New Entry Review: March 2024

"Saturn" by SZA 

A brand new SZA single as a lead off to "LANA" and I was looking forward to this mostly because while SZA has never grabbed me with a full album, she does have songs that I adore (my 2023 best list will feature one such song) so how was "Saturn"?

Oh good lord, this is right up there as one of the best songs on the charts right now, I love how the song opens with what sounds like a merimba and SZA just sounds imcredible, The song is just incredibly easy to listen to and go back to. The lyrrics hit on feelings of feeling like everything is terrible and trying to find something better even if that something better requires SZA and her partner to leave and go to that other place so yeah this is fucking great!

?End of Beginning" by Djo

Ahh anorher viral TikTok song gaining traction to wind up on the charts, this song came out in late 2022 and after having heard it, I wish I was as impressed with this song as other people seem to be, the instrumental sounds great, the drums have a nice rbythm but why are the vocals so god damn buried under the instrumentation? It makes the song feel like it is missing a hook so no...this doesn't work for me at all. Next!

"Stumblin' In" by CYRIL

Oh no...just no. Not another one of these type of songs. A producer taking an old song and turning it into unrecognisable junk but quickly just to explain CYRIL is an Australian DJ and producer that got his big breakthrough with this thing and somehow this version of Suzi Quatro and Chris Norman's 1980 hit that at the time had some romantic charm to it but this new version? Nope, there is nothing romantic about this, it just reminds me of the time Kenny G played saxophone over Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" except Cyril brings in these keysand strings then proceeds tio make Quatro and Norman sound washed out as hell. Skip this!.

"We Can't Be Friends (Wait For Your Love) by Ariana Grande

Okay with "Yes, And?" looking like a dud lead single with every passing day, this is the song from Ariana Grande's new album that appears to have some legs on the charts and is sticking around even if I I would have preferred "Supernatural" to be the song from "Eternal Sunshine" that absolutely smashes the charts as this is pretty middle of the road for Ariana as in its not precisely bad. its just forgettable given its another pop song in the vein of how she can't be friends with this guy given she wants a relationship... it feels a bit dime a dozen, that's all.

"Whatever She Wants" by Bryson Tiller

Kind of surprised that Bryson Tiller of all people turned up on the ARIA singles chart with any kind of momentum especially as I have never really thought of him as being all that interesting in his lane of hip hop but none the less, this song did turn up so what did we get? It's fine...I don't hate it, Bryson Tiller can ride this beat pretty well and he seems all ready to buy whatever this woman wants be it the brand names etc, I just wish it didn't feel like it was more empty flexing to say he can spend all this money so easily but check this out if you are curious

"Austin" by Dasha

So with the onslaught of country on the ARIA top 50 singles chatt these days, it's interesting that we have a relative no name make her debut on the charts although I will admit calling Dasha country is a stretch but just quickly Dasha is from California and her song "Austin" went viral on Tik Tok (makes me wonder what people will do for music discovery when TikTok is banned and that appears to only be a matter of time) so what do I make of this?

Well it's another of those songs that I think is absolutely fine even if I think it feels a bit too cookie cutter for it's own good but Dasha has the vocals to sell this song well even if I do get some of the criticisms. Check it out if you are curious.

"Fri(end)s" by V

So members of BTS are continuing to chart solo jaunts while the band is on a break with several members doing their time in military service in South Korea, V being the one that can pull off a smooth and somewhat funky sound that really actually works, I say all this because I feel like this song goes away from what makes V's sound really work, it sounds kind of rough in a way that doesn't flatter V at all. Bit disappointing if I am going to be honest.

Worst of the Month: "Stumblin In" by Cyril

Dishonourable Mention: "Fri(end)s" by V

Honourable Mention: "Whatever She Wants" by Bryson Tiller

Best of the Month: "Saturn" by SZA

ARIA New Entry Review: February 2024

"Praise Jah in the Moonlight" by YG Marley

Gahh, I have been watching this song blow up around the world and was hoping it wouldn't in Australia but it charted so I guess I will have to talk about it so here we go. YG Marley is an American singer songwriter whose mother is Lauryn Hill of The Fugees and his grandfather is reggae pioneer and legend Bob Marley which is why it pains me to say that I do not like this song at all. 

The vocals just sound messy and YG Marley's vocals do nothing to sell me on the song, it just feels like it is underproduced to a very large degree especially with all the noises around Marley's vocals...yeah, I am avoiding this one.

"Murder On the Dancefloor (Triple J Like a Version)" by Royel Otis

Oh. how to explain this one, Royel Otis are an Australian guitar pop duo from Sydney with thiis being their first appearance on the ARIA singles chart with a cover of the recently viral early 2000s smash "Murder on the Dancefloor" by Sophie Ellis-Bextor and I just love this cover!. It sounds big and somewhat grandiose...it sounds like something I would have heard around 2005 or 2006 during the pop rock explosion that hit the charts than. The instrumrntal gives the song are sense of drama and scale. I dig it, good job Royel Otis.

"Texas Hold 'Em" by Beyoncè

When I heard that Beyonce was shifting toward country, I was cautiously curious, mostly because of the fact I knew that to some degree she likely did have some understanding of the genre given her upbringing but wary because of just how many acts in pop etc that have commodified country for a quick buck given how folk and country have become huge on the charts in recent years...that said Beyonce was raised in Texas and maybe an awareness of the country scene in Texas would be in built within this song.

Well yeah, this song blew me away when I first heard it almost to the point where I thought that maybe I am too easily impressed  with this sort of thing, put simply this song is a hoedown that is made for line dancing with that stomp clap rhythm and Beyonce showing she can still get down and have fun so yeah, this is easily one of the best songs to chart in 2024 and easily better than anything on Renaissance.

"Training Season" by Dua Lipa

Okay so with the album name and release date now set, we've got the follow up single and while its not quite as good as "Houdini", its still pretty, I do think the repetitive nature of the intro will absolutely annoy some people and it does make me hungry for pizza...lol. What stands out here though are the lyrics where Dua Lipa makes it clear that she is done teaching men how to treat her right and that from now on she will expect a man to know how to treat her right from the get go. Good song that just isn't quite great yet.

"Home" by Good Neighbours

So am I the only one who just started singing the Neighbours theme song upon seeing the name of this UK duo? It did make me laugh a bit and it made me feel better in saying that this song is absolute junk. Seriously whats with the strangely tinny vocals and the cold sterile production that doesn't give me the feeling of being home but rather at a hospital or in a prison. Screw this song!

Worst of the Month: "Home" by Good Neighbours

Best of the Month: "Texas Hold 'em" by Beyonce 

 

ARIA Singles New Entry Review: January 2024

"LeaveMeAlone" by Fred Again....& Baby Keem

So we're starting the new chart year with some Fred Again, this time he is teaming up with US rapper Baby Keem and we'll...I am not sure....I like the instrumental here with the piano and that driving bass groove but what stops me from digging the song is the vocal production that makes Baby Keem sound like he is in a blender or something! It's not precisely bad and there is MUCH worse here.

"One of the Girls" by The Weeknd feat. JENNIE and Lily Rose Depp

Can we all just forget that The Idol existed? The show was terrible and frankly, the music from the soundtrack ain't that much better with this being a case in point, the sterile production as The Weeknd croons about breaking a girl's skin and how he lovesit when she's submissive before a hook where Lily Rose Depp sings that there's no need for love...she just wants to be one of The Weeknd's girls....yuck...this is just toxically icky in so many ways....gross... next song please!

"Yes, And?" by Ariana Grande

So after four years, Ariana Grande returns with the lead single from her upcoming new album Eternal Sunshine which features an interpolation of Madonna's 1990 classic "Vogue" and...Rrally, Ariana? If a snap back at the critics is the best you can do for lead single where she cannot convincingly sell any genuine anger or give the production any sense of bite or menace is the best you can do than I am worried for this upcoming album, it's just another gummy dance pop song that coming from Ariana is really disappointing and a waste of a potentially great interpolation.

"Redrum" by 21 Savage

I don't think this is a hot take but I think 21 Savage is better on his own than when he collaborates with Drake etc, give him some good Metro Boomin' production and he can go OFF when he doesn't have to share that space so with this song being from his latest album American Dream I was hoping that we might have a decent song here...and yeah, 21 Savage does sound menacing as all hell with that vocal delivery and that outro just slaps! Ovetall good song...unlike...

"Thinkin' About Me" by Morgan Wallen

Why, of all the fucking Morgan Wallen songs to chart in 2024, did it have to be the absolute worst song that Wallen has ever made? The lyrics are basically that Wallen can't let go of his EX girlfriend to the point where he is wondering whether or not she is thinking about him while she's with a guy that's not him...its just pathetic...made worse by production that sounds so lifeless and downtuned, its a slog of a song to sit through...ughh.

"Beautiful  Things" by Benson Boone

Ugghhh, we're really going to give this dude another hit...come onnn, seriously? This one might be worse given it gives me "Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz vibes in the lyrics. Cute this ain't...next!

"Feather" by Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter is back and thankfully with a song that is a lot better than "Nonsense" but mostly because it sounds like an at home version of a sound Dua Lipa did better in 2020 on Future Nostalgia! It's not terrible by any stretch of the imagination but it's pretty forgettable.

"Never Lose Me" by Flo Milli

A chart break through, this time it's US R&B act Flo Milli and...I have to be honest here...this feels more like a fragment of a song and not a particularly  interesting or good one especially with that synth line that's not as interesting as Flo Milli's production team think it is.

"Saving Up" by Dom Dolla

Been awhile since we had an Australian hit and we've got it through Dom Dolla. I like this but holy shit, the vocals kind of annoy me,they sound kind of squawky and annoying but given everything else...I'll take it.

"Scared To Start" by Michael Marcagi

My goodness, are the new upcoming male singer/songwriters annoying or what? This song sounds like something Passenger wrote in 2013. I'll rant more about this song at the end of the year.

Worst: "Thinking About Me" by Morgan Wallen

Dishonourable Mention: "Scared To Start" by Michael Marcagi

Honourable Mention: "Saving Up" by Dom Dolla

Best: "Redrum" by 21 Savage

New Entry Review: April 2023

"Eyes Closed" by Ed Sheeran

The lead single from Ed Sheeran's new album "Subtract" and wow... this feels like a label concession from the weird percussion, Sheeran's vocals that sound raw in a really kind of unpleasant way even if its a nod to a recently passed friend. This is definitely one to please the label as Ed is capable of better.

"Like Crazy" by Jimin

This got enough sales to debut on top of the Billboard Hot 100 and yet I am not sure why, it feels like a song The Weeknd did better in 2021/22..."Take My Breath" etc. It doesn't feel anywhere as distinctive or memorable as it should probably be. One for the hardcore BTS fans

"5 Leaf Clover" by Luke Combs

It did make me laugh that this song was released on St Patricks Day but god damn, I stopped laughing when I realized that this song is damn great, warm organic fiddle that sounds great and Luke Combs singing about how he is so lucky to have great family and friends along with an incredible career that he feels like he somehow jagged a five leaf clover. Damn great song!

"Growin' Up and Getting Old" by Luke Combs

The second of three Luke Combs songs, this was the lead single and really of the singles released from "Gettin' Old", this is the one that I care about the least of the Luke Combs singles mostly because it feels pretty stock Luke Combs. Its fine but its not anything I go back to from "Gettin' Old"

"Fast Car" by Luke Combs

Ahh... so Luke Combs finally put out a studio version of his cover of the Tracy Chapman classic "Fast Car", a cover that has been a staple of Luke's concerts for years and is a fan favourite and yeah, I completely  understand why, Combs doesn't change much here except to give the instrumentation a warm, organic country feel and Comb's gruff voice singing about the girl working at a convenience store with dreams of moving and breaking the endemic cycle of alcoholism and poverty, she watched her parents divorce and desperately wants to begin again somewhere new and do better. Is it better than the original? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Nothing beats Tracy Chapman. Is it one of the best hits of this year? Uh...yeah! You'll be seeing this on my best list in January!

"Cupid" by FiftyFifty

Okay so FiftyFifty are a K-Pop act that made a sudden breakthrough this year and yeah....this is really adorable, this song has made me smile a lot, it's probably one of the best pop songs of the year. She gave a second chance to Cupid so if you have been  ignoring this song...give it a second chance, it deserves it.

"Flower" by Jisoo

Oh more k-pop courtesy of Blackpink's Jisoo going solo aaannnnd I barely remember it. I don't know, it just feels more forgettable than outright good or bad. I just wish the song was more distinct...that's all.

"Dogtooth" by Tyler The Creator

Hey...its Tyler back with a song from "Call Me if You Get Lost: The Estate Sale" and while I think it's good with that guitar line and Tyler rapping his ass off, I just wish there was more swell or more of a change up here to keep me interested.

"Rock and a Hard Place" by Bailey Zimmerman

Well, I was not expecting Bailey Zimmerman of all people to cross over, although he is an American country rock act and given the year country is having with sustained success for both Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs I should not be as surprised as I am. Anyway, how is the song? Well, its pretty solid, the lyrics still fret over a relationship gone sour and that can be something that puts people off but ehh, I'll take it.

"People" by Libianca

Ahh the last song before we dive headfirst into a musical garbage compacter (you'll see), this song is this absolutely beautiful afrobeat song where Libianca just wants people to check in on her and pay a little attention to her occasionally. Yeah, this hits hard...terrific song.

"Search & Rescue" by Drake

Lets cut to the chase here, this is easily the most embarrassing song Drake has released since 2018's "I'm Upset".  Never mind he apparently needs a mami to rescue him but the mixing is also absolute dross. Its also very telling that this was left off his new album. 

"Slut Me Out" by NLE Choppa

Oh gawd...Australia, we didn't need to chart a song where NLE Choppa is apparently on enough of a vegan kick to want a girl to "chickpea" him and her to put her butt in his face til he gets pink eye. Yeah, this might be more embarrassing than the previous song.

"Daylight" by David Kushner

Guys, Hozier returned this year, we could have had anything from that last Hozier album over this pale Christian facsimile of a song...expect this to cop a mention on my worst list.

"Chemical" by Post Malone

Uhh...something that doesn't suck? Yeah, I dig this lead single from Post Malone, its got this driving groove under it and bright production thats an unsettling contrast to Post Malone's lyrics where he is dependent on drugs or this bad relationship where its pretty obvious things are at best explosive. I like it, its a good bounce back from Posty.

"Never Felt So Alone" by Labrinth

This song is pretty much saved from being bad because an uncredited Billie Eilish shows up to give this song more weight than it deserves. Otherwise with all the issues it has, I'm skipping it.

Worst of the Month: "Search and Rescue" by Drake

Dishonourable Mention: Tie between "Slut Me Out by NLE Choppa and "Daylight" by David Kushner

Honourable Mention: "Love You Anyway" by Luke Combs and "Chemical"  by Post Malone

Best of the Week: Another tie "Fast Car" by Luke Combs and "People" by Libianca

New Entry Review: March 2023

"Painting Pictures" by Superstar Pride

This is one of those songs that I feel l should care about more than I actually do. Superstar Pride is an American rapper and songwritter  who somehow managed to get this song to chart and well, this doesn't leave me much to say, he does have a decent flow  even if the lyrics really aren't anything spectacular so more often than not I'll leave this.

"Heaven" by Niall Horan

Waahhhheeeeyyyy, its nice to see Niall Horan back on the chart after the pandemic ruined the release of his excellent sophomore album "Heartbreak Weather" ("Nice to Meet Ya" deserved to be a hit...come on), this time with the lead single of his upcoming third album called "The Show" and I wish I liked this more than I do, the production ia as jarring as hell in the beginning with the "Ahhhhhh" and Niall singing in this weirdly forced sounding country twang, what does save the song is that is has some decent swagger, I don't hate it but I definitely don't love it and honestly considering Niall's past releases as a solo artist...that's disappointing.

"Rhyme Dust" by MK and Dom Dolla

Now for something that is a bit out of my lane here. MK is an  American DJ who teamed up with Australian house music producer Dom Dolla for this song which has apparently got quite a few fans because at the behest of those fans, this became a single and...I kind of like this? Yeah, it needs some fleshing out but I like how much energy the song has and that bass groove is doing slome serious heavy lifting. This is worth checking out if you are curious

"Ceilings" by Lizzy McAlpine

I feel like I have been aware of Lizzy McAlpine for awhile or at least long before she had a charting presence thanks to this song going viral on TikTok. "Ceilings" comes from McAlpine's 2022 album "5 Seconds Flat" and look, this is good but its midtier from that album, the sparse acoustic guitar and Lizzy McAlpine reminiscing on a past relationship. The song definitely does hit and is better then a majority of the songs here this month, check it out.

"River" by Miley Cyrus

I am not a fan of Miley's newest album, its sloppily produced and diverts back to bad pop and disco complete with some really poor writing but I will say this song about orgasms or as Miley herself so eloquently calls it "cumming" even if the production is going for a weird nightclub vibe that make the lyrics of the song lyrics feel a little sleazy but hey the hook is at least memorable so I guess it gets a pass. Oh and by the way, Miley, men do not jizz rivers....could be worse....could be Fifth Harmony's "Work From Home" where apparently the guy is such a sex god that he can jizz an entire ocean. Ehh.

"All Of The Girls You Loved Before" by Taylor Swift

Oh, a song off the cutting room floor from "Lover" where you can absolutely tell why it did not make the cut for "Lover", Taylor sounds like she's phoning it in with her flat vocal delivery and the weirdly sparse production...its fine but I am not going to remember this in a month. 

"Miracle" by Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding

It feels like we get at least one Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding collaboration at least once every couple of years however this might be the best thing they have done together in a awhile or possibly ever. "Miracle" goes closer to 90s trance and closer that decade's big beat dance music and Ellie Goulding sounds at her ethereal best... yeah, the lyrics are a little cliche but when its all about finding a miracle aka love on the dancefloor, hell, I'll take it and I'll take this song!

"You Proof" by Morgan Wallen

I need something Morgan Wallen proof. Seriously this is the first draft of "Last Night" that only sounds good after you've consumed a tonne of alcohol, it just sounds really lethargic and seedy especially when Wallen croons on the hook like he is busting for a trip to the toilet. The guitars sound sludgy and textureless...yeah, more Luke Combs, less Morgan Wallen please.

"Mother" by Meghan Trainor

Oh look, a song from the deluxe edition of that Meghan Trainor album that everyone forgot about and lets make no bones about it...this is utter garbage that not even a sample of "Mr Sandman" by The Chordettes can save it, the title of this nightmare fuel has become queer slang which you know Trainor doesn't get at all and then there' the lyrics where she calls her child a "bum" with all the flair and cadence of fucking Sam Hunt on "Drinkin' Too Much" in 2017. Absolute trash and a contender for the worst song of the year across any genre.

Worst of the Month: Mother by Meghan Trainor (duh)

Dishonourable Mention: You Proof by Morgan Wallen

Honourable Mention: Ceilings by Lizzy McAlpine

Best of the Month: "Miracle" by Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding

ARIA New Entries Review: February 2023

 "Love Again" by The Kid Laroi

Brand new single from The Kid Laroi for an upcoming album and well...I cannot be the only one thinking that The Kid Laroi's music is becoming more generic? I didn't hate "Thousand Miles" but I certainly did not care for it and unfortunately "Love Again" is this guitar based song that features Kid Laroi howling his lungs out and it just sounds awfully raw but just not in a good way...I'll forget this exists come December.

"Players" by Coi Leray

Ahh.. Coi Leray, an American female r'n'b star and rapper who has been notching success in the US for awhile now and with this being Coi Leray's break out hit in Australia, I just wish I cared more about this...it samples Grandmaster Flash's "The Message" and Coi Leray going on about how women are players too, thing is I found myself listening more to the sample than Coi Leray AND this does feel like a push to copy Latto's "Big Energy"...Coi, you can do better.

"Boy's A Liar" by Pink Pantheress feat. Ice Spice

Ahh more artists having their breakthrough moment with this song getting a lot of praise as being one of the best hits of 2023 so far so what do I think of it? Honestly... I like it but I am not sure it's quite great, the production reminds me a lot of K-Pop or at least a sound that NewJeans did better on "Ditto", its very pretty sounding and the lyrical content about this guy not being honest is threatening to blow apart this relationship, I just wish the production reflected more of that tension...thats all.

"Last Night" by Morgan Wallen

Well all cross overs from the American country scene cannot be good and this from Morgan Wallen is a case in point and look I think there's potential, there's a solid hook here and the guitar sounds fine in a song where last night both Wallen and this girl got drunk and had sex and now Wallen has caught feelings but ugh, its Morgan Wallen himself that I just cannot stand here, he sounds painfully nasal like somebody grabbed hold of his nose and won't let go.... I really do not like this.

"Trustfall" by Pink

Oh Pink, what happened to you? Why does your whole new album feel so bare of personality? I mean this is one of the better songs from that album but to see Pink making music like this for the adult contemporary radio meat market is just disheartening, you are better than whatever the hell RCA are turning you into.

"Delilah (pull me out of this)" by Fred Again...

So more Fred Again...and you know, I actually like this a fair bit more than "Rumble" especially as the production reminds me a lot of Armand Van Helden....its a vibe, I dig it.

"I'm Not Here To Make Friends" by Sam Smith feat. Jessie Reyez and Calvin Harris

So the Sam Smith album is solid but why couldn't "No God" have been the next single and not this where the hook is this shouting, overproduced junk and Jessie Reyez adding adding about as much to the song as lettuce does to salad, throw in that annoying hook and its a skip for me.

"OMG" by NewJeans

K-Pop time! NewJeans are the newest act to breakthrough and I am not as sold on this as I am with  "Ditto".and I suspect its that stiff percussion that feels omnipresent in the mix to a distracting level, I don't think its bad  per se but I wish it'd been "Ditto" instead

"Green Green Grass" by George Ezra

Nice to see George Ezra back on the charts, he had one of my favourite hits of 2018 courtesy of "Shotgun" so I was looking forward to hearing this song which was a hit in the UK last year aaannnnd...what the ever loving fuck happened here? Why has George Ezra turned to making a song that sounds fit for a Colourbond commercial or peformed in front of four year olds as a precursor to a Wiggles concert? The hook is annoying as hell and it just sounds like complete ass.... What a disappointment.

"Love You Anyway" by Luke Combs

So Luke Combs dropped his new album this month with this being a promo single and...god damn, dude is ON FIRE because this song is excellent with its warm fiddle and organic guitar, production wise, this is a really easy song to love however its the lyrics that may as well create human puddles because the sentiment is sticky sweet in that he is saying no matter what his wife does, nothing will change his feelings and he will still love her, great song!

" Lost" by Linkin Park

Rest in peace, Chester....thats all that really needs to be said here.

"Snooze" by SZA

 Finally, we have this album cut from that last SZA album but its not one that I care for with trap effects smeared over over the top of a decent piano line. As for the lyrical content, its actually just "Nobody Gets Me" except she's realizing she isn't happy without this guy in her life. Its not terrible but SZA has done better.

Worst of the Month: " Last Night" by Morgan Wallen

Dishonourable Mention: "Green Green Grass" by George Ezra

Honourable Mention: Uhh...I guess "Delilah (Pull Me out of this)" by Fred Again...

Best of the Month: Love You Anyway" by Luke Combs

ARIA New Entries Review: January 2023

 Well, happy new year about a month or so late so just a quick update...I am going to continue doing the monthly ARIA new entry review series so yeah the weekly charts current and retro are on the back burner for a bit however year end list content is planned with the top ten best hit songs of 2022 hopefully by end of February plus my usual year end retro best and worst lists this time for 2004. I am also in early stages of seeing if a best list for 1999 is feasible.

However enough of that, time to talk about the songs that entered the ARIA singles chart in January beginning with...

"10:35" by Tiesto & Tate McRae

So this song has been on my replay list for awhile now and yeah,this is probably one of both artists better songs in years. Tate McRae sounds better on this than she has on anything...possibly ever and that hook is sticky as hell...check it out.

"Rumble" by Skrillex, Fred again... & Flowdan

Oh gosh, this is one of those songs where I get the appeal but it does not quite click for me. I actually like the production  from Skrillex and both Fred again and Flowdan sound good over this but yeah something in this ain't quite clicking but objectively this is pretty good.

"Flowers" by Miley Cyrus 

So I was looking forward to this, a new single from Miley Cyrus who'd shown pretty good promise as a rock artist in 2020 only to be pretty much ignored by the public bar "Midnight Sky" being a hit in Australia, only for my excitement to turn to disappointment because "Flowers" is mediocre self empowerment  post break up schlock via early 80s bad disco updated for 2023., it just feels calculating and like this is something Miley's record label wanted her to release because the nu disco sound in pop is in the in sound at the moment...sad thing is this netted a number one

Sigh...you can have your Flowers and hold your hand, Miley but you can do better.

"VIBE" by Taeyang and Jimin

So more k-pop via Taeyang who brought Jimin of BTS for the ride and yeah, this was a load of fun! The song kind of reminds me of the early 2000s boy band sound even if like bands in the early 2000s, the song is a little over produced but it's lightweight pop that's really more about coasting on the vibe...I had fun with this. Worth checking out.

"Sure Thing" by Miguel

Really? We could not have made "Coffee" a hit? Okay seems TikTok virality helped this song from the early 2010s chart and yeah, this is solid even if I don't like voice that comes over the top on the intro as it feels rather unnecessary but these of the song is really a pretty love song, I am fine with this being on the chart...unlike...

"Nonsense " by Sabrina Carpenter 

Le's be real, this song is only here because of chicanery by Sabrina Carpenter's label and Spotify whereby Spotify changed its auto play algorithm and thus gave this song an inflated boost by it appearing disproportionately in auto playlists... I mean really? Of any song they could have inflated the streams of, they could have done better than this gummy mush of song that resort's to spouting gibberish on the chorus. I don't see this sticking around, thankfully.

"Here With Me" by D4VD

Round two with D4VD and while this isn't as horrible as "Romantic Homicide", it still feels pretty forced and D4vD sounds pretty lethargic and the song as a whole feels like vague attempt to copy Steve Lacy's formula. It's not the worst of what is here though

"The Color Violet" by Tory Lanez

Really? I am supposed to care that the public suddenly sympathises with the now imprisoned Tory Lanez enough to give him a charting song on the ARIA  singles chart? Fuck that...I have better things to do than listen to this whiny prison bird complain he'll never dance again over a limp beat...bitch, please...

Worst of the month: "Nonsense" by Sabrina Carpenter

Dishonourable Mention: "The Color Violet" by Tory Lanez (Only just edges out Miley...

Honourable Mention: "Sure Thing" by Miguel

Best of the Month: "VIBE" by Taeyang feat. Jimin

ARIA Singles Chart Top 50. New Entries Special: November/December

 "Lift Me Up" by Rihanna

Welcome back Rihanna...oh wait...no, this is not the lead single from that expected (or not?) ninth album of hers but a song for "Wakanda Forever" and is a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman and yeah, this got to me, it's this gorgeous piano ballad and Rihanna sounds the best she has in years, she is well supported by the choir and all up this song ends up being quite a deal bit moving and powerful. Nice.

"Made You Look" by Meghan Trainor

Okay...I thought we had consigned Meghan Trainor to the bin of bad artists after 2016, nobody asked for a comeback, except she's been actively releasing music for the past couple of years with Nome of it catching traction until this came along and yes, Trainor is still on her Doo wop thing on a songwhere she's bragging that even with nothing on or wearing expensive brand  names, she's made you and me look. The song is complete arse anyway so let's not give this any more attention.

"Shirt" by SZA

Hey, about time we got new music from SZA and its a song that I'd been hearing about for months so I was curious to hear this...it's definitely not as good as her previous singles but there's still a lot to like here, SZa's exploration of a relationship where things have gotten complicated and she's not at all comfortable in this situation that she wants out of. It's a dark song matched by the curdled trap production that offers no relief from the discomfort. Not bad.

"Golden Hour"  by JVKE

It seems like at least once a month, we get some no name rapper winding up charting thanks to Tik Tok  but anyway JVKE is an American producer, singer-songwriter and social media personality with this winding up on the chart and...I am not impressed, this does a whole lot of nothing for me to say. The content is the very teenage sentiment of finally spending time alone with the person you love which is cute but ehh, this merely just exists for me.

"Rich Flex" by Drake and 21 Savage

So this is the only song that I will  touch from "Her Loss" and wow...the shitty misogyny positively drips off this. I think I'll have more to say on this one if it makes the 2023 year end cause yeah, it fucking blows more biscuits than my sister's stinky butt.

"Die for You" by Joji

So this came from Joji's latest album "Smithereens" which was a massive  disappointment especially in the wake of the pretty great "Glimpse of You" and yeah, this is major drop in quality, it's really pretty mucha fragment, I'd skip this.

"Calm Down" by Rema feat. Selena Gomez 

Nigerian Afrobeat artist Rema makes his first appearance on the ARIA chart and he has teamed up with Selena Gomez for this really chill, sweet song about a romance that may not work out over a gentle guitar groove. I really dig this, hope it sticks around, also I think Selena Gomez has found a groove that works for her.

Worst of the month: Rich Flex

Dishonourable mention: Made You Look

Honourable Mentions: Calm Down, Shirt

Best of the Month: Lift Me Up

December

"Just Wanna Rock" by Lil Uzi Vert

Really? We are so desperate for anything from Lil Uzi Vert that we chart fragments from hi  and in this case, it's not a particularly good fragment, it's mostly filler over production that lacks rock edge or groove...yikes.

"Creepin" by Metro Boomin, The Weeknd and 21 Savage

Okay, with the exception  of 21 Savage's verse, this is pretty much a cover of Mario Wigan's 2004 hit "I Don't Wanna Know" , a song I have never liked but somehow I actually like this, Metro Boomin's production ramps up the unease and danger of the situation they find themselves in, yeah...I'll take this?

"Escapism" by Raye fear 070 Shake

Well finally this charts, it's already blowing up in the UK so I am pretty happy to see this here from UK independent artist RAYE and yeah this absolutely incredible, a songabout how she's doting on her husband when for some reason he decides to up and leave RAYE leaving her feeling like shit. Determined to never feel this terrible again, she seeks out alcohol, sex and drugs to help her escape except the creaking, dramatic production  is implying the very real danger that this "escapism" could have bad implications for Raye down the road. Yeah, this is fucking great. Make it a hit please.

"Kill Bill" by SZA

So the first song from that SZA album and while this is not my favourite song from the album, I do like it, the song takes its name from the film series of the same name with SZA using the film to sing about her own dark, twisted murder fantasies namely to kill her ex and his new girlfriend out of pure jealousy, I just wish the production matched the somewhat grisly fantasy vibe more, just feels not quite there, still pretty good though.

"Until I Found You" by Stephen Sanchez and Em Beihold

So the solo version of this song has been on the US Hot 100 for a month or two now but get Em Beihold on board and yeah, it does work even if Em Beihold only serves backing vocals which is disappointing as there was an opportunity there for Em to singa verse from Georgia's point of view but as it is? It's still pretty good and kind of cute even if it definitely sounds like the song was recorded in the early 60s in the production. Check it out if you are curious

"Let Go" by Central Cee

Oh God, why are we rounding out 2022 with Central fucking Cee sampling Passenger's awful song "Let Her Go"? Why? Especially AS Central Cee spends the song complaining about this girl who he had sex with but she up and left after without any after sex care...no wonder she didn't stay when you laugh and call her a ho on the hook of the song? Or that he also fools around with other girls likeshe does with other guys so that makes him as bad as her and this song just a fucking gross skidmark.

Worst of the month: Let Go

Dishonourable mention: Just Wanna Rock

Honourable mention: Creepin'

Best of the week: Escapism 

ARIA Singles Top 50 new entries special: October

 "Romantic Homicide" by D4VD

Well, it appears we are starting October on a pretty shitty note with this slice of lame indie drudge from American rapper D4vd (pronounced David) that got Tik Tok virality to notch a slot on the chart and quite frankly this song blows not even just that D4vd sounds like Alex Turner from the Arctic Monkeys having a wrench progressively tightened on his buts as he croons his way through this self pity party of a song over a guitar that has all the flavour of liquid diarrhoea. Yuck!

"Evergreen (You Didn't Deserve Me At All)" by Omar Apollo

This is an interesting one, Omar Apollo is a bilingual (he sings in English and Spanish) American singer-songwriter with this song getting traction and I have to say this is pretty excellent, it's a slice of r&b soul that these days does not get the attention it so richly deserves. Apollo is trying desperately to move on from a broken relationship but is finding it difficult to move on because he still has real feelings for this person despite the shitty things they have done to him, it's a great song worth checking  out.

"Star Walkin'" by Lil Nas X

The newest Lil Nas X song comes from a collab with League of Legends and wow, I don't feel anything at all from this, it is not a bad song but it sounds oddly calculating and sterile which is weird coming from Lil Nas X of all people but he has done so much better than this. 

"Unholy" by Sam Smith and Kim Petras

See, this is why we should have made "Diamonds" a hit because then at least there would be no reason for Sam Smith and Kim Petras to get in a studio and make this cacophonous train wreck where lyrically Smith and Petras aren't on the same god damn page, Smith is trying to get naughty over what this guy does behind his wife's back while Petras is trying to get all steamy while name dropping expensive brand! What is worse is that this song sounds like a wall of noise... awful...

"Ferrari" by James Hype & Miggy Dela Rosa

English pair James Hype and Miggy Dela Rosa get together to create a weird song where they conflate sex and Ferraris over this weirdly flat groove which I guess kind of makes sense if he is comparing his sexual performance to a Ferrari...it's just a weird song that does nothing for me, that's all.

"How Do I Say Goodbye" by Dean Lewis

Okay so this is probably the best song on that new mediocre Dean Lewis album,  I have pretty much come to the conclusion that Lewis is the Australian version of Lewis Capaldi  only Lewis seems to have more of an idea of his vocal range. On this particular song, Lewis is questioning how he can possibly say goodbye to his dying father when his father has been a big part of Lewis's life...honestly there's better songs in this vein but this has its moments, it's fine.

"Celestial" by Ed Sheeran

Okay so Ed Sheeran made this song for that new Pokemon game and I actually really like this mostly because I think it has the potential to be a pretty damn great pop rock song...the foundations are there...if only they hadn't gone down the EDM breakdown route. Also Ed Sheeran singing this to a Squirtle sounds all sorts of cute.

"Edging" by Blink-182

Oh God...why? This is not the sort of comeback that anyone could have wanted from  Blink 182, this is bad in all of kinds of ways where the production doesn't make any of the wilful immaturity on display seem fun plus the lyrics are painfully juvenile so yeah avoid this garbage...next!

"Poland" by Lil Yachty 

This only got traction because of the forced  "I took a wock to Poland" meme otherwise there's nothing much else to this pointless fragment of a song.

"Bones" by Imagine Dragons

Oh geez, then again maybe I was being harsh on Blink 182 because yeah this song might be the most irritating thing this band have released since "Enemeeeeee". That God damn painful hook that sounds like children shrieking or mice after finding a shred of moldy cheese. Ugh. 

" Miss You" by Oliver Tree and Robin Schulz

Okay so producer Siouthstar took a Oliver Tree song called "Jerk" and used a  sample that was cleared by Tree's label for a song called "Miss You", fellow producer Robin Schulz picked up the song, made a few quick changes, did not get permission and released in what seems plagiarism however let's deal with the fact that this sounds like a nuclear propulsion, it's terribly mixed and Oliver Tree's voice sounds shrill...next!

"Snow on the Beach" by Taylor Swift  feat. Lana Del Rey

Now into the first of three songs from Taylor Swift's pretty damn great album "Midnights", this one featuring Lana Del Rey on backing vocals and yeah this one has been growing on me a lot, it just manages to sound absolutely gorgeous and while I at first thought Lana was was wasted just serving backing vocals, I can't deny it works, check it out.

"Lavender Haze" by Taylor Swift

The album opener that like "Snow on the Beach" has really grown on me with its warped melody and groove that reminds me a lot of trends in modern r'n'b plus lyrics where Taylor sings about avoiding tabloid speculation about her relationship with her boyfriend, Joe Alwyn. I will also note that the hook can get stuck in your head.

"Anti Hero" by Taylor Swift

 I have been wanting to talk about this song for ages because my God, this is Taylor's best lead single to date and one of my favourite songs of 2022 regardless of it being a hit or not, the lyrics of this song pack an incredible punch with Taylor realising that she's the problem in the eyes of some people and it must be exhausting for them to cheer for her the anti hero and to highlight that she repeatedly sings "it's me, hi, the problem is me:" until her voice goes ragged. The 80s style synths and the vocal harmonies just make this song stand out. This is Taylor Swift at her best

Worst of the month: "Miss You" by Robin Schulz and Oliver Tree

Dishonourable Mention: "Romantic Homicide " by D4VD and "Poland" by Lil Yachty

Honourable Mention: "Evergreen (You Didn't Deserve Me At All) by Omar Apollo and "Snow on the Beach" by Taylor Swift feat Lana Del Rey 

Best of the Month: "Anti-Hero" by Taylor Swift (duh)

ARIA Singles Top 50 New Entries Special: September

 "I'm Good (Blue)" by David Guetta and Bebe Rexha

Oh good lord, I guess it makes sense that these two would jump on a sample of Eiffel 65's 2000 hit "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" like everybody LAST YEAR was doing out of sheer desperation for a hit so this really is trend chasing except it shows that Guetta is out of ideas and this trend was played out last fucking year, Bebe Rexha sounds nasal and for somebody claiming she's good...she sounds miserable. One of the worst songs of the year!

"Hold Me Closer" by Elton John and Britney Spears

This is exactly why we should not have allowed "Cold Heart" to become a massive hit last year because it gaves Elton John a convenient to mash more of his back catalogue together into a greasy sounding homogeneous clusterfuck this time using "Don't Go Breaking Heart", "The One" and "Tiny Dancer" and like "Cold Heart", it saps both Elton and Britney of their personalities while destroying two absolute classics. Elton, please stop this!

"Something In the Orange" by Zach Bryan

Uhh... what the hell? Oklahoma singer songwriter and independent country artist Zach Bryan makes a surprise but very welcome debut on the ARIA singles chart with this song from his album this year "American Heartbreak" and yeah, I love this! It's a dark, broody song about the end of a relationship and my goodness, it makes use of negative space and and atmosphere to create the dark and haunting atmosphere, I cannot believe this charted but I am so happy it did.

"New Gold" by Gorillaz, Tame Impala and Bootie Brown

Oh so here's another surprise...only unfortunately this is nowhere as good as I was hoping with those annoying beeps that sound like some emergency is about to happen before more electronics hit Kevin Parker 's hook, it just doesn't sound good or come together that well...next!

"2 Be Loved (Am I ready)" by Lizzo

Well, it's fairly clear the 80s called because song sounds like something that would fit on a Jane Fonda workout tape, it's a song where Lizzo is asking herself if she's ready to be loved however this just doesn't work for me due to how oddly stiff and cheap the song sounds, there's just no nervous tension  to the production which you would think a song like this would need.

"Beautiful Crazy" by Luke Combs

I kind of suspected that in the wake of "The Kind of Love We Make" becoming a surprise hit this year that we were going to get older Luke Combs songs and well...the production is pretty with fiddle playing off a guitar but my problem is with the content about how this girl is beautiful but she's crazy yet there's nothing in the song that make me believe she's crazy...yeah she makes plans and changes her mind...that ain't crazy, Luke!

"When It Rains, It Pours" by Luke Combs 

Second Luke Combs song and well, okay, it's a genuine country song with a gentle guitar rollick and drum machines but again the problem here is the lyrics where this girl leaves him and now he is having all this good luck and is using his good fortune to be sour towards this girl and her mother and that kind of thing just puts me off the song.

"Forget Me" by Lewis Capaldi

The dreaded return of Lewis Capaldi and you know this not bad? Yeah the lyrics are still sour and again Capaldi sounds like he has no real idea of his vocal range or he has been violently kicked in the scrotum on the hook however I really like the melody courtesy of that piano so yeah, I don't mind this.

"Bound 2" by Kanye West

No...just no...

"Hotel" by Montell Fish

Okay, Christian artist Montell Fish had his break through on Tik Tok hence landing on the singles chart and...well, I don't hear the appeal at all, fuzzed out guitar because the song drops so we can hear Fish doing his best crooning The Weeknd impression which really did nothing for so let's just move on...

"Billie Eilish" by Armani White

Okay, this is blatant clickbait, using Billie Eilish's name just to get attention for your clunky trap song that's all about flexing and gun play, the only thing saving this is the fact that White has some charisma and energy compared to many in his genre but that won't make me come back to this.

"Shut Down" by Blackpink 

So this was the only song from that Blackpink album apart from "Pink Venom" to chart and this is not one of the better songs from that album with the squealing instrumentation that would cause dogs to run off bridges and the girls are trying so hard to be aggressive and 'shut down' those who do them wrong, it's kind of adorable but otherwise it sounds like a R ihanna 2015 reject.

Worst: "I'm Good (Blue)" by David Guetta and Bebe Rexha 

Dishonourable mention: "Hold Me Closer" by Elton John and Britney Spears

Honourable Mention: "Forget Me " by Lewis Capaldi 

Best of the Week: "Something In the Orange" by Zach Bryan

ARIA Singles Top 50 Special: August

 Kind of hoping August is better in terms of the new entries especially with how busy it was!

"Are You Entertained?" by Russ feat Ed Sheeran

Okay, we're starting with a new single from mediocre American rapper Russ who has had some success in the US, he teamed up with Ed Sheeran for this and...it's fine? I am not too keen on the content in Russ's verse where mentions 'retiring your parent'...come on dude however the trap production sounds good and Ed Sheeran sounds solid as hell rapping so yeah this is better than I expected.

"Remember" by Becky Hill and David Guetta

Sigh...I have never cared for either Becky Hill or David Guetta, mostly Becky Hill is not all that interesting vocals wise and David Guetta's pass ran out in 2010 so I was worried about this song. 

Turns out my worries were warranted because this is a pretty generic EDM song, sure Guetta gives Hill's weak vocals room to breathe but the lyrics feel clingy and the production feels too chipper to match the content...next!

"The 30th" by Billie Eilish 

Not surprising Billie Eilish dropped a doubled sided single, she did that with success with "Everything I Wanted" in 2020 and with this being the B side, I was curious about what this song had to offer so what did we get?

Uhh, this is genuinely excellent, it's a song about somebody Billie loves being in a car accident, Billie's fears for this person and the realisation that this friend escaped the crash alive however its the production that tips this into greatness with Finneas smartly creating a tense nervous atmosphere at first reflective of worry before the tension builds ands dissipates into joy as Billie shouts "You're alive" over and over so yeah this is a master-class...check this out!

"TV" by Billie Eilish 

So this is the single from the EP, it's dark acoustic song where slams the world for gawking at the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial while ignoring the there's bigger and more systemic issues for American women confront like the overturn of Roe v. Wade and the subsequent loss of easy abortion access for women and how watching TV helped Billie ignore the relationship issues she was facing. 

Yeah this a pretty good yet confronting song that people will overlook because nobody wants confronting truth in pop music these days just like how people willingly want to ignore issues plaguing society through watching sport. Just saying.

"Doja" by Central Cee

So I don't care for Central Cee, everything I've heard from him is either mediocre or downright ass so I was dreading and yeah, this is complete garbage that samples Gwen Stefani and Eve's 2001 hit "Let Me Blow Your Mind" before diving heard first into rickety percussion and Central Cee opening his verse with "How can I be homophobic, my bitch is gay" which for fucking obvious reasons is stupid, she's bisexuality if she's into men and women! 

This whole song just feels like a grab for attention especially with the name dropping of Doja Cat so yeah the next time, this will get attention on the worst list because this is fucking garbage.

"Die for You" by The Weeknd

Australia, what the hell? You could have made "Out Of Time" a hit instead of a song from The Weeknd's 2016 album "Starboy", it went viral this year on Tik Tok. Content wise, it's The Weeknd feeling conflicted about the end of his relationship due to the very real feelings he still has for her, he still loves her.

I just wish the production did not sound so headache inducing with squelching facts noise over The Weeknd singing, there's better on Starboy...next!

"Another Love" by Tom Odell

Another song that went viral courtesy of it becoming something of an anthem for Ukrainian resistance against Russia, this time from British singer songwriter Tom Odell with this particular song being from his 2013 debut single which peaked at number ten in its original run in the UK and I have today, this is actually a really sad but well crafted song about his own frustration and anger at falling for this girl he just cannot be with.

What tips this toward excellent is the gentle piano at the beginning before the song slowly builds momentum from the second verse as the pianos ramp up the anger and the backing vocals kick in so yeah I like this...check it out.

"Sweater Weather" by The Neighbourhood 

So turning now to another 2013 song this time from American alternative band The Neighbourhood and wow the mixing is a mess to the point I cannot point to a defining melody and those vocals do nothing for so I'll pass.

"Summer Renaissance" by Beyonce

Alright, time to deal with the Beyonce album bomb with this being the first of three songs I am covering from it and I went into this hoping it is better than "Break My Soul" which has only gotten increasingly more annoying as time has passed this year and unfortunately this feels like a clattering and messy noise fest like they are trying to merge two or three different ideas into one song which includes sampling Donna Summer's "I Feel Love". Ehh, not a fan

"Alien Superstar" by Beyonce

Second Beyonce song and again we have another interpolation of "I'm Too Sexy" by Right Said Fred but oof, this is just not good especially as this air of arrogance that you'd think Beyonce would better than. It's not the worst song I've heard but it's sure disappointing.

"Cuff It" by Beyonce

The last of the Beyonce songs and this is probably the best of three songs with its bouncy groove and a sound that reminds me a lot of Donna Summer's 70s music. Yeah, the writing feels a little clunky but regardless, I'll take it.

"Snap" by Rosa Linn

Oh wow, this isn't the song from Eurovision I expected to go viral on Tik Tok but anyway this is Armenian artist Rosa Linn's big breakthrough...I just wish the song was better especially as the music reminds me a lot of "Ho Hey" by The Lumineers (a song I don't particularly care for) with very pop folk adjacent sound. The content of the song is fine enough where she is musing on getting rid of this ex before she snaps or breaks. Ehh, it's okay...I guess?

"Numb" by Marshello & Khalid

So a collab between Marshmellow and Khalid, Khalid has been releasing singles of his own this with no real chart impact (disappointing given "Skyline" is great) so how is this song?

It's fine? My two biggest issues are the annoying knock of the beat at the end of the chorus while Khalid repeats the word "numb" into incoherence and how "I, I wanna get numb. And forget where I'm from" can be misheard as "I, I wanna get numb and fuck you out in front" but otherwise this is a pretty chipper song that would kill it during summer

"Not Over Yet" by KSI feat. Tom Grennan

Okay, KSI is back with a new single, this time with crooner Tom Grennan. I have say this pretty solid. It's got a good hook and a decent drum rhythm with the content of the song being about self doubt and KSI's struggle to overcome those feelings and while I am not that keen on Grennan's vocal delivery in the latter half of the song, it's still one of KSI's best to date.

"Love Lost" by Mac Miller

So I am going to be honest here, Mac Miller's music has never been my thing, I just never cared for it but anyway this song is from Miller's 2011 mixtape "I Love Life, Thank You" and the sample of Temper Trap's song of the same name gives the song a solid bounce and groove. Just a shame the writing feels a bit weird and clunky so it just does not work in the way I was hoping, it's not bad though.

"Bad Decisions" by Benny Blanco, BTS and Snoop Dogg

Well got to say I saw two thirds of this collaboration coming but what the hell is Snoop Dogg doing here? Well it turns out he shares a pretty stilted verse with Jung Kook before having a verse to himself, the issue here though is the production, there's no sense of danger in it to make anyone think there's going to be consequences  for the bade decisions, it's just forgettable pop EDM fluff.

"Under the Influence" by Chris Brown 

Oh get fucked. I'm not going to be engaging with or indulging with the attempted redemption arc of Chris Brown . I don't care this crap went viral. Fuck it off.

"Staying Alive" by DJ Khaled feat. Drake and Lil Baby

So I am not going to preamble with this song because it's fucking dreadful which keeps up DJ Khaled and Drake's record of making miserable music together and really, miserable is the correct description for this. For a song all about staying alive, it sounds like a song sung in the five minutes before somebody carks it, also to sample a classic 70s disco song like "Stayin' Alive" by The Bee Gees and turn into miserable trap drudge should be a fucking crime! Next....

"Super Freaky Girl" by Nicki Minaj 

Nicki Minaj is back with maybe her best single to date? Yeah the sample of "Superfreak" by Rick James is obvious but I like how Nicki uses the sample to give the song a memorable hook even if the elongated e is kind of annoying and the rest of the song lyrically is nothing new for Nicki Minaj but you know what? It's pretty good and that's weird for me to say.

"Afraid to Feel by LF System

Oh, this finally turned up on the ARIA chart... about time given it has been number one in the UK. LF Sstem are a British do who created this mix in 2019 which includes a interpolation of Silk's 1979 hit "I Can't Stop (Turning You On)" just slowing down Louise Clare Marshall's vocals  and yeah, this might be the best bit of sampling from any song this month, it sounds fantastic even with multiple tempo changes that are set up superbly, let's make this a hit please!.

"Pink Venom" by Blackpink

I was dreading covering this song mostly because I find their production to quite often be clattering headache inducing noise and yet again this is no  different unfortunately which does prevent  me from enjoying it, not helped by the repetitive lyrics, ehh... I'll pass.

"B.O.T.A (Baddest Of Them All" by Eliza Rose and Interplanetary Criminals

Well, here's an interesting song from British DJ Eliza Rose and producer Interplanetary Criminals and samples the synth line from Lisa Lisa and The Cult Jam's song "Let The Beat Hitler, Part 2" so how's the song? Well, it's certainly interesting, it's sound is reminiscent of 90s dance hits like "Encore Une Foi" by Sash!, Eliza Roses's more nasal delivery on the verses doesn't bother me much, I like it.

Let's deal with the crap first, dishonourable mention to "Under The Influence" by Chris Brown. Worst of the month is a tie between "Doja" by Central Cee and "Staying Alive" by DJ Khaled, Drake and Lil Baby.

However  we did get some good to great stuff, Honourable Mention  goes to "Afraid to Feel" by LF System. Best of the month is also a tie with "The 30" by Billie Eilish and "Another Love" by Tom Odell sharing the honour.

ARIA Singles Top 50: Special. July's New Entries

 Due to my hiatus because of health issues, I have decided to cover the new entries from the period of my hiatus as specials 

"Hot Sh*t" by Cardi B feat. Lil Durk and Kanye West

So what on earth is happening with the rollout for this second album by Cardi B? Seems like we've heard a lot about it with multiple singles with this one being the latest and well...the only reason anyone would listen to this is Cardi B because it's not like the beat is anything to write home about or the verses from Lil Durk and Kanye West (his verse left me asking why he is even on this song in the first place)

"Master of Puppets" by Metallica.

"Stranger Things" does it again with the title track of Metallica's 1986 album and really, I will keep it short because yeah, it's pretty much Metallica at the top of their game. Definitely worth checking out!

"Sway My Way" by R3hab and Amy Shark

Well it's about time we got new music from Amy Shark, just a shame that she's teamed up with producer R3hab for a song where the production makes her sound tinny in the mix and devoid of emotion but the most annoying part is that the song takes the melody of Bic Runga's 1998 hit "Sway" and manages to turn a fantastic melody into another generic EDM cut. Yeah, this sucks...next!

"Bad Habit" by Steve Lacy

Okay so American singer-songwriter,  musician and producer Steve Lacy hit the chart after going viral for months with "Dark Red" and well, it's okay? The verses are kind of overwhelmed by the percussion but that melodic 80s hook in the chorus makes this work for me. It's good but  not great.

"Betty (Get Money)" by Yung Gravy

You could have warned me a Rickroll was coming up because yeah the sample of Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give you up" is the most interesting thing about this song from American rapper Yung Gravy. Lyrically the song is all about his chase for money and it feels so uninspired...next!

"From Paris to Tokyo" by Fivio Foreign feat The Kid Laroi

Going to say when you sample a crummy Far East Movement song. Seriously... it's not like either Fivio Foreign or The Kid Laroi are really adding much in the way of content to a pretty generic song. This is pretty forgettable.

Wow... July was just garbage for the new entries. Best is going to "Master of Puppets" by Metallica pretty damn easily. Honourable Mention to "Bad Habits" by Steve Lacy.

As for the bad, dishonourable mention goes to "Hot S***" by Cardi B feat. Lil Durk Kanye West because yeah Cardi doesn't save it from being bad. Worst goes to "Sway My Way" by R3hab and Amy Shark...thank goodness, Amy's new song is much better!