Brer

Interesting theme choice! I've sent a song from an Italian X Factor act to BJSC before (In The Loop), so would have had that in the back pocket if I'd just left it as a potential after discovering it x

The previous albums by HAIM, YUNGBLUD and Loyle Carner all had similar-ish opening weeks - YUNGBLUD a little higher than the other two (22.8k vs. 17.8k for HAIM and 16.1k for Loyle) but I feel like his stock has fallen and HAIM's has risen a bit since their respective previous albums? Maybe that's wishful thinking though x Loyle probably most likely to be going for a third consecutive #3 album at best, Benson could definitely be up there as well. Should be a pretty decent sales week all around. (Aitch's last album also did 15.7k first week but I think it's probably safe to assume he'll drop off a bit this time - I notice 'Raving In The Studio' isn't even on this album for some reason, neither is 'A Guy Called?' although that makes more sense).

If 'Victory Lap' goes top 10 that'll be the second top 10 hit for Skepta nearly 13 years after his first! (I think we've had a thread about such long gaps before but not sure how to go about finding it x). Feels wrong that he's only had one before, and of all things it was just a feature on a long forgotten Wiley song.

I'll be storming onto the stage for the live shows with a pineapple on my head x

Sovarasma is not a different country x

At least a couple dozen people on this website (including me) definitely did know it in 2020 because it was sent to the BuzzJack Song Contest shortly after its original release x

I'll try and remember to vote in the later round(s) but I'm not going to have time to vote in this now (I didn't even notice this had started ngl oops), I always find these first rounds of 'vote for 30 songs out of a list of hundreds' quite intimidating anyway lol

Oops I did not realise the deadline for this was as soon as today, I assumed it was Tuesday again I don't have time to listen to all the songs as I have to go out at 5pm but I will quickly listen to the ones I don't already know, I guess the full ranking isn't so important if we're only voting for 3 songs x

🐁

Samples Mazzy Star's 'Into Dust' - heard this on Radio 1 the other day, it's a nice rework x

Not last yasss

Well that twist gave me a very small twinge of hope for a moment but alas the expected outcome x (would still be interested to see how the full 16 songs ranked to see who got lucky from the twist / if I came last anyway, I was definitely looking like it from the earlier votes but I did get a few slightly higher placings towards the end!) Glad that Pet Shop Boys are through despite Rollo's fears, 'Rent' is one of their best songs for me so would have sucked to see that being the end of the line for them. Sad for CHVRCHES though </3 I was moments away from just sending in one of James' weird experimental songs for the Golden Wagner for the lolz but I held back as I remembered another more palatable pick that would be quite appropriate actually. It still has no chance at all of getting through obviously but I want to give one more chance for some of you to not just rank him last by default xx (also I've sent a song from a different album in each round so far and this will be continuing that! Leaves one of his solo albums with no representation but I never even listened to that album so)

lol I finished listening to the playlist and immediately got distracted and forgot to actually type up my votes I have sent them to Calum anyway and I believe he is kindly accepting them x 1 a-ha - Take On Me 2 Mary J. Blige - Family Affair 3 CHVRCHES - Graves 4 Pet Shop Boys - Rent 5 The Saturdays - All Fired Up 6 Avril Lavigne - My Happy Ending 7 Elton John - I'm Still Standing 8 Addison Rae - Times Like These 9 Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding - Miracle 10 Christina Aguilera - Fighter 11 Charlie Puth - How Long 12 Enrique Iglesias - Takin' Back My Love (feat. Ciara) 13 Fifth Harmony - Work From Home (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) 14 Damiano David - Born With A Broken Heart 15 SASAMI - Just Be Friends The top 2 are untouchable classics but CHVRCHES coming through with another great pick there - I'd forgotten about this song a bit so nice to hear it again! and sorry to SASAMI but this song wasn't really doing it for me unforch :'(

The Christina and SASAMI songs appear on the Spotify playlist on my phone but not on desktop

The Olivia song has been growing on me, it gives me similar vibes to 'Love Me Not' so I guess it makes sense that it's also becoming a big hit. Would not complain if it can make a push for #1 (still a way off yet though).