Brélican

Glad that you were able to see through the hosting in the end AllStar but don't worry about the delays. (I managed to avoid seeing whatever the slip-up was as well despite following the thread relatively closely x)

Congrats Dan, not close at all in the end! I gave 7 points to Machinedrum but Commander Tom was only just behind on 6 points so not upset at that blocking it. Great to see 2 of my top 3 squeezing into the top 10, well done Henessy on a strong first result here and Nine also just about hanging on in there. Gave 1 point to Absolom as well so half of the top 10 were in my votes, not bad. Boooo at my 12 pointer finishing in the bottom 3 though (was thinking it felt familiar me giving 12 points to a Pavi entry that gets barely any points from anyone else and indeed the same thing happened 2 contests ago with Nazar - y'all need to develop more taste xx). Oop at me getting 0 further points after Pavi's votes and slumping down to the bottom of the top 20 - I guess that's more in line with what I initially expected but a bit disappointing after some initial false hope x (still beat Kuedo from the first Instrumentals edition by 1 point though so technically partially achieved that aim, but it is a lower position both absolutely and relatively). Forgot to mention it in my commentary but this entry is actually even from the same label as Kuedo (Planet Mu) which was a neat coincidence. Wish I could have squeezed Jlin into my votes as that definitely doesn't deserve last place! (although neither would μ-Ziq to be fair, those were literally the two songs just outside my votes) Thanks for the hosting AllStar <3 another very strong edition x

From what little I have gleamed so far about Henessy Lake's taste that seems like quite a surprisingly leftfield pick! (Banger though) Good tune from Addy as well to round us out. Would think Addy would be a fan of Commander Tom so maybe a blowout win still incoming x

Can we have literally any other song from him please

Dan giving 12 points to himself got to respect the hustle (I guess if it wasn't Snake sending 'Crying' I probably should have guessed it'd be Wardy lol - I did rank it above 7 of the other songs on the list here x) Great entry from Dan and not surprised at it doing very well x

Pavi's votes already being posted I guess means there was at least a bit of rejiggery with the voting reveal order, so quite possibly good news for Machinedrum coming x

2 more good tunes there, 'Plan 9' was a foot tapper to open with ~ + recognised 'Idol' from the Kungs song that samples it but I think I do prefer this version anyway!

I knew Ø would be Pavi serving the minimal excellence. And thank you for a medal swap <3 (ah @ no votes from Leww but fair given his post in the voting thread ofc)

Great pick from Nine <3 I wanted to predict that as a win contender but didn't know if it was just me being biased, glad to see it near the top end of the scoreboard anyway x (I didn't boycott it xo) Thanks Cody for another couple of points also

Would not complain at a Commander Tom win! Oh my votes up already - I guess that means there were at least 11 (!) people that voted late then if this is in order of receipt *_* but good that it appears we did eventually get a full house ~ Thanks to Mattias for a bronze and Jade, Lewis, Whoddy, Chez, Jim and Till for the other points so far - doing a little better than I expected when I first confirmed this song, would be neat if I can outdo my result from the first Instrumentals edition of Club Bizarre after all (15th/23 with 43 points). I may have sneakily PMed our host shortly after the thread went up to ask for the spelling of Slikback to be corrected (Pavi bringing attention to it anyway though )

Cool picks from both Chez and Dobbo there, the former certainly stood out a lot. The Machinedrum song was the only one here that I'd already heard before the contest I believe but not complaining at hearing it again, banger x (oh we're going through these results very quickly!)

Ah one of my past artists unveiled already - good luck AllStar to hopefully get a better result with KOAN Sound than I did x Lovely entry from Lewis, 'Poppiholla' vibes <3 + an enjoyably chaotic pick from Jade x

I would usually be here for an Orbital win but it would feel a bit cheap if they won this with this song.

I'm quite sure it already isn't x

Last day for any more votes before 9pm (Looks like we have some slightly better options next week x)

AllStar has posted recently saying he's been a bit occupied with things outside of the site tbf. (though it would be good to get an update even if it is just that the results will be delayed a little bit, we can wait x)

I actually quite clearly remember it being a shockingly consistent presence on iTunes for years past its apparent sell-by date!

The streaming era has been going on for a while now and it's only just happened now so it's hardly 'easy'... (especially with ACR which any song that wanted to have a shot at the record would necessarily need to swerve multiple times after already being #1 for months)

1995 is not really 'these days' x

Is 'I Believe' really that recognisable these days? (Not that it's any black mark against it if not, not a lot of songs from the 50s are still relevant - but I'd say even among Frankie Laine songs 'Rawhide' has stood the test of time better)

Not an interview with Burna Boy after lowkey slagging off his song the entire show I'd have preferred Shakira to get #1 but I don't really care enough to be upset. 'Rein Me In' already massively overstayed its welcome before it even got 1 week at #1 nevermind 19 but I guess if it's come this far anyway I can respect a record from the 50s toppling in my lifetime. Let's let it go and never let Sam Fender have a long running hit again now though please

By 'lead' I meant first billed only but yes technically true ofc x

Just realising that with HUGEL entering the top 10 there are 5 different lead artist nationalities in the top 10 (Shakira from Colombia, ANOTR from the Netherlands and HUGEL from France + the usual Brits and Americans). Not sure how common that is of late!

'Movin' To The Sun' is growing on me a bit, but hopefully ANOTR will stay ahead as the biggest dance hit of the moment.

Mildly surprised 'the cure' is avoiding ACR for now but very happy, one of the best songs of the year ❤️