Things are about to get interesting...well...not this week but with Ariana Grande's sales and streams for "Thank U, Next", I get the feeling things are about to heat up but as for this week well it was pretty much same old at least at the very top where "Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper remains at number one for a second week, right now, it's a numbers game as to whether "Shallow' can hold off "Thank U Next" for number one, really it could all come down to how many people streamed "Thank U, Next" on a paid streaming account.
"Shotgun" by George Ezra remains at number two but I expect it to get pushed back hard, digital sales are excellent but really with it's streaming falling away and stronger songs behind it, this should really start to fall away hard.
At number three is "Happier" Marshmello and Bastille. Really, I don't see this song going much higher now. Same said for "Eastside" by Benny Blanco feat. Halsey and Khalid at number four.
Speaking of Halsey, "Without Me" is our first mover this week as it jumps three places to number 5. It's weird to see a Halsey solo jaunt in the top 5 to be honest but she did push former chart topper "Be Alright" by Dean Lewis back to number six (it debuted at number 94 on the Hot 100 in the US this week).
Then we have the big story in our top ten with "Sunflower" by Post Malone and Swae Lee jumping from 13 into the top ten at number 7. I suspect this song might be a top 5 hit in the making.
"Body" by Loud Luxury feat. Brando rose one place to number 8.
Khalid's "Better" fell three places to number 9 as the hype for his recent EP falls away.
While "Promises" by Calvin Harris and Sam Smith also fell three places to number 10.
Time to look outside our top and look at the big movers of the week.
Gainers
Well the biggest gainers were songs off the "A Star is Born" soundtrack with "I'll Never Love again" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper up to 15 from 32 and "Always Remember Us this Way" by Lady Gaga up six places to 12
Despite everything I said last week, "Woman Like Me" by Little Mix feat. Nicki Minaj got a boost off the back of the video to rebound to number 24.
"Better Now" by Post Malone is somehow rebounding back up the chart, it's back ato 28 from 31.
Another big mover that I am actually happy about is "1999" by Charli XCX and Troye Sivan u to 29 from 46. Yay!
Losers
The biggest loser this week was "Venom" by Eminem which plummeted to 43 from 25.
Sadly, "MIA" by Bad Bunny feat. Drake fell nine places to 49 (I don't mind the song quite honestly) while "Jackie Chan" by Tiesto feat. Dzeko, Preme and Post Malone fell 8 eight places to 50.
"Beautiful' by Bazzi feat. Camila Cabello fell from 27 to 35. "Leave A light on" by Tom Walker also slipped six down to 30.
Finally two songs I like in "Rise" by Jonas Blue feat. Jack and Jack down to 25 and "High Hopes" by Panic! At the Disco down to 22 from 15.
Drop Outs
Only three drop outs this week and I am a bit uncertain as to whether any of them will make the year list, that being "Killshot" by Eminem, "Born to Be Yours" by Kygo and Imagine Dragons and "I'll be There" by Jess Glynne.
New Entries
Music grave robbery has the highest new debut this week with XXXtentacion teaming u with Lil Pump, Maluma and Swae Lee for "Arms Around You" at 14. Gets worse when it's been announced that a new XXXtentacion song is being released tomorrow.
The songs from the soundtrack of "The Greatest Showman" are being re-imagined so we've got Pink's "A Million Dreams" at 26.
Finally, the best of the new entries is Ava Max's European smash "Sweet But Psycho" at 46.
So that wraps up this week and yeah, all eyes are going to be on what happens with number one, it seems like a straight fight between Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper but who knows?
The chart for the week beginning 12th November is announced on Saturday afternoon at 5pm.
Thursday 8 November 2018
Thursday 1 November 2018
ARIA Chart top ten/Chart Review: 29th October: Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper rocket to number one
Well, when I said last week that "Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper was going to be a big mover up this week, I didn't ever think it would be the major disturbance to the top ten in the way it has and that's not counting another new arrival in the top ten which we'll get to in a moment.
So let's get to that top ten, shall we? We have a new number one this week that being "Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper which jumped from 17 to take the number one spot., it's Cooper's first number one single and it's Lady Gaga's first since "Born This Way" topped the chart in 2011. It's long prospects at number one? Well, that's a vexed question because while it's ruling digital sales, streaming isn't quite there yet.
"Shallow"'s rise to number one meant that George Ezra's "Shotgun" got pushed back to number two, I fully expect this song to start to fall away because it's not as healthy across the board as some of it's rivals.
A contender for the number two slot is "Happier" by Marshmello and Bastille at number 3, this song is pretty healthy across the boardeven though there are questions over the quality of the song.
Benny Blanco has a new song coming on November 2nd with Calvin Harris but his current hit "Eastside" feat. Halsey and Khalid slipped two places to number four and really this song is in an awkward place.
Former chart topper "Be Alright" by Dean Lewis slipped one place to number five this week and is now under threat from Khalid's "Better" which jumped three places to number six although that's probably because he just released a new EP called "Suncity"
All this pushed "Promises" by Calvin Harris feat. Sam Smith down 2 places to number seven.
A song that is dominating on streaming at the moment for some reason is Halsey's "Without Me" which jumped two places to number eight
Hell, it pushed "Body" by Loud Luxury feat. Brando back two places to number nine although I expect it will rebound.
Finally, we have the highest placed debut on the charts this week at number ten with "When the Party's Over" by Billie Eilish, it's her second top ten hit after "lovely" with Khalid but her first solo and this has traction going forward, I expect this to hang around the top ten for awhile.
Gainers
So outside of "Shallow" which was this week's biggest gainer, there really wasn't much that gained big time, I guess there's a two place jump for "Day Drunk" by Morgan Evans to 35.
Losers
A LOT of songs lost ground this week so I am only going to go through the songs that lost big time, "Healing Hands" by Conrad Sewell was the biggest loser this week as it fell hard from 33 to 48 (that song should make the year end list so not worried).
"Killshot" by Eminem also took a tumble down to 45 as did "Lucid Dreams" by Juice WRLD down to 44 (Good, the latter will make the year end list because way too many thought we needed more Post Malone sound alikes on the chart)
"Jackie Chain" by Tiesto feat. Dzeko, Preme and Post Malone (speak of the devil) got karate chopped down to 42.
"Fire/Reprisal" by Peking Duk burned down seven places to 38.
The unsurprising loss came from "Woman Like Me" by Little Mix feat. Nicki Minaj which fell from 23 to 34 (honestly the song is really mediocre, not surprised it fell).
Also happy to see "I Love It" by Lil Pump and Kanye West drop six places to 12. The sooner that song is gone the better.
Drop Outs
We got some BIG drop outs this week with only one or two of them being any good so let's start with the bad songs dropping out of the top 50 that will likely make year end list that being "Sad!" by XXXtentacion and "No Brainer" by DJ Khalid feat. Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper and Quavo.
Then there's songs like "Praise the Lord (Da Shine)" by A$AP Rocky feat. Skepta and "Never Ever" by The Rubens feat. Sarah which have a question mark over whether they will make the year end list.
The only song that dropped out which probably won't make the year end is "Breathin'" by Ariana Grande.
Finally the excellent song that I am so happy will make year end list is "Lovely" by Billie Eilish and Khalid.
New Entries
We got seven new entries, I already have mentioned the new entry for Billie Eilish at number 10 but at number 13, we have "Sunflower" by Post Malone feat. Swae Lee (I expect this song to jump into the top ten next week)
Then we have two songs from "A Star is Born soundtrack with "Always Remember Us This Way" by Lady Gaga debuting in the top 20 at number 18 and "I'll Never Love Again" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper entering at 32. Given the way these songs are performing on digital sales, we won't be saying goodbye to them any time soon.
We did get one entry from Khalid's EP that I mentioned earlier with the title track "Suncity" with Empress Of entering at number 30.
Dua Lipa teamed up with k-pop girl group Blackpink for the entry at number 33 called "Kiss and Make Up"
Finally "1999" by Charli XCX and Troye Sivan arrives in the top 50 at number 46. I really like this song so happy to see it here.
Wow. What a week and I don't think it's going to slow down with Pink having released a re-imagining of a song from "The Greatest Showman soundtrack", BTS working with Steve Aoki, and not to mention, the return of Ellie Goulding. I don't expect "Shallow" to lose number one though but we'll see. ARIA will announce the chart for the week starting 5th November on Saturday.
So let's get to that top ten, shall we? We have a new number one this week that being "Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper which jumped from 17 to take the number one spot., it's Cooper's first number one single and it's Lady Gaga's first since "Born This Way" topped the chart in 2011. It's long prospects at number one? Well, that's a vexed question because while it's ruling digital sales, streaming isn't quite there yet.
"Shallow"'s rise to number one meant that George Ezra's "Shotgun" got pushed back to number two, I fully expect this song to start to fall away because it's not as healthy across the board as some of it's rivals.
A contender for the number two slot is "Happier" by Marshmello and Bastille at number 3, this song is pretty healthy across the boardeven though there are questions over the quality of the song.
Benny Blanco has a new song coming on November 2nd with Calvin Harris but his current hit "Eastside" feat. Halsey and Khalid slipped two places to number four and really this song is in an awkward place.
Former chart topper "Be Alright" by Dean Lewis slipped one place to number five this week and is now under threat from Khalid's "Better" which jumped three places to number six although that's probably because he just released a new EP called "Suncity"
All this pushed "Promises" by Calvin Harris feat. Sam Smith down 2 places to number seven.
A song that is dominating on streaming at the moment for some reason is Halsey's "Without Me" which jumped two places to number eight
Hell, it pushed "Body" by Loud Luxury feat. Brando back two places to number nine although I expect it will rebound.
Finally, we have the highest placed debut on the charts this week at number ten with "When the Party's Over" by Billie Eilish, it's her second top ten hit after "lovely" with Khalid but her first solo and this has traction going forward, I expect this to hang around the top ten for awhile.
Gainers
So outside of "Shallow" which was this week's biggest gainer, there really wasn't much that gained big time, I guess there's a two place jump for "Day Drunk" by Morgan Evans to 35.
Losers
A LOT of songs lost ground this week so I am only going to go through the songs that lost big time, "Healing Hands" by Conrad Sewell was the biggest loser this week as it fell hard from 33 to 48 (that song should make the year end list so not worried).
"Killshot" by Eminem also took a tumble down to 45 as did "Lucid Dreams" by Juice WRLD down to 44 (Good, the latter will make the year end list because way too many thought we needed more Post Malone sound alikes on the chart)
"Jackie Chain" by Tiesto feat. Dzeko, Preme and Post Malone (speak of the devil) got karate chopped down to 42.
"Fire/Reprisal" by Peking Duk burned down seven places to 38.
The unsurprising loss came from "Woman Like Me" by Little Mix feat. Nicki Minaj which fell from 23 to 34 (honestly the song is really mediocre, not surprised it fell).
Also happy to see "I Love It" by Lil Pump and Kanye West drop six places to 12. The sooner that song is gone the better.
Drop Outs
We got some BIG drop outs this week with only one or two of them being any good so let's start with the bad songs dropping out of the top 50 that will likely make year end list that being "Sad!" by XXXtentacion and "No Brainer" by DJ Khalid feat. Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper and Quavo.
Then there's songs like "Praise the Lord (Da Shine)" by A$AP Rocky feat. Skepta and "Never Ever" by The Rubens feat. Sarah which have a question mark over whether they will make the year end list.
The only song that dropped out which probably won't make the year end is "Breathin'" by Ariana Grande.
Finally the excellent song that I am so happy will make year end list is "Lovely" by Billie Eilish and Khalid.
New Entries
We got seven new entries, I already have mentioned the new entry for Billie Eilish at number 10 but at number 13, we have "Sunflower" by Post Malone feat. Swae Lee (I expect this song to jump into the top ten next week)
Then we have two songs from "A Star is Born soundtrack with "Always Remember Us This Way" by Lady Gaga debuting in the top 20 at number 18 and "I'll Never Love Again" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper entering at 32. Given the way these songs are performing on digital sales, we won't be saying goodbye to them any time soon.
We did get one entry from Khalid's EP that I mentioned earlier with the title track "Suncity" with Empress Of entering at number 30.
Dua Lipa teamed up with k-pop girl group Blackpink for the entry at number 33 called "Kiss and Make Up"
Finally "1999" by Charli XCX and Troye Sivan arrives in the top 50 at number 46. I really like this song so happy to see it here.
Wow. What a week and I don't think it's going to slow down with Pink having released a re-imagining of a song from "The Greatest Showman soundtrack", BTS working with Steve Aoki, and not to mention, the return of Ellie Goulding. I don't expect "Shallow" to lose number one though but we'll see. ARIA will announce the chart for the week starting 5th November on Saturday.
New Music Friday Review: 19th October. Zara Larsson, Major Lazer working with Tove Lo
Song: Ruin My Life
Artist: Zara Larsson
We start of this week's new music review with the lead off single for Zara Larsson's second album, a song I was kind of excited about however I can't be the only one feeling let down a little, right? For a start, Zara sounds totally devoid of any personality that made her a joy to listen to on previous hits and the chorus is just really painfully reptetive asking him to ruin her life and nights because she misses him. It's just a painfully mediocre song.
Rating 5/10
Song: when the party's over
Artist: Billie Eilish
This is the second single from Billie Eilish's debut album s and it is a dark one at that which features Eilish, backing vocals and sparse piano and strings as Eilish sings about her anger at this person in life and needing space from said person where she just wishes they would leave her the hell alone. Its a good song but its definitely not as good as "Bellyache" or "you should see me in a crown".
Rating 7/10
Song: Sunflower
Artists: Post Malone feat. Swae-Lee
This song is for the new Spiderman movie and while I don't mind the production, the grooves in this song are pretty awesome however the content of this song really does render this song kind of mediocre if I am to be honest and probably forgotten within weeks but given the streaming figures for this song, I'd not be surprised if it becomes a hit
Rating: 4/10
Song: Blow That Smoke
Artist: Major Lazer, Tove Lo
So I am not a fan of either artist. Major Lazer's "Lean On" was one of the more annoying hits of recent times while I've never cared for Tove Lo so much like in the recent past with Calvin Harris working with Frank Ocean and Migos on "Slide" last year, could "Blow that Smoke" by Major Lazer feat. Tove Lo work for me? Well honestly I think it does in that it feels like the perfect song to jump around to by the pool, its not bad. Hopefully becomes a hit.
Rating: 8/10
So yeah "Blow That Smoke" is the best song of New Music Friday would love to see this become a hit.
Artist: Zara Larsson
We start of this week's new music review with the lead off single for Zara Larsson's second album, a song I was kind of excited about however I can't be the only one feeling let down a little, right? For a start, Zara sounds totally devoid of any personality that made her a joy to listen to on previous hits and the chorus is just really painfully reptetive asking him to ruin her life and nights because she misses him. It's just a painfully mediocre song.
Rating 5/10
Song: when the party's over
Artist: Billie Eilish
This is the second single from Billie Eilish's debut album s and it is a dark one at that which features Eilish, backing vocals and sparse piano and strings as Eilish sings about her anger at this person in life and needing space from said person where she just wishes they would leave her the hell alone. Its a good song but its definitely not as good as "Bellyache" or "you should see me in a crown".
Rating 7/10
Song: Sunflower
Artists: Post Malone feat. Swae-Lee
This song is for the new Spiderman movie and while I don't mind the production, the grooves in this song are pretty awesome however the content of this song really does render this song kind of mediocre if I am to be honest and probably forgotten within weeks but given the streaming figures for this song, I'd not be surprised if it becomes a hit
Rating: 4/10
Song: Blow That Smoke
Artist: Major Lazer, Tove Lo
So I am not a fan of either artist. Major Lazer's "Lean On" was one of the more annoying hits of recent times while I've never cared for Tove Lo so much like in the recent past with Calvin Harris working with Frank Ocean and Migos on "Slide" last year, could "Blow that Smoke" by Major Lazer feat. Tove Lo work for me? Well honestly I think it does in that it feels like the perfect song to jump around to by the pool, its not bad. Hopefully becomes a hit.
Rating: 8/10
So yeah "Blow That Smoke" is the best song of New Music Friday would love to see this become a hit.
Tuesday 23 October 2018
ARIA Singles Chart top ten / Chart Review: 22nd October:
So let's get stuck into this week because plenty happened including a whole slew of new entries (not sure how many of them are any good though) and the top ten looks mildly interesting unless you glance at the very top of the chart where yes, "Shotgun" by George Ezra remains at number one for a fifth week despite not dominating anywhere.
"Eastside" by Benny Blanco feat. Halsey and Khalid remains at number two but it's facing a challenger to that slot and that comes from our new number three "Happier" by Marshmello and Bastille which jumped one place this week, this song has momentum behind it, it pushed "Be Alright" by Dean Lewis to number four.
"Promises" by Calvin Harris and Sam Smith returned to the top 5 at number 5, a climb of one place, it effectively switched with "I Love It" by Lil Pump and Kanye West which slipped to number 6 as the hype behind that song mercifully fades.
Also switching was "Body" by Loud Luxury feat. Brando which went up to number 7 while "In My Mind" by Dynoro slipped back to number 8.
Khalid's second entry in the top ten, "Better" remains at number nine while his 'Eastside" counterpart Halsey enters the top ten also for a second time with "Without Me" jumping one place to number 10,
Gains
The biggest gainer this week was Eminem's "Venom" which sucked up enough poison to go up from 37 to 25.
"Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper is continuing to climb toward the deep end of the charts by jumping to 17 from 25 last week. (Good because that song is excellent)
Right behind it is Rita Ora's "Let You Love Me" which climbed nine places off its debut to number 18. In fact, the debuts last week mostly all had big gains this week with Lukas Graham had a big climb as well with "Love Someone" up ten places to 36 and :"Day Drunk" by Morgan Evans up 11 to 37.
"Taki Taki" by DJ Snake feat. Ozuna, Cardi B and Selena Gomez climbed four places to 24.
Kian broke into the top 30 at 29 as "Waiting" jumped two places.
Losers
There were plenty of big losers this week but none bigger than "No Brainer" by DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper and Quavo which dropped all the way down to 45 from 21! Not surprising as the song really is a rip off of a song from last year and DJ Khaled has been threatening to become a parody of himself.
Drake's "In My Feelings" fell from 18 to 17 as we all try to get away from his feelings. Enough is enough.
:Eminem's 'Killshot" stumbled 10 places to 34.
Ariana Grande's "Breathin'" fell from 42 to 35 while "Happy Now" by Zedd feat. Elley Duhe slipped to 41 from 36.
"Ocean" by Martin Garrix and Khalid fell flat as the tide rode it down to 28 from 23.
"Jackie Chan" by Tiesto feat. Dzeko, Preme and Post Malone got karate chopped down to size to 32 from 26.
The "Electricity" went out a little on Silk City and Dua Lipa as that song slipped four places to 28.
Drop Outs.
Absolutely no issues with any of the drop outs this week with both "Goodbye" by Jason Derulo feat. David Guetta, Nicki Minaj and Willy William and "Natural" by Imagine Dragons gone after 5 weeks.
While the only song (unfortunately) likely to make the year end list is "FEFE" by 6ix9ine feat. Nicki Minaj and Murda Beatz which exited after 11 weeks
New Entries
Let's see what replaced the songs that dropped out, the highest debut is the pretty awful "ZEZE" by Kodack Black feat. Travis Scott and Offset (we're giving a rapist a top 20 hit? Come on Australia, we're better than this) which arrived at number 15. Ugh.
The underwhelming "Woman Like Me" by Little Mix feat Nicki Minaj entered at number 23. I'll be surprised if it goes much higher than this tbh.
The best of the new entries is probably "MIA" by Bad Bunny feat. Drake at number 40...I still think the song is okay and probably the best song that Drake has been involved with all year.
Anyway that wraps up the chart for the week. Got new Zara Larsson to review along with new music from Zayn, Billie Eilish and Sam Smith teaming up with Brandi Carlile. May also slip in some Jon Bellion too.
As for the chart, well the new one is released at 5pm on Saturday and I suspect Halsey's "Without Me" will make a move up as will "Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.
"Eastside" by Benny Blanco feat. Halsey and Khalid remains at number two but it's facing a challenger to that slot and that comes from our new number three "Happier" by Marshmello and Bastille which jumped one place this week, this song has momentum behind it, it pushed "Be Alright" by Dean Lewis to number four.
"Promises" by Calvin Harris and Sam Smith returned to the top 5 at number 5, a climb of one place, it effectively switched with "I Love It" by Lil Pump and Kanye West which slipped to number 6 as the hype behind that song mercifully fades.
Also switching was "Body" by Loud Luxury feat. Brando which went up to number 7 while "In My Mind" by Dynoro slipped back to number 8.
Khalid's second entry in the top ten, "Better" remains at number nine while his 'Eastside" counterpart Halsey enters the top ten also for a second time with "Without Me" jumping one place to number 10,
Gains
The biggest gainer this week was Eminem's "Venom" which sucked up enough poison to go up from 37 to 25.
"Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper is continuing to climb toward the deep end of the charts by jumping to 17 from 25 last week. (Good because that song is excellent)
Right behind it is Rita Ora's "Let You Love Me" which climbed nine places off its debut to number 18. In fact, the debuts last week mostly all had big gains this week with Lukas Graham had a big climb as well with "Love Someone" up ten places to 36 and :"Day Drunk" by Morgan Evans up 11 to 37.
"Taki Taki" by DJ Snake feat. Ozuna, Cardi B and Selena Gomez climbed four places to 24.
Kian broke into the top 30 at 29 as "Waiting" jumped two places.
Losers
There were plenty of big losers this week but none bigger than "No Brainer" by DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper and Quavo which dropped all the way down to 45 from 21! Not surprising as the song really is a rip off of a song from last year and DJ Khaled has been threatening to become a parody of himself.
Drake's "In My Feelings" fell from 18 to 17 as we all try to get away from his feelings. Enough is enough.
:Eminem's 'Killshot" stumbled 10 places to 34.
Ariana Grande's "Breathin'" fell from 42 to 35 while "Happy Now" by Zedd feat. Elley Duhe slipped to 41 from 36.
"Ocean" by Martin Garrix and Khalid fell flat as the tide rode it down to 28 from 23.
"Jackie Chan" by Tiesto feat. Dzeko, Preme and Post Malone got karate chopped down to size to 32 from 26.
The "Electricity" went out a little on Silk City and Dua Lipa as that song slipped four places to 28.
Drop Outs.
Absolutely no issues with any of the drop outs this week with both "Goodbye" by Jason Derulo feat. David Guetta, Nicki Minaj and Willy William and "Natural" by Imagine Dragons gone after 5 weeks.
While the only song (unfortunately) likely to make the year end list is "FEFE" by 6ix9ine feat. Nicki Minaj and Murda Beatz which exited after 11 weeks
New Entries
Let's see what replaced the songs that dropped out, the highest debut is the pretty awful "ZEZE" by Kodack Black feat. Travis Scott and Offset (we're giving a rapist a top 20 hit? Come on Australia, we're better than this) which arrived at number 15. Ugh.
The underwhelming "Woman Like Me" by Little Mix feat Nicki Minaj entered at number 23. I'll be surprised if it goes much higher than this tbh.
The best of the new entries is probably "MIA" by Bad Bunny feat. Drake at number 40...I still think the song is okay and probably the best song that Drake has been involved with all year.
Anyway that wraps up the chart for the week. Got new Zara Larsson to review along with new music from Zayn, Billie Eilish and Sam Smith teaming up with Brandi Carlile. May also slip in some Jon Bellion too.
As for the chart, well the new one is released at 5pm on Saturday and I suspect Halsey's "Without Me" will make a move up as will "Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.
Thursday 18 October 2018
New Music Friday Review for 12th October: Little Mix and Nicki Minaj team up, Meg Mac returns as female empowerment is the word
Song: Woman Like Me
Arists: Little Mix, Nicki Minaj
So here we have the lead single from Little Mix's upcoming fifth album titled "LM5" and am I the only one who is more than a little underwhelmed by this song? It's got these annoying whooping noises however the chorus is catchy and does a lot of the heavy lifting but than we get to a pretty lazy Nicki Minaj verse where she is just flexing, it sounds like a verse she'd drop on any song she's collaborated on, it seems really tacked on and kind of unnecessary.
Rating: 6/10
Song: I'm Still Here
Artist: Sia
Sia's new single "I'm Still Here" is aimed at being a big summer anthem quite clearly even though I am not convinced some of the production choices are quite right even though it does make for quite haunting ballad and Sia is conserving a lot of her vocal power and it works well as she sings about overcoming hurdles and keeping on moving forward despite setbacks. Its actually not all that bad a song.
Rating: 7/10
Song: MIA
Artists: Bad Bunny, Drake
So I groaned when I learnt Drake who is rapidly joining the ranks of over exposed celebrities in 2018 and given Bad Bunny hasn't impressed me in the past, I wasn't looking forward to this song but much to my surprise, this actually really isn't bad especially given it actually turns out to be a love song and Drake and Bad Bunny want their girls to tell everyone that they are with them and in love. The instrumentation is stereotypically Spanish but for a song feat. Drake, it's not a bad reggaeton song...it's at very least tolerable.
Rating: 7/10
Song: Light On
Artist: Maggie Rogers
If there was a song that I want to be a hit, it is this one. "Light On" centres around Rogers own self doubt and is coming to grips with the world and herself as she acknowledges her friends and family. It's all set to a pretty damn great electronic pop beat. Love it, love it. Bring on that debut album in January 2019.
Rating: 9/10
Song: Give Me My Name Back
Artist: Meg Mac
I mentioned the return of Little Mix earlier and the powerful "Give Me My Name Back" is a some way to announce the return of one of the break out female singer songwriters Meg Mac and really, this song is incredible and it won't get the attention it deserves given Meg Mac is really only known by people in Australia. Lyrically very moving and resonant, "Give Me My Name Back" is definitely a song that I will be returning to.
Rating: 9/10
Best song of the week is Meg Mac's "Give Me My Name Back"...only just though. I just think Meg nails the nuance of a poweful female statement.
Arists: Little Mix, Nicki Minaj
So here we have the lead single from Little Mix's upcoming fifth album titled "LM5" and am I the only one who is more than a little underwhelmed by this song? It's got these annoying whooping noises however the chorus is catchy and does a lot of the heavy lifting but than we get to a pretty lazy Nicki Minaj verse where she is just flexing, it sounds like a verse she'd drop on any song she's collaborated on, it seems really tacked on and kind of unnecessary.
Rating: 6/10
Song: I'm Still Here
Artist: Sia
Sia's new single "I'm Still Here" is aimed at being a big summer anthem quite clearly even though I am not convinced some of the production choices are quite right even though it does make for quite haunting ballad and Sia is conserving a lot of her vocal power and it works well as she sings about overcoming hurdles and keeping on moving forward despite setbacks. Its actually not all that bad a song.
Rating: 7/10
Song: MIA
Artists: Bad Bunny, Drake
So I groaned when I learnt Drake who is rapidly joining the ranks of over exposed celebrities in 2018 and given Bad Bunny hasn't impressed me in the past, I wasn't looking forward to this song but much to my surprise, this actually really isn't bad especially given it actually turns out to be a love song and Drake and Bad Bunny want their girls to tell everyone that they are with them and in love. The instrumentation is stereotypically Spanish but for a song feat. Drake, it's not a bad reggaeton song...it's at very least tolerable.
Rating: 7/10
Song: Light On
Artist: Maggie Rogers
If there was a song that I want to be a hit, it is this one. "Light On" centres around Rogers own self doubt and is coming to grips with the world and herself as she acknowledges her friends and family. It's all set to a pretty damn great electronic pop beat. Love it, love it. Bring on that debut album in January 2019.
Rating: 9/10
Song: Give Me My Name Back
Artist: Meg Mac
I mentioned the return of Little Mix earlier and the powerful "Give Me My Name Back" is a some way to announce the return of one of the break out female singer songwriters Meg Mac and really, this song is incredible and it won't get the attention it deserves given Meg Mac is really only known by people in Australia. Lyrically very moving and resonant, "Give Me My Name Back" is definitely a song that I will be returning to.
Rating: 9/10
Best song of the week is Meg Mac's "Give Me My Name Back"...only just though. I just think Meg nails the nuance of a poweful female statement.
ARIA singles top ten/ Chart Review: 15th October.
So let's not muck around here, it was a pretty busy old week this one with a lot of movement...just not at the very top with George Ezra's "Shotgun" spending a fourth week on top of the ARIA charts, it's also very likely to get a fifth week on top despite signs it will lose number one on digital sales.
Sitting at number two is Benny Blanco's "Eastside" feat. Halsey and Khalid and really it's really getting to the point of going to number one or fall away as new songs enter the chart especially considering some songs that are gaining swell.
Former number one Dean Lewis impressively hangs on at number three for another week.
"Happier" by Marshmello feat. Bastille climbed one place to number four switching places with Kanye West and Lil Piump's "Love It" which slipped to number five.
"Promises" by Calvin Harris and Sam Smith remains at number six (bit of a pity that it seems unlikely this song will go to number 1 as it is a pretty good song)
Which brings us to a new arrival in the top ten and one that I kind of expected even if the song isn't all that good, "In My Mind" by Dynoro which climbed six places to number 7. Ugh. Hopefully it doesn't go much further.
"Body" by Loud Luxury feat. Brando jumped two places to number eight, this song could break into the top 5 if all goes well for it, hell, it' forced Khalid's "Better" back to number nine.
The yoyo effect continues for Jonas Blue's "Rise" feat. Jack and Jack which fell three places to number 10.
Gainers
Well the big gainer this week was unfortunately the abysmal "Taki Taki" by DJ Snake feat. Ozuna, Cardi B and Selena Gomez which jumped from 41 to 28.
"This Feeling" by The Chainsmokers feat. Kelsea Ballerini jumped from 23 to 17 because radio realized they love a "The Middle" rip off. "Sicko Mode" by Travis Scott feat. Drake returned to the top 20 at number 19. Tom Walker has his first top 20 hit in Australia with "Leave the Light On" rising four places to numbe 20
Triple J Unearthed star Kian rose seven places to 31 with "Waiting" which is great news, good to see young Aussie talent get a shot on the charts.
Re-Entries
"Venom" by Eminem retuened to the chart at number 37.
Losers
Speaking of Eminem, he also had the biggest loser this week with "Lucky You" feat. Joyner Lucas falling hard from 19 to 34.
There were several heavy losers this week including Jess Glynne's "I'll Be There" which fell ten places to number 43. Similar for "Praise the Lord (da Shine" by A$AP Rocky feat. Skepta which skidded down ten places to 44.
"No Brainer" by DJ Khaled feat. his "I'm The One" posse minus Lil Wayne continues to underwhelm down to 23 (seriously get this limp rip off of a previous bad song off the charts).
"Healing Hands" by Conrad Sewell fell to 32 from 26 but it should make year end list which makes me very happy indeed.
"Breathin'" by Ariana Grande continues it's slow fall down to 35 from 27.
"Born to Be Yours" by Kygo and Imagine Dragons slipped down nine places to 39. "Natural" by Imagine Dragons dropped from 39 to 47.
Finally "FEFE" by 6ix9ine feat. Nicki Minaj is on its way out finally as it fell seven places to 50.
Drop Outs
Unsurprisingly both Lil Wayne entries are gone, "Don't Cry" with XXXtentacion and "Mona Lisa" with Kendrick Lamar, they took Alesso's "Remedy" with them. None of those songs will make the year end list
However there were some big hits this year to drop out, Ariana Grande's two biggest songs from the Sweetener era which was short and dramatic with former number one "No Tears Left to Cry" and former number 5 "God is a woman" gone. Both will make year end list, as will '2002" by Anne-Marie.
"I Like It' by Cardi B feat. Bad Bunny and J. Balvin is another question altogether though, it peaked at 14 and remained on the chart for 25 weeks so we'll see what happens I guess.
New Entries
Pretty rare for a non album bomb week to have six brand new spanking entries, we begin this week's dose of new entries at number 11 with Halsey's "Without Me'...meh, I barely remember the song tbh.
The first song from the "A Star is Born" soundtrack has hit the charts that being "Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper arrives at number 25 - I expect this song to jump into the top ten next week and is the best song of the six new entries
Rita Ora's new single "Let You Love Me" enters at 27. Interested in this song's chart performance to be honest. I am somewhat ambivalent toward the song, doesn't generate a lot of interest for me to be honest.
Lauv and Julia Michaels (pretty predictable really) team up for this week's new entry at number 41 with "There's No Way"
Lukas Graham return to the Australian charts for the first time since 2016's "Mama Said" entered the chart at number 42 and exited the next week in July 2016, their newest single "Love Someone" entering at number 46.
Finally, the last of the new entries is "Day Drunk" by Morgan Evans at number 48.
So that finishes this week's chart review. Will "Shallow" jump into the top ten? Can George Ezra stay at number one? Where will "Woman Like Me" by Little Mix and Nicki Minaj debut? All those questions and more will be answered when ARIA releases the singles chart for the week beginning Monday October 22nd on Saturday at 5pm AEDT.
Sitting at number two is Benny Blanco's "Eastside" feat. Halsey and Khalid and really it's really getting to the point of going to number one or fall away as new songs enter the chart especially considering some songs that are gaining swell.
Former number one Dean Lewis impressively hangs on at number three for another week.
"Happier" by Marshmello feat. Bastille climbed one place to number four switching places with Kanye West and Lil Piump's "Love It" which slipped to number five.
"Promises" by Calvin Harris and Sam Smith remains at number six (bit of a pity that it seems unlikely this song will go to number 1 as it is a pretty good song)
Which brings us to a new arrival in the top ten and one that I kind of expected even if the song isn't all that good, "In My Mind" by Dynoro which climbed six places to number 7. Ugh. Hopefully it doesn't go much further.
"Body" by Loud Luxury feat. Brando jumped two places to number eight, this song could break into the top 5 if all goes well for it, hell, it' forced Khalid's "Better" back to number nine.
The yoyo effect continues for Jonas Blue's "Rise" feat. Jack and Jack which fell three places to number 10.
Gainers
Well the big gainer this week was unfortunately the abysmal "Taki Taki" by DJ Snake feat. Ozuna, Cardi B and Selena Gomez which jumped from 41 to 28.
"This Feeling" by The Chainsmokers feat. Kelsea Ballerini jumped from 23 to 17 because radio realized they love a "The Middle" rip off. "Sicko Mode" by Travis Scott feat. Drake returned to the top 20 at number 19. Tom Walker has his first top 20 hit in Australia with "Leave the Light On" rising four places to numbe 20
Triple J Unearthed star Kian rose seven places to 31 with "Waiting" which is great news, good to see young Aussie talent get a shot on the charts.
Re-Entries
"Venom" by Eminem retuened to the chart at number 37.
Losers
Speaking of Eminem, he also had the biggest loser this week with "Lucky You" feat. Joyner Lucas falling hard from 19 to 34.
There were several heavy losers this week including Jess Glynne's "I'll Be There" which fell ten places to number 43. Similar for "Praise the Lord (da Shine" by A$AP Rocky feat. Skepta which skidded down ten places to 44.
"No Brainer" by DJ Khaled feat. his "I'm The One" posse minus Lil Wayne continues to underwhelm down to 23 (seriously get this limp rip off of a previous bad song off the charts).
"Healing Hands" by Conrad Sewell fell to 32 from 26 but it should make year end list which makes me very happy indeed.
"Breathin'" by Ariana Grande continues it's slow fall down to 35 from 27.
"Born to Be Yours" by Kygo and Imagine Dragons slipped down nine places to 39. "Natural" by Imagine Dragons dropped from 39 to 47.
Finally "FEFE" by 6ix9ine feat. Nicki Minaj is on its way out finally as it fell seven places to 50.
Drop Outs
Unsurprisingly both Lil Wayne entries are gone, "Don't Cry" with XXXtentacion and "Mona Lisa" with Kendrick Lamar, they took Alesso's "Remedy" with them. None of those songs will make the year end list
However there were some big hits this year to drop out, Ariana Grande's two biggest songs from the Sweetener era which was short and dramatic with former number one "No Tears Left to Cry" and former number 5 "God is a woman" gone. Both will make year end list, as will '2002" by Anne-Marie.
"I Like It' by Cardi B feat. Bad Bunny and J. Balvin is another question altogether though, it peaked at 14 and remained on the chart for 25 weeks so we'll see what happens I guess.
New Entries
Pretty rare for a non album bomb week to have six brand new spanking entries, we begin this week's dose of new entries at number 11 with Halsey's "Without Me'...meh, I barely remember the song tbh.
The first song from the "A Star is Born" soundtrack has hit the charts that being "Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper arrives at number 25 - I expect this song to jump into the top ten next week and is the best song of the six new entries
Rita Ora's new single "Let You Love Me" enters at 27. Interested in this song's chart performance to be honest. I am somewhat ambivalent toward the song, doesn't generate a lot of interest for me to be honest.
Lauv and Julia Michaels (pretty predictable really) team up for this week's new entry at number 41 with "There's No Way"
Lukas Graham return to the Australian charts for the first time since 2016's "Mama Said" entered the chart at number 42 and exited the next week in July 2016, their newest single "Love Someone" entering at number 46.
Finally, the last of the new entries is "Day Drunk" by Morgan Evans at number 48.
So that finishes this week's chart review. Will "Shallow" jump into the top ten? Can George Ezra stay at number one? Where will "Woman Like Me" by Little Mix and Nicki Minaj debut? All those questions and more will be answered when ARIA releases the singles chart for the week beginning Monday October 22nd on Saturday at 5pm AEDT.
Sunday 14 October 2018
New Music Friday Review 5th October: Charli XCX feat. Troye Sivan, Halsey
Song: 1999
Artists: Charli XCX, Troye Sivan
So I will admit this song hit me right in the sweet spot, a song where Charli XCX and Troye Sivan wish they could jump in a time machine and go back to 1999, a feeling that in the past more often as I get older I and plenty of others as they get older could go back and live in a particular year.
Unlike with the references Anne-Marie made in '2002' (a song that I have come around on a little bit), Charli XCX rattles off Britney Spears "Baby One More time", drive around wearing Nikes and listening to Eminem while Troye Sivan sings about dancing around to Michael Jackson as a kid in 1999.
Even better the production sounds like something that could have been made in the year 1999 but sounds as modern as anything. It's a genuinely good song, check it out and the hilarious video clip whch sees Charli and Troye impersonate Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslet in Titanic, Eminem and the Spice Girls however I do wish that they'd pulled out an impersonation of Britney's Baby One more time" clip seeing as there is an actual reference to that song within this song.
Rating: 8/10
Song: Sucker Punch
Artist: Sigrid
How hasn't this young lady had a hit in Australia yet? She's been putting out some of the best pop music around the world in the last couple of years and yet we haven't given her a hit, even the United Kingdom give her a hit with "Strangers" and like with that song "Sucker Punch" is a ridiculously quirky and fun pop song about love akin to that sucker punch in the stomach that this guy is giving her.
While it's not as good as "Strangers", it's still a lot of great fun which we need more of in modern pop music.
Rating: 7/10
Songs: TINTS
Artists: Anderson Paak, Kendrick Lamar
Okay, I can't lie, this song seems like another attempt to copy Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars huge hit "Uptown Funk" or similar to what Bruno Mars ttried to achieve with his last album (if you didn't know you could be confused and think that Bruno Mars had released a new song) but my god, this song is also just a ball of retro fun in a song that talks about getting a car's windows tinted.
Rating: 8/10
Song: Without Me
Artist: Halsey
There was bound to be a song about heartbreak from Halsey given the year she has had with the rather overtly publicised break up and subsequent reunion with rapper G-Eazy. The first real issue I have with this song is the framing, it's Halsey going on about everything she did for this guy just for him throwing it back in her face, there's no acknowledgement of what she may have done to trigger the end of this relationship - it does take two for a relationship to form or fall apart, either way there's no real balance in the framing of this song which makes it really hard to believe to be quite frank.
Rating 5/10
Anyway that's it for this week. Best is going to "1999" by Charli XCX and Troye Sivan (that song does hit a sweet spot for me, I can't lie). No more worst song as there's point in that kind of thing to me anymore.
Will be checking out the new Little Mix song where they've teamed up with Nicki Minaj (Uh oh), new Sia and the newest single from Maggie Rogers.
Artists: Charli XCX, Troye Sivan
So I will admit this song hit me right in the sweet spot, a song where Charli XCX and Troye Sivan wish they could jump in a time machine and go back to 1999, a feeling that in the past more often as I get older I and plenty of others as they get older could go back and live in a particular year.
Unlike with the references Anne-Marie made in '2002' (a song that I have come around on a little bit), Charli XCX rattles off Britney Spears "Baby One More time", drive around wearing Nikes and listening to Eminem while Troye Sivan sings about dancing around to Michael Jackson as a kid in 1999.
Even better the production sounds like something that could have been made in the year 1999 but sounds as modern as anything. It's a genuinely good song, check it out and the hilarious video clip whch sees Charli and Troye impersonate Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslet in Titanic, Eminem and the Spice Girls however I do wish that they'd pulled out an impersonation of Britney's Baby One more time" clip seeing as there is an actual reference to that song within this song.
Rating: 8/10
Song: Sucker Punch
Artist: Sigrid
How hasn't this young lady had a hit in Australia yet? She's been putting out some of the best pop music around the world in the last couple of years and yet we haven't given her a hit, even the United Kingdom give her a hit with "Strangers" and like with that song "Sucker Punch" is a ridiculously quirky and fun pop song about love akin to that sucker punch in the stomach that this guy is giving her.
While it's not as good as "Strangers", it's still a lot of great fun which we need more of in modern pop music.
Rating: 7/10
Songs: TINTS
Artists: Anderson Paak, Kendrick Lamar
Okay, I can't lie, this song seems like another attempt to copy Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars huge hit "Uptown Funk" or similar to what Bruno Mars ttried to achieve with his last album (if you didn't know you could be confused and think that Bruno Mars had released a new song) but my god, this song is also just a ball of retro fun in a song that talks about getting a car's windows tinted.
Rating: 8/10
Song: Without Me
Artist: Halsey
There was bound to be a song about heartbreak from Halsey given the year she has had with the rather overtly publicised break up and subsequent reunion with rapper G-Eazy. The first real issue I have with this song is the framing, it's Halsey going on about everything she did for this guy just for him throwing it back in her face, there's no acknowledgement of what she may have done to trigger the end of this relationship - it does take two for a relationship to form or fall apart, either way there's no real balance in the framing of this song which makes it really hard to believe to be quite frank.
Rating 5/10
Anyway that's it for this week. Best is going to "1999" by Charli XCX and Troye Sivan (that song does hit a sweet spot for me, I can't lie). No more worst song as there's point in that kind of thing to me anymore.
Will be checking out the new Little Mix song where they've teamed up with Nicki Minaj (Uh oh), new Sia and the newest single from Maggie Rogers.
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