HiyaLuv!

Their decade has been characterised by synths, anti-depressants and lemons at knife fights. What's not to love? And I HATED them in 2007! Tokyo (Vampires and Wolves) stunned me, impassioned, urgent and weirdly euphoric and bleak banger! I think I just love the early 2010s in general. Just listening to this right now. How is this nine years ago? I'm so old! "I'm sick of dancing with the beast" gets me every time. Must admit I largely thought they were empty ironic hipsters until this. Then they went deliciously dark (I know they hinted at it before with their issues with their sleep etc but that didn't quite work for me). The Perfect Disease was a great 900th single from the album too.

Forgot about Dave! And Lana, and Charli XCX etc! So much for all this "modern music is sh!te" nonsense I'm constantly fed not only by people older than me but often around the same age (36).

Sorry I'm including non-indie/rock acts in this, hope that's okay. I will highlight the ones that fit/loosely fit that description in bold! These artists' albums haven't always been fantastic but they have all been pretty, pretty consistent for singles over the past decade of so. Some of these have been around for longer than ten years but have released a high number of first-class anthems over the past decade. Everything Everything Lana Del Rey Foals Bombay Bicycle Club Two Door Cinema Club The Vaccines Friendly Fires Lana Del Rey Vampire Weekend Paramore Calvin Harris Beyoncé Jessie Ware Kanye West Rihanna Robyn (although has only had two 'eras' since 2009) Carly Rae Jepsen Charli XCX Kendrick Lamar Miguel Fidlar The 1975 Major Lazer Florence and the Machine Ben Howard David Guetta The Weeknd The Wombats (genuinely pretty great after the initial slightly irritating landfill indie era) Janelle Monáe Avicii :-( Amazing for about 1-2 eras: Chase and Status AlunaGeorge Tinie Tempah Plan B Nicki Minaj Katy B Lady Gaga Metronomy Wild Beasts Marina and the Diamonds Disclosure Delphic Warpaint Bat For Lashes Taylor Swift Yeasayer Local Natives Rudimental (really sh1t now in my opinion) Still awaiting second/third albums but great so far: Sam Fender Christine and the Queens PVRIS Stormzy Years and Years FKA Twigs Lorde Dave Jax Jones Declan McKenna Billie Eilish The Amazons Wolf Alice Grimes (I'm controversially including her here as I haven't heard the first two and they had nowhere near as much exposure) Special longevity award - not had a bad 2010s considering their vintage: Pet Shop Boys Kylie Manic Street Preachers Radiohead Eminem This probably needs a bit of work but getting there!

This has kind of been and gone for me. Have heard it on R2 a lot but not R1, never quite got me in the feels and has left my personal chart already.

This is pretty, pretty good! A Shakira-meets-Robyn vibe. Needs to get on the R1 playlist.

Wk 36: w/e 25.9.19 01 (01) Foals: The Runner (12-1-1) 02 (02) Stormzy: Sounds of the Skeng (5-2-2) 03 (05) Sam Fender: The Borders (25-5-3) 04 (07) Billie Eilish: all the good girls go to hell (6-7-4) 05 (18) Danny Brown: Dirty Laundry (18-5) 06 (08) Bombay Bicycle Club: Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing But You) (27-16-8-6) 07 (15) Regard: Ride It (18-15-7) 08 (03) The 1975: People (16-3-2-3-8) 09 (09) Yves V feat. Afrojack and Icona Pop: We Got That Cool (23-13-9-9) 10 (06) Lana Del Rey: Doin’ Time (31-8-7-10-16-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-10-3-6-10) 11 (39) House Gospel Choir and Adelphi Music Factory: Salvation (39-11) 12 (20) Kano feat. Kojo Funds: Pan-Fried (37-20-12) 13 (17) Sam Fender: Hypersonic Missiles (16-4-2-4-13-24-x-x-x-x-x-38-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x--x-x-17-13) 14 (10) Lana Del Rey: f*** It I Love You (34-8-8-10-14) 15 (04) Self Esteem: (Girl) Crush (16-2-1-1-4-15) 16 (NE) Anderson .Paak feat. Brandy: Jet Black (16) 17 (NE) Normani: Motivation (17) 18 (11) PVRIS: Hallucinations (29-12-4-11-18) 19 (16) Solardo & Eli Brown: XTC (37-9-14-9-16-19) 20 (32) Camila Cabello: Liar (32-20) 21 (40) Pet Shop Boys feat. Years and Years: Dreamland (40-21) 22 (28) Mystery Jets: Screwdriver (28-22) 23 (NE) FKA Twigs feat. Future: holy terrain (23) 24 (29) Grimes & i_o: Violence (29-24) 25 (NE) Slowthai: Toaster (25) 26 (NE) Mark Ronson feat. YEBBA: Don’t Leave Me Lonely (26) 27 (NE) Camila Cabello: Shameless (27) 28 (14) Bon Iver: Naeem (38-13-7-14-14-28) 29 (31) Kano feat. D Double E and Ghetts: Class of Deja (36-31-20-35-11-26-31-29) 30 (27) Patrick Topping: Turbo Time (31-27-30) 31 (21) Muru Masa feat. Clairo: I Don’t Think I Can Do This Again (33-21-31) 32 (NE) Jax Jones feat. Ella Henderson: This is Real (32) 33 (NE) UK Apache feat. Shy FX: Original Nuttah 25 (33) 34 (12) Taylor Swift: Lover (20-17-10-12-34) 35 (NE) Stormzy: Wiley Flow (35) 36 (13) Declan McKenna: British Bombs (30-16-11-13-36) 37 (NE) JayKae feat. Local: Chat (37) 38 (19) Sleater-Kinney: Can I Go On? (39-21-5-4-7-19-38) 39 (23) Taylor Swift: London Boy (38-23-39) 40 (NE) Martin Garrix feat. BONN: Home (40)

01 (01) Foals: The Runner (12-1-2) 02 (02) Stormzy: Sounds of the Skeng (5-2-2) 03 (05) Sam Fender: The Borders (25-5-3) 04 (07) Billie Eilish: all the good girls go to hell (6-7-4) 05 (18) Danny Brown: Dirty Laundry (18-5) 06 (08) Bombay Bicycle Club: Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing But You) (27-16-8-6) 07 (15) Regard: Ride It (18-15-7) 08 (03) The 1975: People (16-3-2-3-8) 09 (09) Yves V feat. Afrojack and Icona Pop: We Got That Cool (23-13-9-9) 10 (06) Lana Del Rey: Doin’ Time (31-8-7-10-16-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-10-3-6-10) 11 (39) House Gospel Choir and Adelphi Music Factory: Salvation (39-11) 12 (20) Kano feat. Kojo Funds: Pan-Fried (37-20-13) 13 (17) Sam Fender: Hypersonic Missiles (16-4-2-4-13-24-x-x-x-x-x-38-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x--x-x-17-13) 14 (10) Lana Del Rey: f*** It I Love You (34-8-8-10-14) 15 (04) Self Esteem: (Girl) Crush (16-2-1-1-4-15) 16 (NE) Anderson .Paak feat. Brandy: Jet Black (16) 17 (NE) Normani: Motivation (17) 18 (11) PVRIS: Hallucinations (29-12-4-11-18) 19 (16) Solardo & Eli Brown: XTC (37-9-14-9-16-19) 20 (32) Camila Cabello: Liar (32-20) 21 (40) Pet Shop Boys feat. Years and Years: Dreamland (40-21) 22 (28) Mystery Jets: Screwdriver (28-22) 23 (NE) FKA Twigs feat. Future: holy terrain (23) 24 (29) Grimes & i_o: Violence (29-24) 25 (NE) Slowthai: Toaster (25) 26 (NE) Mark Ronson feat. YEBBA: Don’t Leave Me Lonely (26) 27 (NE) Camila Cabello: Shameless (27) 28 (14) Bon Iver: Naeem (38-13-7-14-14-28) 29 (31) Kano feat. D Double E and Ghetts: Class of Deja (36-31-20-35-11-26-31-29) 30 (27) Patrick Topping: Turbo Time (31-27-30) 31 (21) Muru Masa feat. Clairo: I Don’t Think I Can Do This Again (33-21-31) 32 (NE) Jax Jones feat. Ella Henderson: This is Real (32) 33 (NE) UK Apache feat. Shy FX: Original Nuttah 25 (33) 34 (12) Taylor Swift: Lover (20-17-10-12-34) 35 (NE) Stormzy: Wiley Flow (35) 36 (13) Declan McKenna: British Bombs (30-16-11-13-36) 37 (NE) JayKae feat. Local: Chat (37) 38 (19) Sleater-Kinney: Can I Go On? (39-21-5-4-7-19-38) 39 (23) Taylor Swift: London Boy (38-23-39) 40 (NE) Martin Garrix feat. BONN: Home (40)

01 (01) Foals: The Runner (12-1-1) 02 (02) Stormzy: Sounds of the Skeng (5-2-2) 03 (05) Sam Fender: The Borders (25-5-3) 04 (07) Billie Eilish: all the good girls go to hell (6-7-4) 05 (18) Danny Brown: Dirty Laundry (18-5) 06 (08) Bombay Bicycle Club: Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing But You) (27-16-8-6) 07 (15) Regard: Ride It (18-15-7) 08 (03) The 1975: People (16-3-2-3-8) 09 (09) Yves V feat. Afrojack and Icona Pop: We Got That Cool (23-13-9-9) 10 (06) Lana Del Rey: Doin’ Time (31-8-7-10-16-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-10-3-6-10) 11 (39) House Gospel Choir and Adelphi Music Factory: Salvation (39-11) 12 (20) Kano feat. Kojo Funds: Pan-Fried (37-20-13) 13 (17) Sam Fender: Hypersonic Missiles (16-4-2-4-13-24-x-x-x-x-x-38-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x--x-x-17-13) 14 (10) Lana Del Rey: f*** It I Love You (34-8-8-10-14) 15 (04) Self Esteem: (Girl) Crush (16-2-1-1-4-15) 16 (NE) Anderson .Paak feat. Brandy: Jet Black (16) 17 (NE) Normani: Motivation (17) 18 (11) PVRIS: Hallucinations (29-12-4-11-18) 19 (16) Solardo & Eli Brown: XTC (37-9-14-9-16-19) 20 (32) Camila Cabello: Liar (32-20) 21 (40) Pet Shop Boys feat. Years and Years: Dreamland (40-21) 22 (28) Mystery Jets: Screwdriver (28-22) 23 (NE) FKA Twigs feat. Future: holy terrain (23) 24 (29) Grimes & i_o: Violence (29-24) 25 (NE) Slowthai: Toaster (25) 26 (NE) Mark Ronson feat. YEBBA: Don’t Leave Me Lonely (26) 27 (NE) Camila Cabello: Shameless (27) 28 (14) Bon Iver: Naeem (38-13-7-14-14-28) 29 (31) Kano feat. D Double E and Ghetts: Class of Deja (36-31-20-35-11-26-31-29) 30 (27) Patrick Topping: Turbo Time (31-27-30) 31 (21) Muru Masa feat. Clairo: I Don’t Think I Can Do This Again (33-21-31) 32 (NE) Jax Jones feat. Ella Henderson: This is Real (32) 33 (NE) UK Apache feat. Shy FX: Original Nuttah 25 (33) 34 (12) Taylor Swift: Lover (20-17-10-12-34) 35 (NE) Stormzy: Wiley Flow (35) 36 (13) Declan McKenna: British Bombs (30-16-11-13-36) 37 (NE) Jaykae feat. Local: Chat (37) 38 (19) Sleater-Kinney: Can I Go On? (39-21-5-4-7-19-38) 39 (23) Taylor Swift: London Boy (38-23-39) 40 (NE) Martin Garrix feat. BONN: Home (40) OUT: 22 (15) Duke Dumont feat. Zak Abel: The Power (15-5-15-22) 24 (23) Ava Max: Torn (37-23-24) 25 (27) Two Door Cinema Club: Once (40-25-27-25) 26 (21) Foals: Black Bull (18-7-3-1-2-21-26) 30 (22) Tiesto, Jonas Blue & Rita Ora: Ritual (36-18-22-30) 33 (28) David Guetta & MORTEN feat. Aloe Blacc: Never Be Alone (38-30-28-33) 34 (29) Hot Since 82 feat. Alex Mills: Therapy (32-21-19-29-34) 35 (30) PVRIS: Death of Me (9-4-1-1-2-17-24-30-35) 36 (20) Paul Woolford feat. Karen Harding: You Already Know (35-20-5-15-37-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-30-11-9-20-36) 37 (17) The Amazons: 25 (25-12-13-17-37) 38 (19) Clairo: Bags (10-4-6-19-38) Streaming

I was gutted when I found out Richard X/Kelis' Finest Dreams was a cover. I had this on my playlist a while ago but decided it was a bit too "deep house" for me.

Not a fan of M5 (except Moves Like Jagger) but they have done very well to stay relevant for so long. R1 played this yesterday - and I recall them sleeping on MLJ for ages before they finally caved in. And then played it loads as a recurrent for years after, as if they were somehow apologising.

I forgot this album came out! Can't have been promoted very well.

Genuinely don't understand why this has only got to #20, especially since his profile has grown since Glastonbury and now loads more older people know who he is. How is it going DOWN the chart? It's a bit Big For Your Boots II but still a blinder.

I struggled with this but may give it one more chance. I love the eighties but nothing off this has really had much impact on me. Love Daniel, All Your Gold, Pearl's Dream and especially Laura (a 10/10 song) though.

I struggled with this but may give it one more chance. I love the eighties but nothing off this has really had much impact on me. Love Daniel, All Your Gold, Pearl's Dream and especially Laura (a 10/10 song) though.

Gutted he couldn't get a Top 40 single but great to see the album smashing it. Suppose he doesn't sing enough lovesick ballads to be a big singles artist. Nonetheless, three top sixty singles isn't to be sniffed at in this climate. I can't see me tiring of this album for a long time, he's making my stat-based personal chart a nightmare to compile! I hope he has a long and glorious career. I was a big fan of those early singles that didn't make the cut so I've made myself a little fake Hypersonic Missiles (Deluxe Edition). Dead Boys has its cinematic long intro back!

Would have been great to see PSB/Y+Y (even though the song's not great) and double Fender in there!

Wk 35: w/e 18.9.19 01 (12) Foals: The Runner (12-1) 02 (05) Stormzy: Sounds of the Skeng (5-2) 03 (02) The 1975: People (16-3-2-3) 04 (01) Self Esteem: (Girl) Crush (16-2-1-1-4) 05 (25) Sam Fender: The Borders (25-5) 06 (03) Lana Del Rey: Doin’ Time (31-8-7-10-16-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-10-3-6) 07 (06) Billie Eilish: all the good girls go to hell (6-7) 08 (16) Bombay Bicycle Club: Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing But You) (27-16-8) 09 (13) Yves V feat. Afrojack and Icona Pop: We Got That Cool (23-13-9) 10 (08) Lana Del Rey: f*** It I Love You (34-8-8-10) 11 (04) PVRIS: Hallucinations (29-12-4-11) 12 (10) Taylor Swift: Lover (20-17-10-12) 13 (11) Declan McKenna: British Bombs (30-16-11-13) 14 (14) Bon Iver: Naeem (38-13-7-14-14) 15 (18) Regard: Ride It (18-15) 16 (09) Solardo & Eli Brown: XTC (37-9-14-9-16) 17 (RE) Sam Fender: Hypersonic Missiles (16-4-2-4-13-24-x-x-x-x-x-38-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x--x-x-17) 18 (NE) Danny Brown: Dirty Laundry (18) 19 (07) Sleater-Kinney: Can I Go On? (39-21-5-4-7-19) 20 (37) Kano feat. Kojo Funds: Pan-Fried (37-20) 21 (33) Muru Masa feat. Clairo: I Don’t Think I Can Do This Again (33-21) 22 (15) Duke Dumont feat. Zak Abel: The Power (15-5-15-22) 23 (38) Taylor Swift: London Boy (38-23) 24 (23) Ava Max: Torn (37-23-24) 25 (27) Two Door Cinema Club: Once (40-25-27-25) 26 (21) Foals: Black Bull (18-7-3-1-2-21-26) 27 (31) Patrick Topping: Turbo Time (31-27) 28 (NE) Mystery Jets: Screwdriver (28) 29 (NE) Grimes & i_o: Violence (29) 30 (22) Tiesto, Jonas Blue & Rita Ora: Ritual (36-18-22-30) 31 (26) Kano feat. D Double E and Ghetts: Class of Deja (36-31-20-35-11-26-31) 32 (NE) Camila Cabello: Liar (32) 33 (28) David Guetta & MORTEN feat. Aloe Blacc: Never Be Alone (38-30-28-33) 34 (29) Hot Since 82 feat. Alex Mills: Therapy (32-21-19-29-34) 35 (30) PVRIS: Death of Me (9-4-1-1-2-17-24-30-35) 36 (20) Paul Woolford feat. Karen Harding: You Already Know (35-20-5-15-37-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-30-11-9-20-36) 37 (17) The Amazons: 25 (25-12-13-17-37) 38 (19) Clairo: Bags (10-4-6-19-38) 39 (NE) House Gospel Choir and Adelphi Music Factory: Salvation (39) 40 (NE) Pet Shop Boys feat. Years and Years: Dreamland (40)

01 (12) Foals: The Runner (12-1) 02 (05) Stormzy: Sounds of the Skeng (5-2) 03 (02) The 1975: People (16-3-2-3) 04 (01) Self Esteem: (Girl) Crush (16-2-1-1-4) 05 (25) Sam Fender: The Borders (25-5) 06 (03) Lana Del Rey: Doin’ Time (31-8-7-10-16-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-10-3-6) 07 (06) Billie Eilish: all the good girls go to hell (6-7) 08 (16) Bombay Bicycle Club: Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing But You) (27-16-8) 09 (13) Yves V feat. Afrojack and Icona Pop: We Got That Cool (23-13-9) 10 (08) Lana Del Rey: f*** It I Love You (34-8-8-10) 11 (04) PVRIS: Hallucinations (29-12-4-11) 12 (10) Taylor Swift: Lover (20-17-10-12) 13 (11) Declan McKenna: British Bombs (30-16-11-13) 14 (14) Bon Iver: Naeem (38-13-7-14-14) 15 (18) Regard: Ride It (18-15) 16 (09) Solardo & Eli Brown: XTC (37-9-14-9-16) 17 (RE) Sam Fender: Hypersonic Missiles (16-4-2-4-13-24-x-x-x-x-x-38-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x--x-x-17) 18 (NE) Danny Brown: Dirty Laundry (18) 19 (07) Sleater-Kinney: Can I Go On? (39-21-5-4-7-19) 20 (37) Kano feat. Kojo Funds: Pan-Fried (37-20) 21 (33) Muru Masa feat. Clairo: I Don’t Think I Can Do This Again (33-21) 22 (15) Duke Dumont feat. Zak Abel: The Power (15-5-15-22) 23 (38) Taylor Swift: London Boy (38-23) 24 (23) Ava Max: Torn (37-23-24) 25 (27) Two Door Cinema Club: Once (40-25-27-25) 26 (21) Foals: Black Bull (18-7-3-1-2-21-26) 27 (31) Patrick Topping: Turbo Time (31-27) 28 (NE) Mystery Jets: Screwdriver (28) 29 (NE) Grimes & i_o: Violence (29) 30 (22) Tiesto, Jonas Blue & Rita Ora: Ritual (36-18-22-30) 31 (26) Kano feat. D Double E and Ghetts: Class of Deja (36-31-20-35-11-26-31) 32 (NE) Camila Cabello: Liar (32) 33 (28) David Guetta & MORTEN feat. Aloe Blacc: Never Be Alone (38-30-28-33) 34 (29) Hot Since 82 feat. Alex Mills: Therapy (32-21-19-29-34) 35 (30) PVRIS: Death of Me (9-4-1-1-2-17-24-30-35) 36 (20) Paul Woolford feat. Karen Harding: You Already Know (35-20-5-15-37-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-30-11-9-20-36) 37 (17) The Amazons: 25 (25-12-13-17-37) 38 (19) Clairo: Bags (10-4-6-19-38) 39 (NE) House Gospel Choir and Adelphi Music Factory: Salvation (39) 40 (NE) Pet Shop Boys feat. Years and Years: Dreamland (40)

My equivalent of the 'Sheeran rule' (two songs per lead artist) means North Shields' finest doesn't dominate this chart. Without this, his entire debut album could be in the Top 40. The second most-played track from it over the past month is spring smash Hypersonic Missiles, which returns for the second time. More commentary to follow at some point. 01 (12) Foals: The Runner (12-1) 02 (05) Stormzy: Sounds of the Skeng (5-2) 03 (02) The 1975: People (16-3-2-3) 04 (01) Self Esteem: (Girl) Crush (16-2-1-1-4) 05 (25) Sam Fender: The Borders (25-5) 06 (03) Lana Del Rey: Doin’ Time (31-8-7-10-16-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-10-3-6) 07 (06) Billie Eilish: all the good girls go to hell (6-7) 08 (16) Bombay Bicycle Club: Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing But You) (27-16-8) 09 (13) Yves V feat. Afrojack and Icona Pop: We Got That Cool (23-13-9) 10 (08) Lana Del Rey: f*** It I Love You (34-8-8-10) 11 (04) PVRIS: Hallucinations (29-12-4-11) 12 (10) Taylor Swift: Lover (20-17-10-12) 13 (11) Declan McKenna: British Bombs (30-16-11-13) 14 (14) Bon Iver: Naeem (38-13-7-14-14) 15 (18) Regard: Ride It (18-15) 16 (09) Solardo & Eli Brown: XTC (37-9-14-9-16) 17 (RE) Sam Fender: Hypersonic Missiles (16-4-2-4-13-24-x-x-x-x-x-38-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x--x-x-17) 18 (NE) Danny Brown: Dirty Laundry (18) 19 (07) Sleater-Kinney: Can I Go On? (39-21-5-4-7-19) 20 (37) Kano feat. Kojo Funds: Pan-Fried (37-20) 21 (33) Muru Masa feat. Clairo: I Don’t Think I Can Do This Again (33-21) 22 (15) Duke Dumont feat. Zak Abel: The Power (15-5-15-22) 23 (38) Taylor Swift: London Boy (38-23) 24 (23) Ava Max: Torn (37-23-24) 25 (27) Two Door Cinema Club: Once (40-25-27-25) 26 (21) Foals: Black Bull (18-7-3-1-2-21-26) 27 (31) Patrick Topping: Turbo Time (31-27) 28 (NE) Mystery Jets: Screwdriver (28) 29 (NE) Grimes & i_o: Violence (29) 30 (22) Tiesto, Jonas Blue & Rita Ora: Ritual (36-18-22-30) 31 (26) Kano feat. D Double E and Ghetts: Class of Deja (36-31-20-35-11-26-31) 32 (NE) Camila Cabello: Liar (32) 33 (28) David Guetta & MORTEN feat. Aloe Blacc: Never Be Alone (38-30-28-33) 34 (29) Hot Since 82 feat. Alex Mills: Therapy (32-21-19-29-34) 35 (30) PVRIS: Death of Me (9-4-1-1-2-17-24-30-35) 36 (20) Paul Woolford feat. Karen Harding: You Already Know (35-20-5-15-37-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-30-11-9-20-36) 37 (17) The Amazons: 25 (25-12-13-17-37) 38 (19) Clairo: Bags (10-4-6-19-38) 39 (NE) House Gospel Choir and Adelphi Music Factory: Salvation (39) 40 (NE) Pet Shop Boys feat. Years and Years: Dreamland (40) OUT: 24 (38) Friendly Fires: Can’t Wait Forever (38-24) 32 (32) Lizzo: Good As Hell (32-32) 34 (34) Twenty One Pilots: The Hype (36-27-23-34-34) 35 (15) Haim: Summer Girl (34-34-22-6-15-35) 36 (35) Sub Focus: Siren (35-36) 39 (NE) Miley Cyrus: Slide Away (39) 40 (NE) Sleater-Kinney: The Future is Here (40)

Okay this sounds excellent on Tidal Hi-Fi via my stereo. The Borders is phenomenal in album context. Love the urgency! This song is VERY Springsteen/Killers/War on Drugs but that's not a bad thing at all. Even though I'm more of a singles guy, I can see me going back to this repeatedly. The best act to come out of this part of the world in a long time.

Impressed with this after one listen, like the way the new songs generallly sound like fresh territory for him too. Listen #2 on an actual stereo coming shortly. The lyrics on White Privilege are brilliantly scathing! Wasn't expecting him to actually drop the C-bomb on this. Also, this interview is fantastic.

Searched high and low for a thread for this but couldn't find one. Not been feeling Metronomy for a while and have really struggled to get into their recent singles. However, not writing this era off completely until I've heard the new album, which will happen this morning. All seems a far cry from the days of My Heart Rate Rapid, Heartbreaker, The Bay, The Look, Radio Ladio, Corinne, Holiday etc though. Really hope I can get something to click. Salted Caramel Ice Cream made a modest dent into my personal chart but I actually find it annoying now. Let me know your thoughts!

A lot of the time it's a case of "haven't I heard this hook before? Oh well, banger!".

Yeah, I read that it was unintentional. To be fair, a lot of great choruses I hear are probably a tad derivative!

Panini is great, but that's to be expected with such a heavy In Bloom influence! Was massively sceptical about Old Town Road because I've had my fill of young rappers called Lil but that grew on me massively too.