Hold Me Closer (#750)

Ahoy,

yay - this marks the 750th entry - counting regular posts. I tweaked some tiny details. And I had a good time to put together some songs for a party playlist.

 

Last week in covers:

Most played artists:

• Madonna : Fan times + new (compilation) album context. I've checked out some new edits and remix versions of her latest compilation "Finally Enough Love".
  
• DATA LUV : New album context. You can easily forget "Ready 4 Rage", because there's hardly anything new on it.
  
• Kasabian : New album context. "The Alchemist's Euphoria" has its moment, but it also left me cold a bit.
  
• Goo Goo Dolls : New album context. After giving "Chaos In Bloom" a first spin, I'm not sure what to think of it.
  
• ÄTNA : Promotion context. A concert in town was promoted via social media, so I've checked out their latest album "Push Life". Unfortunately I did not like it very much.
  

Most played tracks:

[nothing to highlight here]

Noteworthy:

• Lady Gaga : Fan times.
• Sofi Tukker : Fan times.
• Céline Dion : Fan times.
• 070 Shake : Fan times.
  

Scrobble count:  186.419

 

News

█ Britney Spears made a duet with Elton John. "Hold Me Closer" may have a catchy chorus, but I'm very disappointed of all the audio effects, that make it hard to recognize her voice.

 

New entries

Album charts (Germany)

【01】 Cro - 11:11 : Okay.

【02】 Arch Enemy - Deceivers : Who?

【03】 Vanessa Mai - Metamorphose : Hmkay.

【06】 The Halo Effect - Days Of The Lost : Who?

【08】 Danger Mouse & Black Thought - Cheat Codes : Okay.

 

Single charts (Germany)

【02】 Nina Chuba - Wildberry Lillet : Hm, I'm not sure about this one. The production seems up-to-date, but I find it hard to enjoy the lyrics.

【10】 Imanbek & BYOR - Belly Dancer : What?! It's a TikTok song gone viral. Originally it was released in March.

 

Albums Chart Top 100 (UK)

【01】 Kasabian - The Alchemist's Euphoria : Nice.

【04】 Pale Waves - Unwanted : Okay.

 

Singles Chart Top 100 (UK)

【09】 James Hyde & Miggy Dela Rosa - Ferrari : Okay. A new peak in its 10th week.

【10】 Calvin Harris - Stay With Me (feat. Halsey and Justin Timberlake) : Okay. A new peak in its 5th week.

 

Billboard 200 (USA) - week of August 27

【01】 Rod Wave - Beautiful Mind : Who? (And what genre?)

【04】 Megan Thee Stallion - Traumazine : Okay.

 

Billboard Hot 100 (USA) - week of August 27

【01】 Nicki Minaj - Super Freaky Girl : Wow, she made it.

 

Viral Global Spotify Charts - week of August 18

【10】 Manuel Turizo - La Bachata : Hm, I can't find anything special about this Latin pop track. Meh. But maybe there is a good reason for it trending.

Cheerio!

Pink Venom (#749)

Ahoy,

using the words of DJ Khaled: another one...

 

Last week in covers:

Most played artists:

• Lady Gaga : Fan times. I think it's funny, how I'm that into her 2020 album again.
• Alanis Morissette : Fan times. I can't really tell, what made me look back into her latest era, but I'm still not sure what to think of "Such Pretty Forks In The Road". Most remixes were a bit disappointing, though.
  
• Megan Thee Stallion : New album context. "Traumazine" came out of nowhere, or was there promo? The songs have a nice production, but I'd really like to hear her singing about other topics for a change.
  
• Madonna : Fan times. 

Most played tracks:

• Lady Gaga - 911 : Research context. Tbh I'm thinking of including this track in a party playlist. :)

Noteworthy:

• John Mayer : Fan times.
• BTS : Fan times.
• Baby Queen : Yup, that one track again.
• Bear's Den : Fan times,
  

Scrobble count:  186.263

 

News

█ BLACKPINK released their comeback single "Pink Venom". Both song and music video seem to serve the usual stuff, when it comes to their style. And I find it sad, because I was hoping for something more daring.

█ bbno$ released a new pre-single for his upcoming album "bag or die". "sophisticated" has a nice retro vibe, but less catchy qualities.

 

New entries

Album charts (Germany)

[01] Amon Amarth - The Great Heathen Army : Who?

[02] Kastelruther Spatzen - Freundschaft aus Gold : Yikes.

[04] Tool - Fear Inoculum : Hmkay.  A re-entry in its 14th week.

[06] ENHYPEN - Manifesto: Day 1 : Wow, K-Pop strikes again.

[07] Neil Young + Promise Of The Real - Noise & Flowers : Okay.

[08] Kollegah - Free Spirit : Okay.

[09] Eminem - Curtain Call 2 : Is that a new album?

[10] Stereoact - #Schlager 2 : Hmkay.

 

Single charts (Germany)

[03] Bonez MC & RAF Camora - Sommer : While I have no problem admitting the catchy production quality, I really (!) hate those lyrics about easy women, jetset gangster lifestyle and substance abuse (including product placement).

 

Albums Chart Top 100 (UK)

[03] Eminem - Curtain Call 2 : Okay.

[05] Calvin Harris - Funk Wav Bounces | Vol. 2 : Okay.

[07] Becky Hill - Only Honest On The Weekend : A new peak position in its 33rd week.

 

Singles Chart Top 100 (UK)

[04] KSI - Not Over Yet (feat. Tom Grennan) : A catchy song with a strange music video.

[10] Eliza Rose & Interplanetary - B.O.T.A. (Baddest Of Them All) : Club sounds with simple lyrics.

 

Billboard 200 (USA) - week of August 20

[02] YoungBoy Never Broke Again - The Last Slimeto : Hmkay.

[06] Eminem - Curtain Call 2 : Oh, this artist seems to have lost its momentum.

 

Billboard Hot 100 (USA) - week of August 20

[05] DJ Khaled - Staying Alive (feat. Drake & Lil Baby) : Yuck. Sorry, but I can't enjoy that kind of music.

 

Viral Global Spotify Charts - week of August 11

[10] Steve Lacy - Bad Habit : Interesting sound. And I'm sure it was used on social media.

Cheerio!

FIN (#748)

Ahoy,

sorry, I couldn't finish this one earlier...

 

Last week in covers:

Most played artists:

• Calvin Harris : New album context. "Funk Wav Bounces, Vol. 2" sounds good - but most songs feel a bit similar.
  
• Razz : Fan times.
  
• The FAIM : I was revisiting their latest album.
  
• Working Men's Club : New album context. "Fear Fear"was not easy to listen to. :(
  

Most played tracks:

• JEREMIAS - FIN : What a nice collaboration between this band and Roosevelt. They could make a whole album, if I could wish for it. Lovely bop. :)

Noteworthy:

• Schorl3 : New album context. Hm, nothing too special, if you ask me.
  
• The War On Drugs : Fan times. 
• Yours Truly : New album context. Tbh I can't remember anything good about "is this what i look like?".
  
• Cuco : New album context. "Fantasy Gateway" did not really convince me.
  

Scrobble count:  186.075

 

News

[nothing this week]

 

New entries

Album charts (Germany)

[01] Andrea Berg - Ich würd's wieder tun : Hmkay.

[02] Beyoncé - RENAISSANCE : Okay.

[04] Stick To Your Guns - Spectre : Who?

[05] Beyazz - Get Numb With Me : Who?

[06] Eddie Vedder - Earthling : A re-entry with a new peak position.

[09] Hoodblaq - Be.Ela.Qu : Who?

 

Single charts (Germany)

[05] Miksu / MacLoud & Makko - Nachts wach : A new peak position in its 4th week.

[08] Luciano - Frozen Tears : A quite soft rap song with melancholic lyrics. And that's a change for this artist.

 

Albums Chart Top 100 (UK)

[01] Beyoncé - RENAISSANCE : Okay.

[06] Maggie Rogers - Surrender : Who?

 

Singles Chart Top 100 (UK)

[10] One Republic - I Ain't Worried : Okay.

 

Billboard 200 (USA) - week of August 13

[01] Beyoncé - RENAISSANCE : Did anyone have any doubts about that? Okay.

[03] ATEEZ - The World EP.1 | Movement : What? That's impressive.

[06] ENHYPEN - Manifesto | Day 1 (EP) : Wow. Another K-Pop success.

[07] $uicideBoy$ - Sing Me A Lullaby, My Sweet Temptation : Hmkay.

[08] Dance Gavin Dance - Jackpot Juicer : Who?

 

Billboard Hot 100 (USA) - week of August 13

[01] Beyoncé - Break My Soul : Okay. She went to the top in the 7th week.

[07] Steve Lacy - Bad Habit : Who?

[09] Nicky Youre & dazy - Sunroof : Who?

 

Viral Global Spotify Charts - week of August 04

[06] ROSALÍA - DESPECHÁ : A nice summer party song.

Meanwhile Bad Bunny still has 5 songs among the top ten.

Cheerio!

MATERIAL GWORRLLLLLLLL! (#747)

Ahoy,

this year's Summer got us quite some hot days... But that did not stop me from discovering new music.

 

Last week in covers:

Most played artists:

• Lady Gaga : Fan times.
• Queens Of The Stone Age : Research context. I had this idea about a radio show. that sees people get to know entire discographies to select one song. And now I have some kind of insight in Desert Rock.
  
• Bear's Den : Fan times.
• Beyoncé : New album context. "RENAISSANCE" starts strong, but for me it got pretty boring midway through. The pre-single seems to be the strongest track.

Most played tracks:

• Lady Gaga - Alice : How nice to re-discover this track after its initial release two years ago. :)

Noteworthy:

• beabadobee : New album context. "Beatopia" did not leave me impressed tbh.
• Cuco : New album context. "Fantasy Gateway" sounds okay.
  
• Superorganism : New album context. Oh, "World Wide Pop" was not easy to enjoy, even though Stuart Price was involved as producer.
• Kid Bloom : I revisited "Highway" - and I think, this is a very solid album.
• black midi : New album context. "Hellfire" is not my cup of tea, but I can see the effort, that went into it.
  

Scrobble count:  185.906

 

News

█ The Killers released a new single. "boy" was produced by Stuart Price - so it has some catchy vibes.

█ Madonna finally released her collaboration with Saucy Santana - "MATERIAL GWORRLLLLLLLL!". I hope for a music video to come out soon.

 

New entries

Album charts (Germany)

[01] Amigos - Liebe siegt : Yikes.

[03] ZZ Top - Raw (That Little Ol' Band From Texas) : Okay.

[04] Jack White - Entering Heaven Alive : Okay.

[06] Lucas Cordalis - Lucas Cordalis : Yikes.

[07] Slime - Zeit : Okay,

[09] Suicide Commando - Goddestruktor : Who?

 

Single charts (Germany)

[07] Die Zipfelbuben - Olivia : WTF?! Why do these stupid party tracks end up here? :(

 

Albums Chart Top 100 (UK)

[01] Jamie T - The Theory Of Whatever : Okay.

[04] Jack White - Entering Heaven Alive : Okay.

 

Singles Chart Top 100 (UK)

[02] Central Cee - Doja : Who? Oh, that track, which is trending on social media (TikTok) these days.

 

Billboard 200 (USA) - week of August 06

[04] SEVENTEEN - SEVENTEEN 4th Album Repackage | Sector 17 : Wow. This group is successful.

[09] Jack White - Entering Heaven Alive : Okay.

 

Billboard Hot 100 (USA) - week of August 06

[09] Post Malone - I Like You (A Happier Song) [feat. Doja Cat] : Jumping in the top ten with a new peak position in its 8th week. Maybe that happened because of the new music video.

 

Viral Global Spotify Charts - week of July 28

[no relevant changes]

Cheerio!

Please Don't Hide Yourself Away (#746)

Ahoy,

next week might be funny, because of a spontaneous radio project - but until then enjoy what I had on my playlist during my little vacation...

 

Last week in covers:

Most played artists:

• Bear's Den : New album context. Who would have thought that they would release another record this year - in this case a soundtrack for the third season of "Trying" (An Apple TV Original).
  
• Lady Gaga : Concert (hype) context. What a nice experience her Chromatica Ball was. And how often can you say that you attended a world premiere? All the hours of travelling are forgotten, when I think of all the joy in a big crowd. :)
  
• Céline Dion : Fan times. (And in the mood for some singing.)
• ITZY : New album context. Another mini album called "Checkmate" should make fans happy. But tbh I expected a bit more. Maybe my K-Pop phase comes to an end. 

Most played tracks:

• Lady Gaga - Alice : What a great album opening track. I'm planning to play it in a club soon. :)
• Lady Gaga - Free Woman : Another highlight track of "Chromatica", that grew on me.
  
• Bear's Den - Please Don't Hide Yourself Away (feat. Jade Bird) : A nice comeback single. And a highlight of their Trying soundtrack.
  
• Jessie Ware - Free Yourself : Nice to hear her continuing the retro disco style.
  

Noteworthy:

• Sam Feldt & MONSTA X - Late Night Feels : New release context. A nice combination. The music video (on Sam Feldt's YouTube channel) looks fun, too.
  
• Annie Lennox : Flashback times.
  

Scrobble count:  185.635

 

News

█ TOMORROW X TOGETHER recently had their first US concert in the Los Angeles area. And they also released another collaboration track with iann dior. However. "Valley Of Lies" does not with a music video.

█ Beyoncé just released her seventh studio album "RENAISSANCE", which reportedly is part one of a three act project. The music sounds quite funky and danceable.

New entries

Album charts (Germany)

[01] Farid Bang & Capital Bra - Deutschrap brandneu : Yikes. :-/

[02] Mantar - Pain Is Forever And This Is The End : Who?

[05] Slipknot - Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses : A re-entry in its 17th week.

[06] Sarah Connor - Muttersprache : Another re-entry - maybe because of concerts.

[07] Alan Parsons - From The New World : Okay. (Who?)

[08] Interpol - The Other Side Of Make-Believe : Okay.

[10] Bloodhound Gang - Show Us Your Hits : A new peak in its 6th week. (Are they on tour, too?)

 

Single charts (Germany)

[02] Bonez MC & RAF Camora - Letztes Mal : Oh, this one is the pre-single of "Palmen aus Plastik 3", which promises to become successful, too. The track seems to sample a 90s melody, that reminds me a bit of "All Around The World" (by ATC). It seems like the only downside of their music refers to the lyrical content.

[09] RIN - Commitment Issues : A 111 second track, that seems more like a demo to me. But hey, the Spotify algorithm likes stuff like that.

[10] James Hyde & Miggy Dela Rosa - Ferrari : The song was released in March - and now it earns its success.

 

Albums Chart Top 100 (UK)

[02] Mabel - About Last Night... : Okay.

[04] Beabadoobee - Beatopia : Okay.

[06] Lizzo - Special : Okay.

 

Singles Chart Top 100 (UK)

[no relevant changes over here]

 

Billboard 200 (USA) - week of July 30

[02] Lizzo - Special : Aw, sells were not strong enough to beat Bad Bunny.

[07] Steve Lacy - Gemini Rights : Who?

[08] ITZY - Checkmate: Mini Album (EP) : Another K-Pop success.

 

Billboard Hot 100 (USA) - week of July 30

[01] Lizzo - About Damn Time : Finally - in its 14th week.

[03] Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) : Another peak position for this classic.

 

Viral Global Spotify Charts - week of July 21

[01] Bizarrap, Quevedo - Quevedo: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52 : It went to the top.

Cheerio!

Morning Blue (#745)

Ahoy,

I had some days off and I hope, I can find some focus now.

 

Last week in covers:

Most played artists:

• Madonna : Fan times. Because of a YouTube video I felt the need to revisit her album "American Life", which I see as one of her best works.
  
• Mabel : New album context. "About Last Night..." has lots of dance beats, but just a few highlights, if you ask me. One would be "Overthinking (feat. 24kGoldn)". 
  
• Lizzo : New album context. "Special" has a quite radio-friendly vibe. I guess I will revisit it soon.
  
• Razz : New album context. Tbh I did not really process everything about "Everything You Will Ever Need", so I'll need another spin.
  

Most played tracks:

• Giant Rooks - Morning Blue : Hm, this one sounds like they tried to go all Coldplay - but maybe it will grow on me.

Noteworthy:

• V**gra Boys : New album context. "Cave World" sounds okay.
  
• grim104 : New album context. "Imperium" did not really convince me. I just like this artist as part of Zugezogen Maskulin better.
  
• j-hope : New album context. "Jack In The Box" has some nice tunes.
  
• Metric : New album context. "Formentera" sounds okay.
  
• All Saints : Flashback times.
  

Scrobble count:  185.573

 

News

█ Calvin Harris is about to hit the charts with star power. His new single "Stay With Me" features Justin Timberlake, Halsey and Pharrel Williams. The funky disco track comes with a very colorful music video - with all guests included. His upcoming album "Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2" will be released on August 5. (Vol. 1 was released in 2017.)

 

New entries

Album charts (Germany)

[01] Powerwolf - The Monumental Mass : Hmkay.

[02] Cro - Raop : What? A new peak in its 140th week.

[04] Neil Young with Crazy Horse - Toast : Okay.

[05] Marianne Rosenberg - Diva : Okay.

[06] Ayliva - Weisses Herz : Who? (And what genre?)

[07] Journey - Freedom : Okay. (They have new music?)

 

Single charts (Germany)

[03] Kontra K - Follow (feat. Sido & Leony) : Yuck. They used a Lykke Li sample.

[04] Pashanim - Kleiner Prinz : Hmkay. I expected more tbh.

 

Albums Chart Top 100 (UK)

[01] Harry Styles - Harry's House : Back at the top in its 8th week. Seems like it will become a very successful record this year.

[02] Burna Boy - Love, Damini : Who?

[04] James Bay - Leap : Okay.

[06] Brent Faiyaz - Wasteland : Who? (And what genre?)

 

Singles Chart Top 100 (UK)

[07] Burna Boy - Last Last : Hm, so that is a "Worldwide" song. Not bad.

[08] David Guetta, Becky Hill & Ella Henderson - Crazy What Love Can Do : A simple party banger with two nice voices.

 

Billboard 200 (USA) - week of July 23

[02] Brent Faiyaz - Wasteland : Who²?

[03] aespa - Girls: The 2nd Mini Album [EP] : Oh, another major success for K-Pop.

 

Billboard Hot 100 (USA) - week of July 23

[no relevant changes]

 

Viral Global Spotify Charts - week of July 14

[03] Bizarrap & Quevedo - Quevedo: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52 : Huh? What a strange title. But the track sounds nice.

Cheerio!

What I Want (#744)

Ahoy,

oy, this one went quite quickly...

 

Last week in covers:

Most played artists:

• MUNA : New album context. The self-titled album has some very nice tracks on it - "What I Want", "Anything But Me" oder "Silk Chiffon" for instance.
  
• Enigma : Flashback times. I'm not sure, if "Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi" did age well, but I kind of like some parts of it.
  
• Giant Rooks : Fan times.
• The War On Drugs : Fan times. 

Most played tracks:

• Queen Baby - Colours Of You : This one makes me calm down well. :)
• Andrea True Connection - More More More (12" Mix) [Re-Recorded / Remastered Version] : Research context. I was considering to include this in a DJ set, but this version did not really convince me in the end.
  

Noteworthy:

• BILBAO : New album context. "Shake Well" sounds okay.
• Perfume Genius : New album context. Tbh "Ugly Season" is really not my cup of tea, thanks to many complex track.
• Drake : New album context. I wasn't finished with all tracks of "Honestly, Nevermind" last week. But the rest did not change my mind.
  

Scrobble count:  185.370

 

News

(sorry, I had better things to do...)

 

New entries

Album charts (Germany)

[01] Rammstein - Zeit : Again at the top in its 10th week.

[02] Klaus Schulze - Deus arrakis : Who?

[04] Fernando Express - Komm, wir feiern das Leben : Yikes. (Who?)

[05] Al Di Meola / John McLaughlin / Paco De Lucia - Saturday Night in San Francisco | Live : Hmkay.

[06] Imagine Dragons - Mercury | Acts 1 & 2 : Okay.

[09] Kamp x Fid Mella - Zurück Ohne Zukunft : Who?

[10] 01099 - Altbau : Ooh, a nice re-entry.

 

Single charts (Germany)

[01] DJ Robin & Schürze - Layla : This summer hit song has made some news and stays at the top. :(

 

Albums Chart Top 100 (UK)

[01] Paolo Nutini - Last Night In The Bittersweet : Wow.

[04] Shinedown - Planet Zero : Who?

[08] UB40 - Unprecedented featuring Ali Campbell & Astro : WHAT!? How did this happen?

[10] The Weeknd - The Highlights : Back in the top ten in its 74th week.

 

Singles Chart Top 100 (UK)

[01] LF System - Afraid To Feel : Wow. A new peak position in its 6th week - for this retro soul house track.

[10] Nathan Dawe - 21 Reasons (feat. Ella Henderson) : Yikes, a sample made a comeback.

 

Billboard 200 (USA) - week of July 16

[05] Shinedown - Planet Zero : Who²? (And what genre?)

[09] The Weeknd - The Highlights : Hm, a big jump in its 73rd week - maybe because of the tour announcement.

 

Billboard Hot 100 (USA) - week of July 16

[04] Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) : This classic has reached a new peak position.

[09] Latto - Big Energy : This one made a top ten comeback in its 37th week.

 

Viral Global Spotify Charts - week of July 07

[01] Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) : Hm, okay. Now at the top.

Cheerio!