first being his 2021 single “Seventeen Going Under”.

In other chart developments of note, The Neighbourhood move into second place with “Private”, while Cage the Elephant‘s “Beaches In Tennessee” and Phoebe Bridgers‘ “Lost Boys” enter the top 10. The sole debut this week, entering at #28, is the enthralling “Marianne”, the new single from the always wonderful Irish rock band Fontaines D.C. The song is the lead single from their forthcoming fifth album Dopamine Chamber, set for release October 16th.

  1. REIN ME IN – Sam Fender & Olivia Dean (3)
  2. PRIVATE – The Neighbourhood (4)
  3. RAGING HALLS – Lyia Meta (1)
  4. DOORS – Noah Kahan (2)
  5. ONLINE – Western Jaguar (6)
  6. THE ENDLESS BORDER – Velvet Jesus (7)
  7. HEART STOP – The Revivalists (8)
  8. NO MORE REGRETS – almost monday (10)
  9. BEACHES IN TENNESSEE – Cage the Elephant (11)
  10. LOST BOYS – Phoebe Bridgers (12)
  11. REPEAT OFFENDER – Gloom is Okay (5)
  12. SELF AWARE – Temper City (9)
  13. FREAKING OUT – Michigander (14)
  14. HOLD ME IN THE DARK – Myles Smith (15)
  15. WE MIGHT AS WELL BE STRANGERS – Weezer feat. Wednesday (17)
  16. I CAN TAKE THE SUN OUT OF THE SKY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (19)
  17. STONE OVER WATER – Death Cab for Cutie (20)
  18. PICKING DRAGON’S POCKETS – Modest Mouse (13)
  19. WE SHOULD TALK – Bleachers (18)
  20. I FEEL HOPE COMING – Alabama Shakes (23)
  21. LOVE ME NOT – Grace Potter (16)
  22. EVERGREEN – Young the Giant 24)
  23. EDGE OF THE EARTH – The Beaches (25)
  24. BEHIND THE LINES OF REASON – Hardwicke Circus (26)
  25. LOSER – Tame Impala (27)
  26. WINDOW – Foo Fighters (29)
  27. METASTASIZED – Bealby Point (30)
  28. MARIANNE – Fontaines D.C. (N)
  29. EXIT WOUND – Ships Have Sailed (21)
  30. MARATHONS – Sorry Ghost (22)

My Top 30 Songs for August 30-September 5, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's9 Comments
Photo of Lyia and Cha Cha Girl taken from her Facefook account

“Raging Halls” by Malaysian singer-songwriter extraordinaire Lyia Meta remains atop my chart for a second week, while American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan moves into second place with “Doors”. Entering the top 10 is “no more regrets” by San Diego, California-based indie pop band almost monday.

There are three new additions to my chart this week, starting with “Loser” by Australian act Tame Impala, the music project of singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Parker. The song, which debuts at #27, was actually released last September (2025) as the second single from Tame Impala’s fifth album Deadbeat, which dropped a month later, but as with The Beaches’ “Edge of the Earth” is currently appearing on various alternative charts (which heavily influence my own chart). His single “Dracula” spent three weeks at the top of my chart at the beginning of this year.

Entering at #29 is “Window” by legendary American rock band the Foo Fighters. The song is from their 12th studio album Your Favorite Toy, released this past April. And coming in at #30 is “Metastasized”, the latest single by Vancouver, Canada-based indie pop-rock band Bealby Point, who currently consist of Jack Armstrong (lead vocals, guitar), Jordan Studer (bass) and Zack Yeager (drums). I’ve been a big fan of theirs since learning about them in 2021, and have featured them several times on this blog. “Metastasized” will be included on their forthcoming debut album Happiness Frontier.

  1. RAGING HALLS – Lyia Meta (1)
  2. DOORS – Noah Kahan (3)
  3. REIN ME IN – Sam Fender & Olivia Dean (4)
  4. PRIVATE – The Neighbourhood (5)
  5. REPEAT OFFENDER – Gloom is Okay (2)
  6. ONLINE – Western Jaguar (7)
  7. THE ENDLESS BORDER – Velvet Jesus (8)
  8. HEART STOP – The Revivalists (10)
  9. SELF AWARE – Temper City (6)
  10. NO MORE REGRETS – almost monday (11)
  11. BEACHES IN TENNESSEE – Cage the Elephant (12)
  12. LOST BOYS – Phoebe Bridgers (13)
  13. PICKING DRAGONS’ POCKETS – Modest Mouse (9)
  14. FREAKING OUT – Michigander (16)
  15. HOLD ME IN THE DARK – Myles Smith (17)
  16. LOVE ME NOT – Grace Potter (18)
  17. WE MIGHT AS WELL BE STRANGERS – Weezer feat. Wednesday (19)
  18. WE SHOULD TALK – Bleachers (20)
  19. I CAN TAKE THE SUN OUT OF THE SKY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (21)
  20. STONE OVER WATER – Death Cab for Cutie (22)
  21. EXIT WOUND – Ships Have Sailed (14)
  22. MARATHONS – Sorry Ghost (15)
  23. I FEEL HOPE COMING – Alabama Shakes (26)
  24. EVERGREEN – Young the Giant 28)
  25. EDGE OF THE EARTH – The Beaches (29)
  26. BEHIND THE LINES OF REASON – Hardwicke Circus (30)
  27. LOSER – Tame Impala (N)
  28. IN THE STARS – The Rolling Stones (25)
  29. WINDOW – Foo Fighters (N)
  30. METASTASIZED – Bealby Point (N)

My Top 30 Songs for August 23-29, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's6 Comments
Photo of Lyia Meta taken from her Facebook account.

Malaysian artist Lyia Meta is a highly accomplished, award-winning and Grammy-nominated Renaissance woman in every sense of the word. She’s not only an insanely talented singer, songwriter and musician, she’s also a writer, teacher, vocal coach and visual artist whose work spans multiple media formats (she surprised me with a pencil-drawn portrait of myself in 2019, which I proudly hang on my bedroom wall).

Possessing a rich contralto singing voice, she’s recorded songs across a wide range of genres including blues, jazz, pop, country, rock and metal. She ranks among my favorite female vocalists, and I’ve featured her numerous times on this blog. We’ve been following each other on social media since 2018, and I finally had the pleasure of meeting Lyia and her husband Zack in person in January when they were in Los Angeles. I’m now thrilled to place her powerful single “Raging Halls” at #1, her first song to top my chart and on the week of my birthday, no less!

The hard-hitting song was co-written by Lyia and E.G. Holmes, who co-produced the track with her longtime Nashville-based collaborator Bob McGilpin (who also played lead and rhythm guitar, bass, drums and synths). Additional contributions on the track include rhythm guitar by Christian Wentz, guitar and synths by John Foster, orchestration and keyboards by Gene Rabbai and backing harmonies by Lisa Brokop. Lyia says the song “explores the tension between desire, risk, and the moment where hesitation transforms into action.” With its soaring melodies and scorching riffs, the song calls to mind some of the great 80s anthems by Journey, Heart and Whitesnake.

Two songs enter the top 10: the captivating “The Endless Border” by Belgian alternative indie rock band Velvet Jesus, advancing three spots to #8, and “Heart Stop” by New Orleans-based alternative roots rock band The Revivalists, which moves up two spots to #10.

There are three new debuts this week, beginning with “Evergreen” by Southern California-based alternative pop rock band Young the Giant. Formed in Irvine, California in 2004, they currently consist of Sameer Gadhia (lead vocals), Jacob Tilley (guitar), Eric Cannata (guitar), Payam Doostzadeh (bass), and Francois Comtois (drums). “Evergreen” is from their sixth album Victory Garden, released on May 1st, and follows “Different Kind of Love”, which peaked at #4 on my chart in early June. It’s hard to believe it’s been seven years since I saw them in concert in 2019.

Entering at #29 is “Edge of the Earth” by Canadian female pop rock band The Beaches. Formed in Toronto in 2009, they’re comprised of sisters Jordan (lead vocals, bass) and Kylie Miller (guitar, backing vocals), Leandra Earl (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals), and Eliza Enman-McDaniel (drums). “Edge of the Earth” was originally released nearly three years ago as the title track of their six-song EP, which also included their marvelous hit single “Blame Brett” that reached #5 on my chart and ranks #46 on my 100 Best Songs of 2024 list. It’s currently moving up the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart (I’m even hearing it played on my local alt-rock station here in Palm Springs), so I’m guessing it went viral on TikTok or similar.

The third new entry is the exuberant “Behind The Lines Of Reason” by the charismatic English alternative indie rock band Hardwicke Circus. Formed in 2015, the band has undergone a few changes in lineup and is now comprised of brothers Jonny (lead vocals, guitar) and Tom Foster (drums, backing vocals), along with Ben Wilde (bass, backing vocals), Zack McDade (lead guitar, backing vocals), Conor Morrissey (keyboards, backing vocals) and Andy Sax (saxophone, backing vocals). I reviewed their marvelous 2023 album Fly the Flag and am happy to see them back with “Behind The Lines Of Reason”, which dropped July 17th.

  1. RAGING HALLS – Lyia Meta (2)
  2. REPEAT OFFENDER – Gloom is Okay (1)
  3. DOORS – Noah Kahan (3)
  4. REIN ME IN – Sam Fender & Olivia Dean (4)
  5. PRIVATE – The Neighbourhood (5)
  6. SELF AWARE – Temper City (6)
  7. ONLINE – Western Jaguar (8)
  8. THE ENDLESS BORDER – Velvet Jesus (11)
  9. PICKING DRAGONS’ POCKETS – Modest Mouse (9)
  10. HEART STOP – The Revivalists (12)
  11. NO MORE REGRETS – almost monday (13)
  12. BEACHES IN TENNESSEE – Cage the Elephant (17)
  13. LOST BOYS – Phoebe Bridgers (18)
  14. EXIT WOUND – Ships Have Sailed (7)
  15. MARATHONS – Sorry Ghost (10)
  16. FREAKING OUT – Michigander (20)
  17. HOLD ME IN THE DARK – Myles Smith (21)
  18. LOVE ME NOT – Grace Potter (22)
  19. WE MIGHT AS WELL BE STRANGERS – Weezer feat. Wednesday (23)
  20. WE SHOULD TALK – Bleachers (24)
  21. I CAN TAKE THE SUN OUT OF THE SKY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (25)
  22. STONE OVER WATER – Death Cab for Cutie (26)
  23. WHO WILL YOU FOLLOW – Evanescence (14)
  24. GO FUCK URSELF – Fat Dog (15)
  25. IN THE STARS – The Rolling Stones (16)
  26. I FEEL HOPE COMING – Alabama Shakes (30)
  27. HOMEWRECKER – sombr (19) 20th week on chart
  28. EVERGREEN – Young the Giant (N)
  29. EDGE OF THE EARTH – The Beaches (N)
  30. BEHIND THE LINES OF REASON – Hardwicke Circus (N)

My Top 30 Songs for August 16-22, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's3 Comments
Photo of Gloom is Okay by Arran Dawson Media

Scottish rock band Gloom is Okay hold the top spot for a second week with their exquisite “Repeat Offender”, while Malaysian artist extraordinaire Lyia Meta moves into second place with her powerful anthem “Raging Halls”. She just released another great single “For You” a week ago. “Doors” by Noah Kahan advances a spot to #3, and “Rein Me In” by English singer-songwriters Sam Fender and Olivia Dean, and “Private” by LA-based alt rock band The Neighbourhood, each move up two spots to #4 and #5, respectively.

After five debut songs last week, I have only one new addition to my chart this week: “I Feel Hope Coming” by Southern blues rock band Alabama Shakes. Fronted by powerhouse vocalist and guitarist Brittany Howard, the group also includes guitarist Heath Fogg and bassist Zac Cockrell. The song is the third in a series of singles they’ve been releasing over the past year that began last August with “Another Life”, which spent two weeks at #1 on my chart last November. All will be included on their forthcoming third album I Must Be Dreaming, to be released August 28th.

  1. REPEAT OFFENDER – Gloom is Okay (1)
  2. RAGING HALLS – Lyia Meta (3)
  3. DOORS – Noah Kahan (4)
  4. REIN ME IN – Sam Fender & Olivia Dean (6)
  5. PRIVATE – The Neighbourhood (7)
  6. SELF AWARE – Temper City (2)
  7. EXIT WOUND – Ships Have Sailed (5)
  8. ONLINE – Western Jaguar (9)
  9. PICKING DRAGONS’ POCKETS – Modest Mouse (8)
  10. MARATHONS – Sorry Ghost (10) 
  11. THE ENDLESS BORDER – Velvet Jesus (14)
  12. HEART STOP – The Revivalists (15)
  13. NO MORE REGRETS – almost monday (17)
  14. WHO WILL YOU FOLLOW – Evanescence (13)
  15. GO FUCK URSELF – Fat Dog (12)
  16. IN THE STARS – The Rolling Stones (16)
  17. BEACHES IN TENNESSEE – Cage the Elephant (21)
  18. LOST BOYS – Phoebe Bridgers (23)
  19. HOMEWRECKER – sombr (11)
  20. FREAKING OUT – Michigander (22)
  21. HOLD ME IN THE DARK – Myles Smith (24)
  22. LOVE ME NOT – Grace Potter (26)
  23. WE MIGHT AS WELL BE STRANGERS – Weezer feat. Wednesday (27)
  24. WE SHOULD TALK – Bleachers (28)
  25. I CAN TAKE THE SUN OUT OF THE SKY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (29)
  26. STONE OVER WATER – Death Cab for Cutie (30)
  27. GOOD2B – Goose (18)
  28. GOING SHOPPING – The Strokes (20)
  29. FREAKIN’ OUT – Dexter and The Moonrocks (19)
  30. I FEEL HOPE COMING – Alabama Shakes (N)

My Top 30 Songs for August 9-15, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's5 Comments
Photo of Gloom is Okay by Arran Dawson Media

It isn’t often I’m blown away the first time I hear a song, but I have to say that’s what I experienced when I first listened to “Repeat Offender” by Scottish alternative metal band Gloom is Okay, as I was immediately stunned by its dramatic beauty, intricate melody and sonic majesty. Based in Glasgow, Gloom is Okay is comprised of frontman Martin Walker (vocals, guitars, synths, programming) Iain MacLeod (bass) and Mark Norris (drums). “Repeat Offender” is the lead single from their forthcoming debut album Nothing Human.

Walker says the song is essentially about dealing with narcissistic people, and the mask worn by Fiona McNeil in the video was sculpted and moulded by his wife. He states “We wanted something that felt human, but not quite. Familiar enough to recognise, uncomfortable enough to remember.” The song also represents a bit of a directional change for the band, in that Walker’s voice takes center stage. He elaborates “I’ve never been a particularly confident singer. In fact, for most of my life I’ve probably thought of myself as a guitarist who happened to sing occasionally. Putting your voice out there is a strange thing. It’s personal in a way that hiding behind a riff or a wall of guitars never is.” I think his commanding vocals are perfect, and the song ascends to the top of my chart this week.

Entering the top 10 are “Online” by Canadian artist Western Jaguar (aka singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jeffrey Trainor) and “Marathons” by the irrepressively charming four-piece Sorry Ghost, who are based in Los Angeles.

After several relatively quiet weeks, I have five new additions to my chart, beginning with “Love Me Not” by singer-songwriter and musician Grace Potter. Born in Vermont and now based near Los Angeles, the beguiling Potter has released five solo albums, as well as four studio albums with Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, (a band she formed in 2002 which later disbanded in 2015 upon her divorce from her bandmate and former husband Matt Burr). Boisterous, sexy and raw, “Love Me Not” is the lead single from her forthcoming sixth album Trespasser, set for release August 21st.

Entering at #27 is “We Might as Well Be Strangers” by legendary LA-based alternative power pop band Weezer, featuring added vocals by Karly Hartzman and Xandy Chelmis of North Carolina-based alt rock band Wednesday. Since 2001, Weezer has consisted of Rivers Cuomo (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Patrick Wilson (drums), Brian Bell (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), and Scott Shriner (bass, keyboards, backing vocals). Released on June 3rd, the song is the second single from their forthcoming 20th album Weezer (aka The Gold Album).

Next up is “we should talk” by American alt-rock band Bleachers. Formed in 2013 by singer-songwriter, musician and producer Jack Antonoff, the band since 2023 has included Mikey Freedom Hart, Sean Hutchinson, Evan Smith, Michael Riddleberger, and Zem Audu, all longtime touring musicians who are now official members. “we should talk” is from their sixth album Everyone for Ten Minutes, which dropped in May. I love that nifty little bassline.

The fourth new entry, at #29, is the exuberant “I Can Take the Sun Out of the Sky” by Chicago-based alt rock band Brigitte Calls Me Baby, comprised of Wes Leavins (lead vocals), Jack Fluegel (guitars), Devin Wessels (bass) and Jeremy Benshish (drums). The song is from their second album Irreversible, released this past March, which also features their marvelous single “Slumber Party” that went all the way to #1 on my chart in early June. I’m really liking this band!

Last, but certainly not least, is “Stone Over Water” by indie pop-rock band Death Cab for Cutie. Formed nearly 30 years ago in Bellingham, Washington, the group includes Ben Gibbard (vocals, guitar, piano), Nick Harmer (bass), Dave Depper (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), Zac Rae (keyboards, guitar), and Jason McGerr (drums). The song is from their 11th album I Built You a Tower, which dropped in June and was inspired by band frontman Ben Gibbard’s experiences dealing with the end of his marriage while also constantly being on tour. The song replaces their previous single “Riptides”, which drops off my chart after spending 18 weeks, two of them at #1.

  1. REPEAT OFFENDER – Gloom is Okay (3)
  2. SELF AWARE – Temper City (1)
  3. RAGING HALLS – Lyia Meta (4)
  4. DOORS – Noah Kahan (5)
  5. EXIT WOUND – Ships Have Sailed (2)
  6. REIN ME IN – Sam Fender & Olivia Dean (7)
  7. PRIVATE – The Neighbourhood (8)
  8. PICKING DRAGONS’ POCKETS – Modest Mouse (10)
  9. ONLINE – Western Jaguar (12)
  10. MARATHONS – Sorry Ghost (13) 
  11. HOMEWRECKER – sombr (6)
  12. GO FUCK URSELF – Fat Dog (15)
  13. WHO WILL YOU FOLLOW – Evanescence (16)
  14. THE ENDLESS BORDER – Velvet Jesus (18)
  15. HEART STOP – The Revivalists (19)
  16. IN THE STARS – The Rolling Stones (20)
  17. NO MORE REGRETS – almost monday (21)
  18. GOOD2B – Goose (11)
  19. FREAKIN’ OUT – Dexter and The Moonrocks (9)
  20. GOING SHOPPING – The Strokes (14)
  21. BEACHES IN TENNESSEE – Cage the Elephant (25)
  22. FREAKING OUT – Michigander (24)
  23. LOST BOYS – Phoebe Bridgers (30)
  24. HOLD ME IN THE DARK – Myles Smith (26)
  25. HEADLIGHTS – In Color (17)
  26. LOVE ME NOT – Grace Potter (N)
  27. WE MIGHT AS WELL BE STRANGERS – Weezer feat. Wednesday (N)
  28. WE SHOULD TALK – Bleachers (N)
  29. I CAN TAKE THE SUN OUT OF THE SKY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (N)
  30. STONE OVER WATER – Death Cab for Cutie (N)

Top 30 Songs for August 14-20, 2022

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's4 Comments

Lizzo remains at #1 for a second week on my latest Weekly Top 30 with her infectious dance song “About Damn Time”, while The Frontier‘s delightful “Closer” and YUNGBLUD‘s wonderfully frantic “The Funeral” both move up a notch to #2 and #3. respectively. Climbing four spots to enter the top 10 at #10 is the darkly beautiful “Failure to Comply” by MISSIO. Some big upward movers this week include “Lemon Tree” by Mt. Joy, which jumps eight spots to #12, “Viva Las Vengeance” by Panic! At the Disco, climbing seven spots to #17, and “Break My Soul” by Beyoncé, which leaps 10 spots to #18. Making their debut this week are terrific new songs by three great pop-rock bands: “Here to Forever” by Death Cab For Cutie, “Part of the Band” by The 1975, and “Seasick” by The Rare Occasions, which enter at #s 28, 29 and 30.

  1. ABOUT DAMN TIME – Lizzo (1)
  2. CLOSER – The Frontier (3)
  3. THE FUNERAL – YUNGBLUD (4)
  4. MISTAKES – Sharon Van Etten (5)
  5. UNTIL I FOUND YOU – Stephen Sanchez (6)
  6. UNCONDITIONAL I (LOOKOUT KID) – Arcade Fire (2)
  7. BROKEN RECORD – NAVE (9)
  8. SUPERMODEL – Måneskin (10)
  9. SYNCHRONIZE – Milky Chance (7)
  10. FAILURE TO COMPLY – MISSIO (14)
  11. IN THE MIRROR – The Interrupters (8)
  12. LEMON TREE – Mt. Joy (20)
  13. WARNING SIGNS – Band of Horses (11)
  14. LIN MANUEL – Onism E (16)
  15. BONES – Imagine Dragons (17)
  16. DESPERATELY WANTING – The Star Crumbles (15)
  17. VIVA LAS VENGEANCE – Panic! At the Disco (24)
  18. BREAK MY SOUL – Beyoncé (28)
  19. TEK IT – Cafuné (21)
  20. GREY – Holy Coves (22)
  21. SIDELINES – Phoebe Bridgers (26)
  22. SEVENTEEN GOING UNDER – Sam Fender (12)
  23. COMPLIANCE – Muse (27)
  24. A LITTLE BIT OF LOVE – Weezer (13)
  25. AS IT WAS – Harry Styles (19)
  26. WHAT’S THE TRICK? – Jack White (29)
  27. PLEASE WRITE RESPONSIBLY – Granfalloon (30)
  28. HERE TO FOREVER – Death Cab For Cutie (N)
  29. PART OF THE BAND – The 1975 (N)
  30. SEASICK – The Rare Occasions (N)

Top 30 Songs for August 7-13, 2022

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's11 Comments

I’m thrilled to place Lizzo‘s infectious feel-good single “About Damn Time” at #1 on my latest Weekly Top 30. I love a good dance song, and with its funky bass-driven groove, “About Damn Time” fits the bill quite nicely. From her fourth album Special, it’s her first song to top my chart, and her second to top the Billboard Hot 100. Born Melissa Jefferson in Detroit, the 34-year-old singer has already had an interesting life. After moving with her family to Houston when she was 10, Lizzo began studying the flute with renowned music teacher Claudia Momen. She also started rapping in her early teens, and formed a musical group called Cornrow Clique with her friends, at which time she acquired the nickname “Lizzo”. After graduating from high school, she studied classical music with a concentration on flute at the University of Houston, but by 21, was living out of her car for a year while trying to break into the music industry. She released two studio albums, Lizzobangers in 2013 and Big Grrrl Small World in 2015, but neither charted. Lizzo finally achieved breakthrough success in 2019 with her single “Truth Hurts” after it was featured in the Netflix film Someone Great. The song became a viral sleeper hit, reaching #1 two years after its initial release. Lizzo’s life-long struggles with her weight have led her to become a fearless advocate for body positivity and self-love.

In other chart highlights, “Closer” by The Frontier and “The Funeral” by YUNGBLUD, hold at #3 and #4, and “Mistakes” by Sharon Van Etten climbs four spots to #5. Entering the top 10 are “Until I Found You” by Stephen Sanchez, which jumps six spots to #6, “Broken Record” by NAVE, up seven spots to #9, and “SUPERMODEL” by Måneskin, which leaps 10 spots to #10.

I wanted to add at least six new songs to my chart this week, but had room for only these three, each of which could not be more different from one another: “BREAK MY SOUL” by Beyoncé, “What’s the Trick?” by Jack White, and “Please Write Responsibly” by British artist Granfalloon, the music project of talented singer-songwriter Richard Lomax, making his first appearance on my chart.

  1. ABOUT DAMN TIME – Lizzo (2)
  2. UNCONDITIONAL I (LOOKOUT KID) – Arcade Fire (1)
  3. CLOSER – The Frontier (3)
  4. THE FUNERAL – YUNGBLUD (4)
  5. MISTAKES – Sharon Van Etten (9)
  6. UNTIL I FOUND YOU – Stephen Sanchez (12)
  7. SYNCHRONIZE – Milky Chance (7)
  8. IN THE MIRROR – The Interrupters (8)
  9. BROKEN RECORD – NAVE (16)
  10. SUPERMODEL – Måneskin (20)
  11. WARNING SIGNS – Band of Horses (10)
  12. SEVENTEEN GOING UNDER – Sam Fender (5)
  13. A LITTLE BIT OF LOVE – Weezer (6)
  14. FAILURE TO COMPLY – MISSIO (19)
  15. DESPERATELY WANTING – The Star Crumbles (17)
  16. LIN MANUEL – Onism E (18)
  17. BONES – Imagine Dragons (22)
  18. TELL ME THE TRUTH – Two Feet (11)
  19. AS IT WAS – Harry Styles (14)
  20. LEMON TREE – Mt. Joy (24)
  21. TEK IT – Cafuné (25)
  22. GREY – Holy Coves (23)
  23. BELIEVE – Caamp (13)
  24. VIVA LAS VENGEANCE – Panic! At the Disco (28)
  25. THE FOUNDATIONS OF DECAY – My Chemical Romance (15)
  26. SIDELINES – Phoebe Bridgers (30)
  27. COMPLIANCE – Muse (29)
  28. BREAK MY SOUL – Beyoncé (N)
  29. WHAT’S THE TRICK? – Jack White (N)
  30. PLEASE WRITE RESPONSIBLY – Granfalloon (N)

Top 30 Songs for July 31-August 6, 2022

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's5 Comments
Photo by María José Govea

While the top two songs on my latest Weekly Top 30 – Arcade Fire‘s “Unconditional I (Lookout Kid)” and Lizzo‘s “About Damn Time” – remain in place for a second week, there are lots of changes to the rest of the list. Several songs fall out of the top 10, including Harry Styles‘ “As It Was” after a 15-week run in that rarefied group, clearing the way for a newer crop of songs to move up. Jumping seven spots to #3 is “Closer”, by The Frontier (the music project of the very gracious, funny and talented Northern Virginia-based Jake Mimikos). We’ve followed one another on social media for over six years, and I’m quite fond of both him and his music. Entering the top 10 are: “The Funeral” by YUNGBLUD, which leaps eight spots to #4, “In the Mirror” by The Interrupters, climbing five spots to #8, “Mistakes” by Sharon Van Etten, up six spots to #9, and “Warning Signs” by Band of Horses, which moves up four spots to #10.

Other big movers this week are Stephen Sanchez, with his stunning retro love ballad “Until I Found You”, which leaps 10 spots to #12, and British artist NAVE, whose hauntingly beautiful “Broken Record” climbs five spots to #16. Two songs make their debut this week, “Viva Las Vengeance” by Panic! At the Disco (which recently spent three weeks at #1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart, and took a while to click with me) at #28, and “Sidelines” by Phoebe Bridgers, which enters at #30.

  1. UNCONDITIONAL I (LOOKOUT KID) – Arcade Fire (1)
  2. ABOUT DAMN TIME – Lizzo (2)
  3. CLOSER – The Frontier (10)
  4. THE FUNERAL – YUNGBLUD (12)
  5. SEVENTEEN GOING UNDER – Sam Fender (3)
  6. A LITTLE BIT OF LOVE – Weezer (5)
  7. SYNCHRONIZE – Milky Chance (8)
  8. IN THE MIRROR – The Interrupters (13)
  9. MISTAKES – Sharon Van Etten (15)
  10. WARNING SIGNS – Band of Horses (14)
  11. TELL ME THE TRUTH – Two Feet (5)
  12. UNTIL I FOUND YOU – Stephen Sanchez (22)
  13. BELIEVE – Caamp (6)
  14. AS IT WAS – Harry Styles (7)
  15. THE FOUNDATIONS OF DECAY – My Chemical Romance (9)
  16. BROKEN RECORD – NAVE (21)
  17. DESPERATELY WANTING – The Star Crumbles (18)
  18. LIN MANUEL – Onism E (19)
  19. FAILURE TO COMPLY – MISSIO (20)
  20. SUPERMODEL – Måneskin (23)
  21. LONELY – Sea Girls (11)
  22. BONES – Imagine Dragons (24)
  23. GREY – Holy Coves (25)
  24. LEMON TREE – Mt. Joy (28)
  25. TEK IT – Cafuné (29)
  26. 2am – Foals (16)
  27. MY LOVE – Florence + the Machine (17)
  28. VIVA LAS VENGEANCE – Panic! At the Disco (N)
  29. COMPLIANCE – Muse (30)
  30. SIDELINES – Phoebe Bridgers (N)

Top 30 Songs for July 24-30, 2022

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's13 Comments
Photo by María José Govea

My new favorite song this week is the uplifting and poignant “Unconditional I (Lookout Kid” by Canadian art-rock band Arcade Fire. Released in late April, it’s the second single from their sixth studio album WE. About the song, band front man Win Butler told Pitchfork “‘Lookout Kid’” is a reminder, a lullaby for the end times, sung to my son, but for everyone…. Trust your heart, trust your mind, trust your body, trust your soul. Shit is going to get worse before it gets better, but it always gets better, and no one’s perfect.” The video, produced by Ben Matheny and Nathan Harrison, and directed by Benh Zeitlin, is delightful.

Singer-songwriter and rapper Lizzo advances to #2 with her feel-good dance song “About Damn Time”. Debuting this week at #s 28-30 are “Lemon Tree” by L.A.-based alternative/indie folk rock band Mt. Joy“, “Tek It” by Brooklyn-based electro-pop duo Cafuné, and “Compliance” by British alt-rock band Muse.

  1. UNCONDITIONAL I (LOOKOUT KID) – Arcade Fire (2)
  2. ABOUT DAMN TIME – Lizzo (3)
  3. SEVENTEEN GOING UNDER – Sam Fender (1)
  4. A LITTLE BIT OF LOVE – Weezer (6)
  5. TELL ME THE TRUTH – Two Feet (4)
  6. BELIEVE – Caamp (5)
  7. AS IT WAS – Harry Styles (8)
  8. SYNCHRONIZE – Milky Chance (10)
  9. THE FOUNDATIONS OF DECAY – My Chemical Romance (11)
  10. CLOSER – The Frontier (12)
  11. LONELY – Sea Girls (13)
  12. THE FUNERAL – YUNGBLUD (14)
  13. IN THE MIRROR – The Interrupters (15)
  14. WARNING SIGNS – Band of Horses (16)
  15. MISTAKES – Sharon Van Etten (17)
  16. 2am – Foals (7)
  17. MY LOVE – Florence + the Machine (9)
  18. DESPERATELY WANTING – Brian Lambert & Marc Schuster (20)
  19. LIN MANUEL – Onism E (21)
  20. FAILURE TO COMPLY – MISSIO (22)
  21. BROKEN RECORD – NAVE (23)
  22. UNTIL I FOUND YOU – Stephen Sanchez (25)
  23. SUPERMODEL – Måneskin (26)
  24. BONES – Imagine Dragons (29)
  25. GREY – Holy Coves (30)
  26. WILD CHILD – The Black Keys (19)
  27. CHASING TRAINS – HULLAH (18) 20th week on list
  28. LEMON TREE – Mt. Joy (N)
  29. TEK IT – Cafuné (N)
  30. COMPLIANCE – Muse (N)

Top 30 Songs for July 17-23, 2022

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews7 Comments

There’s so much great music out now, I have at least 50 songs I’d like to put on my Weekly Top 30. “Seventeen Going Under” by Sam Fender remains at #1 for a second week. Closing in at #2 is Arcade Fire‘s heartwarming ““Unconditional I (Lookout Kid)”, while Lizzo slides into the #3 spot with her funk-pop earworm “About Damn Time”. German alt-rock band Milky Chance enter the top 10 with their cool song “Synchronize”. For some reason I cannot fathom, the song has not been anywhere near as popular as their previous single “Colorado”, even though I think it’s a better song.

Two songs make their debut this week: “Bones” by Imagine Dragons and “Grey” by Welsh rock band Holy Coves. While I’m a fan of Imagine Dragons, I didn’t care for their previous single “Enemy”, a massive hit now in it’s 35th week in the top 40 of the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart, nine of them at #1, but I do like “Bones” a lot. (“Enemy” and “Bones” currently hold the #4 and #5 spots on the Alternative chart.) I’ve resisted putting “Bones” on my chart for the past several weeks, but it’s just too damn infectious! “Grey” is the second song by Holy Coves to appear on my Weekly Top 30; their single “The Hurt Within” spent 11 weeks on my list this past Spring.

  1. SEVENTEEN GOING UNDER – Sam Fender (1)
  2. UNCONDITIONAL I (LOOKOUT KID) – Arcade Fire (3)
  3. ABOUT DAMN TIME – Lizzo (5)
  4. TELL ME THE TRUTH – Two Feet (2)
  5. BELIEVE – Caamp (4)
  6. A LITTLE BIT OF LOVE – Weezer (6)
  7. 2am – Foals (9)
  8. AS IT WAS – Harry Styles (8)
  9. MY LOVE – Florence + the Machine (7)
  10. SYNCHRONIZE – Milky Chance (12)
  11. THE FOUNDATIONS OF DECAY – My Chemical Romance (13)
  12. CLOSER – The Frontier (14)
  13. LONELY – Sea Girls (15)
  14. THE FUNERAL – YUNGBLUD (17)
  15. IN THE MIRROR – The Interrupters (18)
  16. WARNING SIGNS – Band of Horses (19)
  17. MISTAKES – Sharon Van Etten (21)
  18. CHASING TRAINS – HULLAH (10) 19th week on list
  19. WILD CHILD – The Black Keys (11)
  20. DESPERATELY WANTING – Brian Lambert & Marc Schuster (22)
  21. LIN MANUEL – Onism E (23)
  22. FAILURE TO COMPLY – MISSIO (25)
  23. BROKEN RECORD – NAVE (27)
  24. BLOODRUSH – The Amazons (16)
  25. UNTIL I FOUND YOU – Stephen Sanchez (29)
  26. SUPERMODEL – Måneskin (30)
  27. BEDS ARE BURNING – AWOLNATION feat. Tim McIlrath (20)
  28. LOVE BRAND NEW – Bob Moses (26) 21st week on list
  29. BONES – Imagine Dragons (N)
  30. GREY – Holy Coves (N)