This week’s chart was particularly tough to create. There is a lineup of great songs for consideration and several that won’t make the chart for one reason or another. And this week’s Top 4 are some of the very best songs of the year. I’ve published a bi-weekly Top 30 online for the last 27 years. I’ve been tempted to make it a Top 40 if not for the fact that there is no appeal to me for a song that peaks in the 30’s. So it remains as a Top 30 as a better representation of songs that I’ve truly enjoyed at the time of their release, difficult as it may be to create at times. Yes there are some songs in hindsight that I probably wouldn’t have charted. Just call it a music geek’s labour of love which I am glad that I can share with you, and hopefully some of the songs I believe in – particularly indie releases – resonate with you too!
As a standing item about my daughter VXTORIA‘s progress with her music, her debut EP Dreamstate is now out! It features three new songs, “Awaken”, “U&Me”, and “TMRW”, in addition to singles Back To You, changes, and Lost in Your Love. I’d like to thank anyone who has found out about her music through my blog page for supporting the songs.
Check out information about my ONLINE RADIO SHOWS after the chart commentary below as they are directly tied in with this blog. As most of you know, I host 3 online radio shows – The Big 20 and two iterations of Your Weekend New Music Mix – and produce 2 online radio segments – my new music and retro picks of the week – that are all pre-recorded. The Big 20 and the picks of the week are happily being syndicated and you can find the current schedule for all at the bottom of the home page of this blog.
Two weeks ago, I wasn’t sure if “undressed” (above) by sombr would hold on to #1. But the song has outdone itself and is #1 again with ease. The artist, whose real name is Shane Boose, has made a collection of songs that will stand the test of time. Former #1 “back to friends” slides to #16 this week, but follow up single “we never dated” (below) is turning out to be a bigger earworm than I thought, and rises 27-21. This week’s release however of the danceable “12 to 12” (also below, with Addison Rae as the love interest in the video) has sombr going 4 for 4, so expect a significant debut in two weeks. What song will be #1 in two weeks is anybody’s guess!!
The Boy From The South’s playful “Older” climbs 6-5 and becomes the second Top 5 entry for the artist, following 2023’s fanciful #3 “Amazing-Man”.
Miami dance producer GT_Ofice climbs another notch 7-6 with “Something New” in collaboration as a trio with Matthew Topper and touring buddy Petie.
American indie R&B/pop singer/songwriter Steven Thad’s old school-meets-new school “Smile” moves up 9-7 after an extended promotion that started in the UK. “Smile” is an uncharacteristic case-in-point: Sometimes you just have to stick with a good song until people find it!
For the second chart in a row, “Dior” by MK and Chrystal is the Fastest Riser on the chart, soaring 16-9, which exudes signs of a future #1. It’s MK’s second Top 10 entry, as “17” reached #3 in 2018.
The second new entry into the Top 10 is the second one for Windsor, Ontario talent MELØ with “I Don’t Speak French” (12-10), a healthy mix of rock and dance music reminiscent of the 80’s new wave era to keep you going. MELØ’s “Memento” reached #8 in at the top of 2024.
I’m sure at some point there will be at least a set together between John Summit and British producers Gorgon City thanks to the fun, bouncy house track that is “Is Everybody Having Fun?” which rises 17-13. The clever rap is by another Brit, rhys from the sticks.
Revelation, the collaborative album between The Knocks and Canadian talent Dragonette, continues to find new friends with such tracks as “Foolish Pleasure” which rises 18-15.
Benedict Cork’s stunning piano ballad, the indie release “What It Is To Be Loved” is off to a great start, climbing 25-19 from his ‘deluxe’ album Footnotes On A Hopeless Romance.
This chart has always been a home for indie releases, more so since the era of free downloads which began in the mid-2000’s. Irish talent Four Nights moves up 28-23 with “all night long” (above) from his EP In My Mind I’m Safe. And unique but low key American electronic male-female duo aibai & vinny climb 29-24 with the compelling story in “still broke” (below) from their self-titled EP. It’s a song that will make you stop in your tracks to hear.
There are five newcomers to the chart, led by 23 year old British singer/songwriter Elliot James Reay with “Daydreaming” from his debut EP All This To Say I Love You. Fans of Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison and Chris Isaak need look no further.
Conan Gray is back with a new album mid-August called Wishbone, which more than ever explores queer themes, which will be of interest particularly to 20-somethings who continue to soul search. But they are also entirely relatable to anyone who has ever had a mad crush or been in love. So Conan has the honour of having the first two singles from the album arrive on the chart at the same time. “Vodka Cranberry” (produced and co-written by Grammy winner Dan Nigro), the second release, debuts at #26, while “This Song” bows at #29. Links to both songs are above. Links to both videos follow: This Song and Vodka Cranberry, as their stories are connected. The actor appearing in both videos with Conan is Corey Fogelmanis.
Getting his second chart entry is Nashville-based pop singer-songwriter Liam Wall with the moody and thoughtful “So” at #27. His recent single “Walking Red Flag” peaked at #6 in the Spring.
The last debut #28 is the outstanding dance release by NYC’s SIRPAUL, with his “Disco 3000” mix of “Dopamine” from his recent album of the same name, his first in four years. “Dopamine”, in this remix, is so much fun and doesn’t let up. It’s SIRPAUL’s third entry on the chart, but first since 2014. His release “Every Single Moment”, from his album Seventh Star, peaked at #4 in 2013.
ONLINE RADIO SHOWS
You can hear me and many of my blog choices on this growing list of online radio stations and features!
Listen to The Big 20 from 10pm to Midnight EST on Wednesdays as “The Musicman” James Rogers and I bring you the latest in new songs. The show also repeats on Saturday evening at 6 pm EST.
My New Music Pick of the Week debuts each week on The Big 20. It airs more than 25 times during the week and you can view its schedule by clicking at the following link: Schedule.
On Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm to Midnight EST I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix”, four hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.
My Retro Pick of the Week airs each week on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline”, Saturdays at 4pm EST. You can view its schedule by going to the lower right corner of the home page of this blog.
The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada
The 3D Variety Show is on a short hiatus and will return.
Canada’s Party Dog Radio now anchors Hunter Wilbur’s “Modern Hype” on Saturdays at 4pm EST, which airs my New Music Pick of the Week. Party Dog Radio also airs “The Big 20”, where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week on Sundays after 9pm EST.
For other details about all of the shows, such as dates and times of broadcasts, go to my home page and scroll down to the bottom right side! Schedules are updated regularly.
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