Like It Is was a brilliant comeback from Kygo, will definitely feature somewhere in my EOY. Step It Up is another good dance track this year, Don't Talk To Me unfortunately never grabbed me even though I added it to my playlist.

I suspect Kygo will be higher for you as I seem to remember the song having a lot more longevity on your chart.

Kygo will of course be very high in my chart too albeit with his Avicii 'collab'.

Thermo's hot hits | EOY 2020 | #176-180

▶️ #180. Avicii ~ I Wanna Be Free (feat. Aloe Blacc)
Date entered: 28/02/2020
Chart sales: 291,000
Chart run: 6-14-18-30-34-56-69-x [7 weeks]

#179. Ashley Wallbridge ~ Still Alive (feat. Evan Henzi)
Date entered: 13/03/2020
Chart sales: 293,300
Chart run: 7-14-18-42-49-65-91-99-x [8 weeks]

#178. Stormzy ~ Own It (feat. Ed Sheeran and Burna Boy)
Date entered: 29/11/2019
Chart sales: 293,800
Chart run: [56]-82-89-78-79-30-36-41-51-69-87-x [10 weeks (11 weeks total)]

#177. Vize ~ Paradise (feat. Joker Bra and Leony)
Date entered: 28/08/2020
Chart sales: 295,300
Chart run: 59-51-26-16-15-19-21-34-44-62-x [10 weeks]

#176. Arty ~ You're Not Alone (feat. Griff Clawson)
Date entered: 07/02/2020
Chart sales: 297,700
Chart run: 66-70-67-70-68-52-52-67-90-x [9 weeks]

Commentary

We have a number of Avicii tracks to get through as ever, it is a year end chart of mine after all. A bunch of his unreleased tracks leaked early in the year; a few earlier than that too but I felt it best to wait until after the officially released posthumous album. Anyhow the first of these on this list is another track he did with Aloe Blacc in 'I Wanna Be Free'. It does make sense this one not having got a proper release, with it being unfinished, but regardless it still sounds very much like an Avicii track and would have sat very well on 'True' with a bit of extra polishing. Next is trance producer Ashley Wallbridge who you may recognise for having released an album with Gareth Emery last year and flooding my chart with its singles - including my EOY #02 with 'Amber Sun'. One of his few solo releases since, 'Still Alive' is a rather emotional track inspired by his battle with Meningitis which sadly nearly killed him. At #178 is someone I wasn't expecting to see ever make my EOY chart again in Mr Overexposed himself Ed Sheeran, although it is as a feature for Stormzy who is the main selling point of the song, 'Own It' is one of his most commercial efforts yet but a rather heartfelt track which works. Leading producers of slap house Vize are next with their most recent hit 'Paradise', which is the first of two songs for them in the countdown. It is also the only song in the chart to feature a German rapper in Joker Bra (aka Capital Bra). His contribution certainly makes the song rather interesting even if I don't understand a word he is saying. Arty had a few songs in the chart last year, this year however hasn't been as good for him and he just has 'You're Not Alone', a rather good piece of anthemic EDM reminiscent of the early 10s.

Personal recommendation

Hey Dan :hi: :heart:

 

My favourites so far:

 

245 Lil Mosey ~ Blueberry Faygo

244 Dubdogz and Bhaskar ~ Infinity

241 Eric Prydz ~ Nopus

233 The Weeknd ~ In Your Eyes

232 Duke Dumont ~ Therapy

228 Travis Scott and Kid Cudi presents The Scotts ~ The Scotts

223 Trevor Daniel ~ Falling

222 Mecha Maiko ~ Phones

221 Hrrtz ~ Paper Aeroplane (feat. Leo Stannard)

219 Jax Jones and Martin Solveig present Europa ~ All Day And Night (feat. Madison Beer)

214 Diplo and Sidepiece ~ On My Mind

213 Avicii ~ Tough Love (feat. Agnes and Vargas & Lagola)

208 Disclosure ~ Ecstasy

207 Alan Fitzpatrick vs. Patrice Rushen ~ Haven't You Heard

201 Sofi Tukker and Gorgon City ~ House Arrest

199 Roberto Surace ~ Joys

192 Franky Wah ~ Hide (feat. Robinson)

183 AJ Tracey and Mabel ~ West Ten

 

The taste jumped out :cheeseblock: I'll try and keep up with this more regularly now! I'm particularly chuffed to see 'The Scotts' here, that grew into such a favourite :wub:

Thermo's hot hits | EOY 2020 | #171-175

#175. Kas:st ~ Hell on Earth
Date entered: 20/09/2020
Chart sales: 298,200
Chart run: 5-17-31-36-31-34-33-56-74-x [9 weeks]

#174. Armin van Buuren vs. Shapov ~ La Résistance De L'Amour [2019 EOY #07]
Date entered: 19/04/2019
Chart sales: 299,100
Chart run: [14-12-16-6-6-6-8-15-26-25-23-23-18-18-18-14-10-13-14-12-13-12-14-27-30-29-38-39-20-31-42-54-68-x]-18-23-35-39-49-x [5 weeks (38 weeks total)]

#173. Klangkarussell and Givven ~ Ghostkeeper
Date entered: 21/08/2020
Chart sales: 301,000
Chart run: 19-18-15-20-23-34-58-71-x [8 weeks]

#172. Avicii ~ Our Love (feat. Sandro Cavazza)
Date entered: 28/02/2020
Chart sales: 301,400
Chart run: 5-6-8-11-15-37-48-74-x [8 weeks]

#171. Megan Thee Stallion ~ Savage (Original/Beyoncé Remix)
Date entered: 10/04/2020
Chart sales: 303,900
Chart run: 84-93-89-94-19-27-60-71-93-x [9 weeks]

Commentary

Kas:st were a unknown electronic act for me until introduced via BJSC with techno thumper 'Hell On Earth', a song actually released last year but seemingly perfectly made for what 2020 has been, with its dark soundscape and a well chosen sample from the 1976 film 'Network'. It is quite eery how relevant the "lyrics" are today considering its age, but anyhow it fits very well with the techno synths here which sound expertly produced - there's certainly a lot more to it than the average techno song which of course helped it into a medal position for Summericia in the contest. I am still yet to listen to any of their other material but I perhaps should given the quality of this. Next up is Armin van Buuren, appearing again with 'La Résistance De L'Amour' which was in my top 10 last year. The song isn't his highest peaking chart hit for me having missed the top five, however it is now my all-time favourite of his overtaking 'This Is What It Feels Like'. It's a proper anthemic progressive trance track (and mostly instrumental), with stuttering synths and many other little things added to keep the song interesting, as well as a really good breakdown section that does its job of building the track up perfectly. Another BJSC discovery is up next this time from Klangkarussell & Givven, and with a song that became another winner for Aeroche. The former act of course appeared in my chart with their one hit 'Sonnentanz' back in the day, and finally shook off their one-hit wonder status in my chart with this track. It is a very different sound for them than what they were known for with its dark and moody synths, and is also a track that has a brilliant build ultimately paying off past the 4 minute mark – I have grown to like this sort of structure with a few of my own BJSC entries this year having likewise being long and peaking late. At #172 is another unofficially released Avicii track, this time alongside his old friend Sandro Cavazza who we'll be seeing a fair bit of in this countdown. He's pitched up on this track as is often the case with his Avicii collabs, and is another classic-sounding Avicii record that I think really should've had a proper release, and I'm sure if it were in properly mastered full HQ it'd be a fair bit higher in the chart. Finally we have the first of two appearances for Megan Thee Stallion. 'Savage' took off for her somewhat before getting a big boost thanks to the Beyoncé remix, and although I've gone back to preferring the original version now they did a great job of remixing it, putting in a fair bit more effort than is typical for a 'featured artist' pop remix. It's got a catchy hook and great swagger from Megan, making it one of my personal fave rap hits of the year.

Personal recommendation


++

Hey Dan :hi: :heart:

 

The taste jumped out :cheeseblock: I'll try and keep up with this more regularly now! I'm particularly chuffed to see 'The Scotts' here, that grew into such a favourite :wub:

The Scotts was certainly one of Travis's more interesting songs of recent times.

Strange that the collab seems to be a one-off at the moment given they gave themselves a group name for it and Kid Cudi's moved on to do his own album now though.

thanks Jade ~

All The Avici still appearing :wub: it's such a shame what happened to him, but at least he left his mark on you.

All The Avici still appearing :wub: it's such a shame what happened to him, but at least he left his mark on you.

It is so sad. I'll never stan an artist like I did with him again too, his output was so consistently amazing.

There'll be a handful more of his unreleased songs to come, along with Heaven, Fades Away, Forever Yours and... Levels (yes really, that is still in the running).

Thermo's hot hits | EOY 2020 | #166-170

#170. Just Kiddin and Camden Cox ~ Stay The Night [2019 EOY #83]
Date entered: 12/07/2019
Chart sales: 304,200
Chart run: [15-22-22-25-30-35-42-47-53-63-90-100-82-82-57-44-68-78-x]-43-34-34-37-45-x [5 weeks (23 weeks total)]

#169. Chicane ~ No Ordinary Morning (Original/The Thrillseekers Remix)
Date entered: 10/07/2020
Chart sales: 307,600
Chart run: 25-27-36-36-40-46-63-76-94-x [9 weeks]

#168. Gareth Emery ~ Welcome To Your Life (feat. Annabel)
Date entered: 17/07/2020
Chart sales: 308,600
Chart run: 5-9-20-24-25-39-48-58-85-x [9 weeks]

▶️ #167. Camden Cox ~ Healing
Date entered: 07/02/2020
Chart sales: 309,300
Chart run: 55-32-34-44-47-75-96-92-x [8 weeks]

#166. Darkoo ~ Gangsta (feat. One Acen)
Date entered: 15/11/2019
Chart sales: 310,900
Chart run: [58-76-90-x]-77-x-73-53-36-34-32-37-46-53-80-x [10 weeks (13 weeks total)]

Commentary

Just Kiddin & Camden Cox are in for another year with 'Stay The Night', having made my top 100 last year. The song remains my favourite from either artist and although Camden has a few songs yet to appear, it is the only appearance from Just Kiddin. The vocal chops and bassline in the drop make it amazingly catchy in particular. Chicane is here again with another old song of his 'No Ordinary Morning', although this is primarily here from The Thrillseekers remix which they did for the 20th anniversary album re-release. The original is a great ambient track which sadly was one of the worst-performing follow-ups to a #1 single of the 00s, which I have come around to appreciate more this year. The new remix albeit a bit more dancey keeps a reasonably chill vibe with lush synths throughout. Gareth Emery is here again, it was only a matter of time considering he has the most appearances in the rundown this year. It's the second album track from 'The Lasers' to appear out of seven and also the track that opens the album (ignoring a 30 second intro which acts as an extension to this song), quite appropriately given the title and its lyrics about making a start of your life. It also features... Gareth himself doing some vocals! Although I am glad that he gave most of the song to Annabel, as he's easily a better producer than singer. Camden Cox has a 2nd appearance already now with 'Healing', the only song of hers here without a credited producer although it is another dance effort. The song is also yet another BJSC discovery in the rundown, having finished 2nd in the contest for Hendinia. The song has some lush deep house inspired production and a great vocal performance from Camden who really proved herself as one of the top dance vocalists this year - let's hope more is to come soon. At #166 we have another rap song this time from Darkoo, a rare British female rapper who had a hit although she's seemingly been forgotten about already about as quickly as she arrived. 'Gangsta' is a smooth RnB track that sounds similar to many other afrobeats tracks that've been hits but was more interesting for me.

Personal recommendation


++

Thermo's hot hits | EOY 2020 | #161-165

#165. i_o and Lights ~ Epilogue
Date entered: 05/06/2020
Chart sales: 311,900
Chart run: 88-38-31-28-31-36-50-62-60-73-72-x-94-x [12 weeks]

#164. Lady Gaga ~ 911
Date entered: 05/06/2020
Chart sales: 312,600
Chart run: 32-44-57-85-87-x-57-29-42-60-81-x [10 weeks]

#163. Fatum ~ Train To Nowhere (feat. Dylan Matthew)
Date entered: 31/07/2020
Chart sales: 315,900
Chart run: 28-20-24-37-43-45-50-69-55-87-x-54-... [11+ weeks]

#162. Cardi B ~ WAP (feat. Megan Thee Stallion)
Date entered: 14/08/2020
Chart sales: 316,800
Chart run: 10-12-15-16-21-28-44-64-x [8 weeks]

#161. Anabel Englund ~ So Hot (MK x Nightlapse Remix)
Date entered: 08/11/2019
Chart sales: 318,000
Chart run: [23-28-27-34]-59-85-x-63-57-52-42-51-69-x [8 weeks (12 weeks total)]

Commentary

i_o & Lights released a collaborative EP earlier this year which scored them two chart hits for me, the first of these is 'Epilogue', with great progressive house production reminiscent of early deadmau5 material. It's quite eery lyrically however considering i_o sadly passed away not long ago, with lyrics and a song title that in hindsight seem to relate to the end of one's life. Lady Gaga has had a great year, getting all three of her singles in this rundown. The first of these is '911' which was just above the middle of my album ranking initially but its great music video gave it a second run later on. Trance group Fatum also have three songs in the rundown this year and the first is their most recent hit 'Train To Nowhere'. They seem to have perfected big melodic trance drops but unfortunately only about half of their singles are in this style. A place above we have one of the most talked about singles of the year from Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion, the only song Cardi put out this year but this alone ensured she stayed relevant. For me it definitely works for what it is, with it going all out to be as explicit as possible over a minimalist beat whilst not taking the song too seriously. Back to dance music again at #161 with Anabel Englund, 'So Hot' being another BJSC boosted hit (although I knew of it before it was sent). She has a lovely voice but most of her songs don't do enough in the production for me to really love them, this however is great thanks to MK on the remix.

Personal recommendation


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Thermo's hot hits | EOY 2020 | #156-160

#160. DJ Licious ~ Atmosphere
Date entered: 07/02/2020
Chart sales: 319,300
Chart run: 24-10-10-24-29-41-57-70-x [8 weeks]

#159. Tinlicker vs. Robert Miles ~ Children
Date entered: 04/10/2020
Chart sales: 320,200
Chart run: 9-8-7-4-6-7-8-8-10-... [9+ weeks]

#158. Metrik ~ We Are The Energy
Date entered: 28/02/2020
Chart sales: 320,300
Chart run: 94-60-25-29-33-47-50-63-95-x [9 weeks]

#157. Jorn van Deynhoven ~ Afterlight (feat. Clara Yates)
Date entered: 03/04/2020
Chart sales: 325,500
Chart run: 59-62-81-82-79-x-52-52-71-91-89-98-x [11 weeks]

#156. Leftwing : Kody and Camden Cox ~ Without You
Date entered: 31/01/2020
Chart sales: 327,600
Chart run: 40-28-23-25-41-57-87-x [7 weeks]

Commentary

DJ Licious continued to have a longer chart career than I expected getting another top 10 hit in 2020 with 'Atmosphere'. This one is quite different for him being mid-tempo and borderline synthpop. It goes all out for the drop which most of his other recent material hasn't really done for me. Next up is a song you're all familiar with albeit in a new version with Tinlicker remaking the classic trance hit 'Children'. Tinlicker are one of the leaders in melodic house so if anyone could take on such a classic and make it even half as good it was them. The tempo is slowed but it keeps the best elements of the original putting them alongside Tinlicker's trademark production style. A place above we have drum n' bass producer Metrik, not to be confused with the band Metric who've never made my chart. DnB doesn't usually make my chart so impressively he has two entries in the countdown this year, proving himself as one of the best (though I still need to listen to the album). 'We Are The Energy' does indeed bring the energy and is a great bit of melodic DnB, reminiscent of that short time period where songs like this could be minor UK hits. Jorn van Deynhoven is also here with two songs, the first of which is 'Afterlight' at #157. He released his debut album this year which nearly made my top 10 of the year but unfortunately it will also be his last as he just recently announced his retirement. It's a great bit of uplifting trance. Camden Cox also pops her head in yet again this time alongside Leftwing : Kody on 'Without You'. For once we get a section without a BJSC entry, albeit only because this track got vetoed. It's well worth a listen if it did pass you by though, a great bit of CamelPhat style house. I do love a good pulsing bassline.

Personal recommendation


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Thermo's hot hits | EOY 2020 | #151-155

#155. TheFatRat and Maisy Kay ~ The Storm
Date entered: 14/02/2020
Chart sales: 327,800
Chart run: 3-8-21-25-35-47-60-81-x [8 weeks]

#154. Dua Lipa ~ Break My Heart
Date entered: 03/04/2020
Chart sales: 333,100
Chart run: 39-31-32-49-67-72-69-98-x [8 weeks]

▶️ #153. Avicii ~ Lethal Drug (feat. Chris Martin)
Date entered: 28/02/2020
Chart sales: 336,100
Chart run: 13-18-20-25-20-34-40-45-58-76-x [10 weeks]

#152. DJ D-Sol ~ Someone Like You (feat. Gia Koka)
Date entered: 31/07/2020
Chart sales: 337,000
Chart run: 54-48-34-49-53-52-46-39-38-38-43-57-82-x [13 weeks]

#151. Dimension and Culture Shock ~ Love To Give (feat. Billy Lockett)
Date entered: 13/03/2020
Chart sales: 337,200
Chart run: 31-28-29-35-41-46-62-86-91-99-x [10 weeks]

Commentary

TheFatRat's 3rd appearance here is 'The Storm', an interesting track from him with the song being half-sung in... Na'vi (the language from "Avatar")! It's got some great production quirks in it too including a flutey bit. The token one song of the section that you've heard of is next from Dua Lipa. 'Break My Heart' is the first of three songs for her in the countdown. It's a great disco pop track from her again proving herself as one of the saviours of pop music. It also had the great timing of coming out during lockdown with the lyric "I should've stayed at home". :lol: :( Another unreleased Avicii song is up next, this time featuring Chris Martin who he more famously worked with on 'Heaven' (last year's #1 song). This one isn't half as good so I won't complain at it having been left off the album in the place of 'Heaven' but at least it got to see the light of day through the leaks, it is another great song from them with a great guitar riff and catchy hook about the most lethal drug of them all... love. DJ D-Sol is at #152 with the first of two songs for him in the countdown. On paper he is a person you'd least expect to be an EDM producer, being literally the CEO of investment banking company Goldman Sachs. However the song is undeniably a great dance bop. Another DnB track completes the section this time coming from Dimension, an artist who once gave me one of my biggest BJSC hits. He is now on his way towards releasing a debut album with this being one of the first singles taken from it, 'Love To Give'. Similarly to the Metrik song from the last section it is one of his more accessible tunes with a strong melody.

Personal recommendation


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Thermo's hot hits | EOY 2020 | #151-200 RECAP

200 Above & Beyond ~ Homecoming (Enamour Remix)
199 Roberto Surace ~ Joys
198 Jonas Blue and Paloma Faith ~ Mistakes
197 Don Diablo ~ We Are Love
196 Ella Henderson vs. Roger Sanchez ~ Dream On Me
195 Gareth Emery ~ Mezzanine
194 TheFatRat and Alexa ~ Rule the World
193 Nora En Pure ~ Delta
192 Franky Wah ~ Hide (feat. Robinson)
191 Disclosure ~ My High (feat. Aminé and Slowthai)
190 ilan Bluestone presents Stoneblue ~ Hypnotized (feat. Emma Hewitt)
189 Nora En Pure ~ Homebound
188 Grum ~ The Ascent
187 Nora En Pure ~ Bartok
186 Kygo ~ Like It Is (feat. Zara Larsson and Tyga)
185 Watermät and Sneaky Sound System ~ Raise
184 N.F.I. ~ Don't Talk To Me (feat. Riton and Faangs)
183 AJ Tracey and Mabel ~ West Ten
182 Armand van Helden and Riva Starr ~ Step It Up (feat. Sharlene Hector)
181 Chicane ~ Saltwater (Original/Kevin de Vries Remix) (feat. Moya Brennan)
180 Avicii ~ I Wanna Be Free (feat. Aloe Blacc)
179 Ashley Wallbridge ~ Still Alive (feat. Evan Henzi)
178 Stormzy ~ Own It (feat. Ed Sheeran and Burna Boy)
177 Vize ~ Paradise (feat. Joker Bra and Leony)
176 Arty ~ You're Not Alone (feat. Griff Clawson)
175 Kas:st ~ Hell on Earth
174 Armin van Buuren vs. Shapov ~ La Résistance De L'Amour
173 Klangkarussell and Givven ~ Ghostkeeper
172 Avicii ~ Our Love (feat. Sandro Cavazza)
171 Megan Thee Stallion ~ Savage (Original/Beyoncé Remix)
170 Just Kiddin and Camden Cox ~ Stay The Night
169 Chicane ~ No Ordinary Morning (The Thrillseekers Remix)
168 Gareth Emery ~ Welcome To Your Life (feat. Annabel)
167 Camden Cox ~ Healing
166 Darkoo ~ Gangsta (feat. One Acen)
165 i_o and Lights ~ Epilogue
164 Lady Gaga ~ 911
163 Fatum ~ Train To Nowhere (feat. Dylan Matthew)
162 Cardi B ~ WAP (feat. Megan Thee Stallion)
161 Anabel Englund ~ So Hot (MK x Nightlapse Remix)
160 DJ Licious ~ Atmosphere
159 Tinlicker vs. Robert Miles ~ Children
158 Metrik ~ We Are The Energy
157 Jorn van Deynhoven ~ Afterlight (feat. Clara Yates)
156 Leftwing : Kody and Camden Cox ~ Without You
155 TheFatRat and Maisy Kay ~ The Storm
154 Dua Lipa ~ Break My Heart
153 Avicii ~ Lethal Drug (feat. Chris Martin)
152 DJ D-Sol ~ Someone Like You (feat. Gia Koka)
151 Dimension and Culture Shock ~ Love To Give (feat. Billy Lockett)

Gangsta was definitely one of the better rap songs in the chart last/this year, always got me shuffling my feet when it came on in the charts.

 

Didn't realise Billy Lockett had been on a dance track this year - giving a listen now, sounding quite good! I'm a fan of his solo stuff but can't imagine it being your cup of tea.

Gangsta was definitely one of the better rap songs in the chart last/this year, always got me shuffling my feet when it came on in the charts.

 

Didn't realise Billy Lockett had been on a dance track this year - giving a listen now, sounding quite good! I'm a fan of his solo stuff but can't imagine it being your cup of tea.

it is one of the highest rap songs in my countdown so I'd have to agree.

I seem to remember one of his songs making BJSC, and I wasn't a fan, so I suppose it wouldn't be. Glad you like the song though.

'Hell On Earth' *.* quite literally sums up this year and was why I went with it. Not surprised you took to it of course! Dua, Gaga, Cardi B, Kygo & Zara just some other highlights here from the last few sections.

Edited December 16, 20204 yr by Rob S Claus

'Hell On Earth' *.* quite literally sums up this year and was why I went with it. Not surprised you took to it of course! Dua, Gaga, Cardi B, Kygo & Zara just some other highlights here from the last few sections.

yes, it was such a good discovery! I'm sure you aren't as I do love a good pounding beat.

Thermo's hot hits | EOY 2020 | #146-150

#150. Armin van Buuren and Avira ~ Mask (feat. Sam Martin)
Date entered: 20/09/2020
Chart sales: 339,000
Chart run: 17-5-4-4-5-7-11-13-16-19-40-... [11+ weeks]

#149. Anna ~ Bando
Date entered: 17/07/2020
Chart sales: 341,300
Chart run: 79-88-x-72-31-42-54-46-45-38-51-72-x [11 weeks]

#148. Christina Novelli ~ Beautiful Life
Date entered: 18/10/2019
Chart sales: 341,400
Chart run: [70-55-80-37-19-15-6]-8-18-36-66-25-28-46-56-72-x [9 weeks (16 weeks total)]

#147. Robbie Seed ~ My Remedy (feat. That Girl)
Date entered: 19/06/2020
Chart sales: 341,500
Chart run: 13-10-17-20-29-44-57-76-88-x-99-95-90-70-x [13 weeks]

#146. Ella Henderson ~ Take Care of You
Date entered: 19/06/2020
Chart sales: 343,600
Chart run: 10-13-28-57-62-72-75-79-97-x [9 weeks]

Commentary

Starting off the top 150 is Armin van Buuren with the first of three collabs with Avira on this countdown, although it is my favourite it didn't have enough time to rack up the necessary chart points. It is an 8-minute epic quite unlike anything Armin has done before, with the first 3 minutes being totally beat-less with just the atmosphere and an impressive emotional vocal from Sam Martin. Although he does make it very difficult to make out what he's saying, the song is about having to wear a mask albeit not one of the physical Covid-preventing type, but more about the difficulty of revealing your true self. It is a real journey of a song that ultimately ends on a sad note with the mask going back up. Italian rapper Anna is next with 'Bando', a song that made #1 in their chart early in the year but I only found whilst doing research for my Worldvision entry. I didn't send it but ultimately went on to be a bigger hit than what I did end up sending. It is an impressively catchy song for something not in English with a great simple-sounding dance beat to go alongside her quick flow. Christina Novelli is here again, this time with 'Beautiful Life', a song with lovely lyrics about holding on to the life you've got which soon goes into a trance breakdown, what's not to love? She has 3 more songs to come although all of them are with credited producers. Another vocal trance effort is a place above from Robbie Seed & That Girl (actual name). They were put on my radar by a song that'll appear much later in the rundown, with 'My Remedy' acting as their follow-up. It's a great bit of uplifting trance. Ella Henderson has her 2nd appearance with 'Take Care of You', the first solo single of hers that made my chart in many years. It was great to have her go down the dance-pop route for her solo tracks, as her voice very much suits the style and I wasn't keen on the ballad she put out last year. The song is a very care-free and happy song which was welcome to hear from her.

Personal recommendation


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Thermo's hot hits | EOY 2020 | #141-145

#145. Karen Harding, Future Kings and L'Tric ~ Rely
Date entered: 28/02/2020
Chart sales: 345,600
Chart run: 95-83-53-53-38-40-43-52-80-97-x [10 weeks]

#144. PartyNextDoor ~ Believe It (feat. Rihanna)
Date entered: 03/04/2020
Chart sales: 346,300
Chart run: 9-14-19-25-37-46-53-82-x [8 weeks]

#143. Dynoro and Fumaratto ~ Me Provocas
Date entered: 10/04/2020
Chart sales: 347,600
Chart run: 34-35-34-25-24-13-22-31-58-66-93-x [11 weeks]

#142. Nora En Pure ~ Wetlands
Date entered: 04/10/2020
Chart sales: 348,400
Chart run: 16-10-8-5-7-6-7-7-9-... [9+ weeks]

#141. Love Regenerator ~ Hypnagogic (I Can't Wait)
Date entered: 31/01/2020
Chart sales: 349,500
Chart run: 4-7-8-12-31-39-81-x [7 weeks]

Commentary

Coming back into prominence this year in dance music was Karen Harding, who got her first top 40 hit in years for me with 'Rely'. The track is an upbeat dance bop which interpolates 'Islands In The Stream', but thankfully isn't a cover of the song. It has a great MK piano house feel to it and Karen again proves her vocal talent. The long awaited return of Rihanna finally happened this year, although not in the form anyone really asked for as it was just her singing a couple of lines and harmonising in a PartyNextDoor song. Nonetheless that was enough for the song to fly straight into my top 10 and land in my top 150 of the year. It is rather good for the type of song it is though, with a nice laidback guitar sample beat, and PND's bits are decent enough to keep the song going in-between Rihanna's chorus. After sitting out of my chart for all of 2019 Dynoro finally lost his OHW status in my chart with 'Me Provocas', a rework of the Fumaratto song that I'd never heard of, and having skimmed the original after the fact, it is certainly a big improvement. It has the signature slap house sound that Dynoro is one of the leaders of alongside some Spanish vocals, me gusta! Nora En Pure is back again too this time with one of the biggest hits she's had in years - although it finds itself split between years and will most likely reach a higher position in next year's Chart. 'Wetlands' also finds itself in the current BJSC where it is being tipped as a winning contender, if only I'd got to it first! It's a real beauty of a song though taking all the best bits of Nora's style; with piano, strings and even a flute and harp in there. The atmosphere of the track really takes you to these 'wetlands' in a musical sense. To follow we have Love Regenerator who you may also know as Calvin Harris! It is the 2nd track of his to appear in the rundown, with it being the first track he officially unveiled from the project. Instantly he lets you know this ain't Calvin in the usual commercial style, but instead we get a full on rave/breakbeat track, along with a load of squeaking and a piano taken straight out of the 90s. It's not my favourite style he's ever done but great for the track that it is.

Personal recommendation


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Thermo's hot hits | EOY 2020 | #136-140

#140. Vintage Culture and Fancy Inc ~ In The Dark
Date entered: 24/01/2020
Chart sales: 350,000
Chart run: 87-74-59-33-36-49-52-78-x [8 weeks]

#139. Vize ~ Never Let Me Down (feat. Tom Gregory)
Date entered: 05/06/2020
Chart sales: 353,600
Chart run: 100-54-30-23-20-21-28-41-50-56-63-x-88-93-x [13 weeks]

#138. Super8 & Tab ~ Rooftops (feat. Christina Novelli)
Date entered: 06/03/2020
Chart sales: 353,700
Chart run: 22-28-43-52-66-76-36-57-82-x [9 weeks]

#137. Ytram and Elderbrook ~ Fire
Date entered: 06/09/2020
Chart sales: 354,200
Chart run: 55-9-11-11-10-11-19-25-32-41-43-54-70-x [13 weeks]

#136. Armin van Buuren and Avira ~ Illusion
Date entered: 21/08/2020
Chart sales: 359,600
Chart run: 22-12-8-10-13-16-26-34-53-81-90-x [11 weeks]

Commentary

One of the world's biggest DJs, Brazil's Vintage Culture finally made an impact in my chart this year with 'In The Dark'. The track is a great CamelPhat inspired dance track, which also got some song contest success being sent into Worldvision a few months after it had charted. Now on to one of Germany's biggest dance acts in Vize, a duo who have had a rapid increase of popularity this year. The track 'Never Let Me Down' is their best song yet and sounds like a song that could've easily been a crossover hit, fusing their style with a pop friendly hook. It didn't get any UK push unfortunately but it does have over 100 million Spotify streams. Super8 & Tab finished last year at #3 with one of the biggest hits of the decade in 'Burn'. They don't quite manage another top 100 year-end hit this year with their biggest hit being a Christina Novelli collab in 'Rooftops' (yep she's back again already). It's another anthemic trance track from them helped by a great vocal. Ytram is a name you may not recognise but he is in fact an alias of the better known Martin Garrix! He unveiled himself behind the alias in time for his second release under the name, although some fans suspected it beforehand as it is literally Marty spelt backwards. 'Fire' is in collaboration with Elderbrook which also got him his biggest hit in the chart since 'Cola'. It's a great melodic house track with clear CamelPhat influences (I seem to be namedropping them all the time but such is their impact on EDM at the moment) and a direction I'd be happy for him to continue down (and as it happens Ytram has a new release today). Armin van Buuren is also back again with the second of his three collabs with Avira. 'Illusion' is the sole instrumental track they did together and is a great cross between trance and melodic house. I haven't loved any of Avira's solo material yet but he seems to work very well alongside Armin.

Personal recommendation


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Thermo's hot hits | EOY 2020 | #131-135

#135. Jorn van Deynhoven ~ I Need Your Lovin' (Like The Sunshine) (feat. Sue McLaren)
Date entered: 21/02/2020
Chart sales: 360,300
Chart run: 37-45-53-80-97-94-45-45-48-66-88-x [11 weeks]

#134. Gamper & Dadoni ~ Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
Date entered: 12/06/2020
Chart sales: 360,600
Chart run: 30-35-41-53-68-65-65-70-75-62-78-65-70-x [13 weeks]

#133. Sam Feldt ~ Hold Me Close (feat. Ella Henderson)
Date entered: 03/04/2020
Chart sales: 360,800
Chart run: 7-13-18-22-35-60-74-x [7 weeks]

#132. Gareth Emery ~ I Saw Your Face (feat. Annabel)
Date entered: 17/07/2020
Chart sales: 361,200
Chart run: 6-10-11-15-18-25-36-42-56-55-47-59-x [12 weeks]

#131. Doja Cat ~ Say So
Date entered: 14/02/2020
Chart sales: 362,700
Chart run: 73-76-72-61-72-79-89-x-79-x [8 weeks]

Commentary

Jorn van Deynhoven appears again with 'I Need Your Lovin', the highest of his two songs in the rundown. The song is another cover of the Korgis song, now done in an uplifting trance style. This was already done by Marc et Claude in the early 00s but this version sounds more grandiose and the best version of the song I've heard yet. Another cover version is up next from Gamper & Dadoni, taking on the classic Abba hit 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!'. The song was actually a discovery from Sergej's personal chart although it was a hit single in Germany. It's a faithful take on the song, making it reasonably dancey but keeping the elements of the original that made it what it is (although I do wish they could've used a better vocal, if sampling the original was clearly off the table). A place above is Sam Feldt who followed up 'Post Malone' with an Ella Henderson collab in 'Hold Me Close', and almost reaching the same EOY position in the process (PM made #127). The song was perfectly timed for lockdown with the lyric "let's stay home" being prominent in the song, and is rather uptempo by his standards. A song worth checking out even if you didn't like his two actual hit singles. Gareth Emery pops his face in again at #132 with another album track of his 'I Saw Your Face'. It's a more subdued effort for him, with all the big synths gone. It is a welcome change of style though, and Annabel provides another lovely vocal on it. Lastly we have... an actual massive hit single in 'Say So' from Doja Cat, although it was more of a sleeper hit in my chart. The song is a great pop track with disco throwback production, with Doja sounding very sensual on the record. She hasn't had another track half as good for me so far however, it looks like this may well be a one-off.

Personal recommendation


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