Photo of The Neighbourhood from their Facebook account
It’s a fairly quiet week for my latest chart, as The Neighbourhood remain on top with their charming “Hula Girl” and there are no new entries (though 16 “new” songs entered my chart over the previous five weeks). MISSIO move into second place with their exhilarating “I Remember When”, Twenty One Pilots‘ “Drag Path” jumps four spots to #6 and “The Old Law” by Father John Misty moves up a spot to enter the top 10 at #10. The song is the highest-charting for him, as well as his first to appear on my chart. And because there are no new debuts, nor did I want to drop any songs from my chart, the songs at numbers 25-30 remain stuck in place. That’s certainly no reflection on their quality, as they’ll all be rising in the coming weeks.
HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (1)
I REMEMBER WHEN – MISSIO (3)
THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (2)
DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (4)
YOU GOT TO LOSE – The Black Keys (5)
DRAG PATH – Twenty One Pilots (10)
WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (7)
SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (8)
SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (9)
THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (11)
LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (6)
BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (15)
LOOK OUT FOR ME – Turnstile (16)
DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE – Young the Giant (17)
YOUR FAVORITE TOY – Foo Fighters (18)
HEAVY FOOT – Mon Rovîa (21)
STARLIGHT – Cannons (19)
BURN FOR YOU RMX – Between Daze (20)
FOOL’S GOLD – Buffalo Traffic Jam (22)
SITE UNSEEN – Courtney Barnett featuring Waxahatchee (23)
Photo of The Neighbourhood from their Facebook account
The Neighbourhood take over the top spot on this week’s chart with their captivating “Hula Girl”. The song is from their fifth studio album (((((ultraSOUND))))), released last November. I’ve been a big fan of this Los Angeles-based alt-rock group since first hearing their song “Sweater Weather” back in the summer of 2013 (it became my favorite song of 2013 and 4th favorite song of the 2010s). Formed in 2011, the band still consists of all five original members: heavily-tattooed vocalist Jesse Rutherford, guitarists Jeremy Freedman and Zach Abels, bassist Mikey Margott and drummer Brandon Fried, and I’m happy they’re still putting out exceptional music. In March they embarked on a worldwide tour which will conclude in their hometown of Los Angeles in December. “Hula Girl” is their third song to top my chart, after the aforementioned “Sweater Weather” and “Stargazing” in 2021.
I’m not wild about the official video so am sharing the lyric video instead:
In other chart developments of note, “I Remember When” by Austin, Texas-based duo MISSIO advances two spots to #3, while “Slumber Party” by Chicago-based alt-rock band Brigitte Calls Me Baby enters the top 10 at #9, and “Drag Path” by Columbus, Ohio duo Twenty One Pilots rises three spots to #10.
Three songs make their debut this week, starting with “Headlights” by Nashville-based alternative pop band In Color, entering at #28. Formed in 2024, the band is comprised of Holden Clontz, Matthew Hastings, Val Hoyt and Miles Laderman. Inspired by an eclectic array of acts ranging from The Beatles, U2 and Coldplay to Michael Jackson, Kings of Leon and Switchfoot, they released their debut single “Headlights” on Valentine’s Day 2025. They followed with several more singles as well as an EP Snow Day, that October. They’ve continued releasing more singles, but as so often happens these days, “Headlights” went viral on social media and has now amassed nearly 13 million streams on Spotify alone.
The second new entry is the darkly beautiful “Dying To Love” by American alternative metalcore band Bad Omens. Formed in Richmond, Virginia in 2015, the band presently consists of vocalist and producer Noah Sebastian, guitarist Nicholas Ruffilo, guitarist and producer Joakim “Jolly” Karlsson and drummer Nick Folio. The song is their third to appear on my chart, following “THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND” in 2023 and “Specter” in late 2025/early 2026, both reaching the top 10.
The third debut is “Homewrecker”, the latest single by New York-based artist sombr, who over the past year has already scored three #1 songs on my chart: “back to friends” (my #1 song of 2025), “undressed” and “12 to 12”, which recently spent five weeks at #1. He put on a great show at Coachella yesterday, which I livestreamed on YouTube.
HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (2)
THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (1)
I REMEMBER WHEN – MISSIO (5)
DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (4)
YOU GOT TO LOSE – The Black Keys (6)
LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (3)
WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (9)
SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (10)
SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (11)
DRAG PATH – Twenty One Pilots (13)
THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (12)
THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (7)
WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (8)
HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (14)
BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (15)
LOOK OUT FOR ME – Turnstile (16)
DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE – Young the Giant (17)
YOUR FAVORITE TOY – Foo Fighters (19)
STARLIGHT – Cannons (21)
BURN FOR YOU RMX – Between Daze (22)
HEAVY FOOT – Mon Rovîa (24)
FOOL’S GOLD – Buffalo Traffic Jam (23)
SITE UNSEEN – Courtney Barnett featuring Waxahatchee (25)
Noah Kahan holds the top spot for a third week with his beautiful inspirational song “The Great Divide”, while The Neighbourhood hold at #2 for a second week with their winsome “Hula Girl”. Rounding out the top five are “Lost Your Ghost” by Two Feet, “Doubletake” by Edgehill and “I Remember When” by MISSIO. Singer-songwriter Stephen Sanchez enters the top ten with his throwback doo wop-inspired “Sweet Love”.
Four new songs by music heavy hitters enter my chart this week, starting with “you and forever” by American pop-rock band Bleachers, coming in at #27. Formed in 2013 by singer-songwriter, musician and producer extraordinaire Jack Antonoff, the group has included his longtime touring musicians Mikey Freedom Hart, Sean Hutchinson, Evan Smith, Michael Riddleberger, and Zem Audu since 2023. The song is the lead single from their fifth studio album Everyone for Ten Minutes, scheduled for release on May 22nd.
Next up is “Song of the Future” by legendary Irish rock band U2, who since forming in 1976 has consisted of Bono (Hewson) on lead vocals, the Edge on lead guitar, keys and backing vocals, Adam Clayton on bass and Larry Mullen Jr. on drums and percussion. They’ve been putting out music since 1979, including 15 studio albums, 12 EPs and 85 singles. Their first new music in two years, “Song of the Future” is from their Days of AshEP, released February 18h, which they’ve since followed with Easter Lily EP this past Friday, April 3rd.
Entering at #29 is “Be With You” by English alt-rock band Muse, which since their formation more than 30 years ago has consisted of Matt Bellamy (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Chris Wolstenholme (bass, backing vocals), and Dominic Howard (drums, percussion). The song is the second single (following last year’s “Unravelling”) from their forthcoming tenth studio album The Wow! Signal, to be released June 26th.
Last, but certainly not least, is “Riptides”, the latest single by American indie pop-rock band Death Cab for Cutie. Formed in 1997, the band has undergone a few changes in lineup over the years and now consists of Ben Gibbard (vocals, guitar, piano), Nick Harmer (bass), Dave Depper (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), Zac Rae (keyboards, guitar), and Jason McGerr (drums). “Riptides” is the lead single from their forthcoming 11th studio album I Built You a Tower, due for release on June 5th.
THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (1)
HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (2)
LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (4)
DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (5)
I REMEMBER WHEN – MISSIO (6)
YOU GOT TO LOSE – The Black Keys (7)
THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (8)
WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (3)
WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (10)
SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (11)
SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (12)
THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (14)
DRAG PATH – Twenty One Pilots (19)
HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (15)
BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (16)
LOOK OUT FOR ME – Turnstile (17)
DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE – Young the Giant (18)
ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (9) 21st week on chart
YOUR FAVORITE TOY – Foo Fighters (29)
TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (13)
STARLIGHT – Cannons (24)
BURN FOR YOU RMX – Between Daze (25)
FOOL’S GOLD – Buffalo Traffic Jam (26)
HEAVY FOOT – Mon Rovîa (27)
SITE UNSEEN – Courtney Barnett featuring Waxahatchee (30)
Noah Kahan remains on top for a second week with “The Great Divide”, while The Neighbourhood moves into second place with their captivating “Hula Girl”. I’ve been a big fan of this Los Angeles-based group since first hearing their song “Sweater Weather” back in the summer of 2013 (it became my 4th favorite song of that entire decade), and am happy they’re still putting out exceptional music. I really love lead singer Jesse Rutherford’s ethereal sensuous vocals. “Waiting for Me” by Northern Virginia-based Talk in Waves (aka singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jake Mimikos) enters the top 10 after a long, steady climb. He’s another longtime favorite of mine who’s had numerous songs appear on my chart over the past seven years.
Two great songs make their debut this week, starting with the raucous “Your Favorite Toy” by legendary rock band Foo Fighters, entering at #29. To my ears, the song is a bit of a departure from their typical sound, and I honestly didn’t recognize Dave Grohl’s voice the first time I heard it, but I’m really liking it! Entering at #30 is “Sight Unseen” by Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett, featuring American indie folk artist Waxahatchee (aka singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield). Barnett’s previous single “Stay In Your Lane” recently spent 12 weeks on my chart. Both songs are from her fifth studio album Creature of Habit, which dropped this past Friday, March 27th.
THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (1)
HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (3)
WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (2)
LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (6)
DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (7)
I REMEMBER WHEN – MISSIO (8)
YOU GOT TO LOSE – The Black Keys (9)
THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (10)
ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (4) 20th week on chart
WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (13)
SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (14)
SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (15)
TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (5)
THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (20)
HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (19)
BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (21)
LOOK OUT FOR ME – Turnstile (22)
DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE – Young the Giant (24)
DRAG PATH – Twenty One Pilots (25)
HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (11)
12 TO 12 – sombr (12) 23rd week on chart
COBRA – Geese (17)
I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (16)
STARLIGHT – Cannons (27)
BURN FOR YOU RMX – Between Daze (28)
FOOL’S GOLD – Buffalo Traffic Jam (29)
HEAVY FOOT – Mon Rovîa (30)
RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (18)
YOUR FAVORITE TOY – Foo Fighters (N)
SITE UNSEEN – Courtney Barnett featuring Waxahatchee (N)
Photo of Noah Kahan taken from his Facebook account
A new week and some exciting changes on my latest Top 30 chart. First off, Vermont-born and now Nashville-based folk pop singer-songwriter Noah Kahan takes over the #1 spot with his heartwarming song “The Great Divide”. The talented 29-year-old began releasing singles in 2017, followed by his debut album Busyhead in 2019, but burst onto the music scene in late 2022 with his breakout single “Stick Season”. Although moderately successful in the U.S. upon release, the song went viral on TikTok after American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo covered it on BBC Radio 1 in the UK, causing it to reach number one in various countries including Australia, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands and the UK, as well as reaching the top 10 in Canada, New Zealand, and the U.S. (Wikipedia) “The Great Divide”, which is currently #1 on all Billboard Alternative charts, was the lead and title single from Kahan’s forthcoming fourth album The Great Divide, to be released April 24th.
The poignant lyrics seem to be a letter to an old friend you’ve lost touch with but still care about: “I can’t recall the last time that we talked. About anything but lookin’ out for cops. We got cigarette burns on the same side of our hands. But we ain’t friends, we’re just morons who broke skin in the same spot. You know I think about you all the time. And my deep misunderstanding of your life. And how bad it must have been for you back then. And how hard it was to keep it all inside.I hope you settle down, I hope you marry rich. I hope you’re scared of only ordinary shit. Like murderers and ghosts and cancer on your skin. And not your soul, and what he might do with it. “
One of my longtime favorite acts is MISSIO, a duo from Austin, Texas comprised of singer-songwriter, musician and producer Matthew Brue and songwriter/producer and musician David Butler, who record music with the help of their silent third partner, producer and frequent collaborator Dwight Baker and drummer Jaydon Bean. I’ve written about them numerous times and four of their songs have reached #1 on my weekly Top 30. Their rip-roaring single “I Remember When” enters the top 10, leaping 14 spots to #8.
Debuting way up high at #9 is “You Got to Lose”, the latest single by another longtime favorite act of mine, Nashville-based blues rockers The Black Keys, made up of singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney, that sees them return to their garage-rock roots. The song was the lead single from their forthcoming 14th album Peaches!, set for release on May 1st, and it’s quite possibly the fiercest, most raw performance I’ve ever heard from the guys. Originally written in 1958 by Ike Turner, Auerbach’s cover takes inspiration from Earl Hooker’s 1969 blues version, and George Thorogood & The Destroyer’s fiery 1977 version. Recorded while Auerbach was caring for his now late father, who was dealing with the effects of a stroke and esophageal cancer, the song and album were a cathartic release for him. He explained “We weren’t making a record. We were just jamming, like this is for us. Really primal, in a moment when all the nerves were raw, just kinda screaming. We were going through a lot, trying to lift our spirits. I think my dad getting sick made me not give a fuck and just wanna scream for a bit.” (Genius)
Also entering the top 10 at #10 is “The Wreckage” by Los Angeles-based alt-rock band Silversun Pickups. The song is from their seventh album Tenterhooks, which dropped last month, and it’s become one of my favorites of theirs. Besides “You Got to Lose”, there are two other new additions to my chart, starting with “Fool’s Gold” by Bozeman, Montana-based folk band Buffalo Traffic Jam, who are new to me. Consisting of Frankie Cassidy and Nathan Ross, who met as students at Montana State University, they released their self-titled debut EP in 2024, and quickly amassed a huge following, with over 4 million monthly listeners on Spotify and more than 142,000 followers on Instagram. They followed up with several singles which culminated in the release of their six-track EP Take Me Home, which dropped last October and on which “Fool’s Gold” is featured. The poignant song is currently #3 on the Billboard AAA chart.
Debuting at #30 is “Heavy Foot” by folk artist Mon Rovîa, another act that’s new to me. Mon Rovîa is the music project of Afro-Appalachian singer-songwriter Janjay Lowe, who was born in Monrovia, Liberia and adopted at the age of seven by an American family with whom he variously lived in Florida, Montana, the Bahamas, and Tennessee, where he’s now based. The prolific musician began releasing music in 2020 and has since dropped six EPs and an album Bloodline, released in January. Like Buffalo Traffic Jam, Mon Rovîa has quickly garnered a huge following, with over 2.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, 2 million followers on Facebook and nearly a million followers on Instagram. I’m really liking his music and sweet vocals.
THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (2)
WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (1)
HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (4)
ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (3)
TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (5)
LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (6)
DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (10)
I REMEMBER WHEN – MISSIO (22)
YOU GOT TO LOSE – The Black Keys (N)
THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (12)
HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (7)
12 TO 12 – sombr (8) 22nd week on chart
WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (14)
SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (16)
SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (17)
I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (9)
COBRA – Geese (15)
RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (11)
HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (19)
THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (20)
BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (21)
Australian duo Royel Otis remain at #1 for a second week with “who’s your boyfriend”, while singer-songwriter Noah Kahan moves into second place with “The Great Divide”, which currently tops both the Billboard Alternative and Adult Alternative charts. Nashville-based alternative indie rock band Edgehill enters the top 10 with “Doubletake”, which is featured on their debut album Ode to the Greyhouse, released last month.
There are four new entries to my chart this week, starting with “LOOK OUT FOR ME” by Baltimore, Maryland-based melodic hardcore band Turnstile. Formed in 2010, they consist of lead vocalist Brendan Yates, guitarists Pat McCrory and Meg Mills, bassist Franz Lyons, and drummer Daniel Fang. Coming in at #26, the song is from their critically acclaimed fourth album Never Enough, which won a Grammy for Best Rock Album on February 1st.
Entering at #28 is “Drag Path”, the latest single by my longtime favorite music act, Columbus, Ohio-based duo Twenty One Pilots, comprised of singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tyler Joseph and dummer Josh Dun. Next up is “Starlight” by L.A.-based dream pop band Cannons, made up of vocalist Michelle Joy, lead guitarist Ryan Clapham, and keyboardist/bassist Paul Davis. The song will be included on their forthcoming fifth album Everything Glows, to be released March 27th. These two, along with Two Feet and Young the Giant, are four acts with songs on this chart who I’ve seen live in concert.
Last, but certainly not least, is “Burn For You RMX” by Between Daze, another act from Baltimore, Maryland who debut at #30. A songwriting/recording project comprised of Johnny Burkhead (vocals), Scott Rodenberg (guitar) and Ken Kundratic (guitar), along with Mike Coyne (bass) and Kevin Walsh (drums), they’ve been making alternative pop/rock and roll music together for over 20 years but really began hitting their stride in 2021 with the release of their single “Burn For You”. They’ve now revisited the track with a terrific newly mastered version by Wye Wye Productions. With a sound somewhat reminiscent of 80s U2 and The Cure, the band states the song is “a poignant exploration of true love and how far one is willing to go to have it.”
WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (1)
THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (3)
ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (2)
HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (6)
TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (7)
LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (8)
HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (4)
12 TO 12 – sombr (5) 21st week on chart
I’VE GOT A BROKEN HEART – The Lemon Twigs (9)
DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (12)
RUBBER BAND MAN – Mumford & Sons w/Hozier (11)
THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (15)
LOST – almost monday (14)
WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (16)
COBRA – Geese (17)
SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (18)
SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (19)
INFINITE SOURCE – Deftones (10)
HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (21)
THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (22)
BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (27)
I REMEMBER WHEN – MISSIO (28)
ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO DEPRESSED – Joyce Manor (13)
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)
There aren’t any significant changes to my chart, as Sublime‘s “Ensenada” holds at #1 for a second week. Alabama Shakes moves up two notches to #2 with “Another Life”, while “Downstairs” by Matt Maeson and “City Walls” by Twenty One Pilots enter the top 10. There are no new additions this week.
ENSENADA – Sublime (1)
ANOTHER LIFE – Alabama Shakes (4)
SUSHI AND COCA-COLA – St. Paul & The Broken Bones (3)
MISTAKES – Caamp (6)
THE WEATHER – All Time Low (7)
ELEGANTLY WASTED – Hermanos Gutiérrez feat. Leon Bridges (8)
FIVE MORE SECONDS – Seafret & KT Tunstall (2)
AS ALIVE AS YOU NEED ME TO BE – Nine Inch Nails (4)
It’s a new song at #1 this week, as “Ensenada” by legendary Southern California ska punk band Sublime takes over the top spot. Originally formed in Long Beach way back in 1988 by Bradley Nowell (vocals and guitar), Bud Gaugh (drums) and Eric Wilson (bass), they released three studio albums, a live album, five compilation albums, three EPs, one box set and six singles, three of which – “What I Got”, “Santeria” and “Wrong Way” – have remained longtime alt-rock radio staples. Sadly, they disbanded after Bradley Nowell’s untimely death from a heroin overdose in 1996 but subsequently reformed in 2023 with Nowell’s son Jakob singing lead vocals alongside original band members Wilson and Gaugh.
Released this past July, “Ensenada” carries on with the band’s original signature sound, almost as if no time has passed. The song lyrics speak to the joys of time spent with prostitutes in Ensenada, Mexico, with Jakob admitting “if I was the motherfuckin’ President, I’d hire twenty strippers for my cabinet” (which seems ironic, as at least two members of President Trump’s cabinet look like aging strippers). I must add it annoys me that the words “whore” and “motherfuckin'” have been bleeped out of the video.
There are four new entries to my chart again this week, starting with “Lucy” by Los Angeles-based indie rock band Mt. Joy. Formed in 2016, the band consists of Matt Quinn (vocals, guitar), Sam Cooper (guitar), Sotiris Eliopoulos (drums), Jackie Miclau (keyboards) and Michael Byrnes (bass). The song is from their fourth studio album Hope We Have Fun, and is their seventh song to appear on my chart.
Coming in at #28 is “Get The Message” by Atlanta-based pop-punk band The Paradox, comprised of Eric Dangerfield (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Donald Bryant (bass), Christopher “Xelan” Bernard (lead guitar and background vocals), and Percy “PC3” Crews (drums). Formed only a little more than a year ago in June 2024, they quickly made waves in the music industry; just three weeks after launching their social media presence, they amassed over 730k followers and have already opened for Green Day and Jack White. “Get The Message” is featured on their debut EP NSFW, which dropped September 19th.
Next up is “Watch Me Go” by folk rock band Lord Huron, another Los Angeles-based act who’ve been a longtime favorite of mine. Originally formed as a solo act by singer-songwriter/guitarist Ben Schneider in 2010 after he relocated from Michigan to Los Angeles, Lord Huron eventually became a four-piece that now includes Miguel Briseño on bass, keyboards & theremin, Tom Renaud on guitar, and Mark Barry on drums & percussion. Their uniquely beautiful music is a glorious mash-up of folk, western, rock and roll, pop, surf rock and new age. “Watch Me Go” is from their fifth and latest album The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1, released in July. A previous single from that album, “Nothing I Need”, spent two weeks at #1 on my chart in June.
The fourth new entry is “Dang” by North Carolina-based alternative indie rock band Rainbow Kitten Surprise, whose sound has been influenced by such artists as Modest Mouse, Kings of Leon, Frank Ocean, and Schoolboy Q. Formed in 2013 by Darrick “Bozzy” Keller (guitar, backup vocals) and Sam Melo (lead vocalist who transitioned to Ela in 2022), they were joined a year later by Ethan Goodpaster (electric guitar) and Jess Haney (drums). “Dang” is from their fifth studio album Bones, which dropped September 26th, and their second song to appear on my chart after “Fever Pitch” in 2018.
ENSENADA – Sublime (2)
FIVE MORE SECONDS – Seafret & KT Tunstall (1)
SUSHI AND COCA-COLA – St. Paul & The Broken Bones (5)
ANOTHER LIFE – Alabama Shakes (9)
AS ALIVE AS YOU NEED ME TO BE – Nine Inch Nails (4)
MISTAKES – Caamp (7)
THE WEATHER – All Time Low (8)
ELEGANTLY WASTED – Hermanos Gutiérrez feat. Leon Bridges (10)
ECLECTIC MUSIC LOVER 