Chez Wombat

A very bland, uninspiring list, a lot of these feel like they’re there just on name alone, I really don’t think this reflects the most culturally and critically acclaimed music of the last 12 months as a whole, a great feat for Jade though.

Saw this today as well (morning screening was probably the only one I could find that wasn't packed out!), and it's really impressive, see it on the biggest screen possible if you can, it's truly a film that just enriches all your senses in a great way. Truly a masterpiece of filmmaking even for Nolan, having just read the book, it did really enhance it and it was wonderful seeing things like the cyclops, underworld and sirens come to life, and the additions were interesting and took the themes a bit further than the text was known for. One thing I have been seeing criticised that I did agree was that the dialogue did feel a bit too modern, I wish they'd not used 'dad' in particular, it took me out of it a bit and felt like a standard historical epic, which yes I know it is but for the original one of these, I'd have wanted it to stand out more! Still, that time flew by, highly recommended.

Prince - When Doves Cry Laura Branigan - Self Control George Michael - Careless Whisper Ray Parker Jr - Ghostbusters Malcolm McLaren - Madam Butterfly (Un Bel Di Vedremo) Malcolm McLaren was a fantastic discovery! Couldn't quite find room for Master and Servant, Dr Beat and Big in Japan

I enjoyed this quite a bit, Diane Morgan can read a whole page of terms and conditions and I'd laugh so that helps, but she's on really unique form here and Sue Johnston gives them a lot to work with. I enjoyed the older side characters, but agree Michael and Renee didn't really add much apart from being really unlikeable and not very interesting to watch, and I saw both their eventual endpoints predictable.

Oh that is a fantastic outcome, my 18 winning! <3 Congrats Harve, I only saw the discussion about it today and would've never thought it could win, it's my favourite discovery in BJSC in a long time and I really must check out the full album. Some of my big pointers from Sovarasma, Jadakissnia, Eledan and Lentyll in the top 10 too is great to see. I didn't like this one as much as her last entry, but quite neat that Dani Sylvia got another 2nd place right after her last one. 33rd for a sixth (!) time it is then, again I knew this one could well get lost in the fray so I'm just glad it wasn't lower, thanks to all who voted, especially @Colm for that top pointer <3 If you don't already know them and liked this one, I would also recommend Sail and Find Love which were new releases this year (this one is an older track finally made available on streaming from their compilation of non-singles and fan favourites From a Hole in the Floor to a Fountain of Youth, which was a pretty good introduction to them for me x). Thank you Addy, always a great flight experience! Unusually for me, I do actually have a song lined up for next time and it's got a familiar Terra Avium style to it, so let's see if it can break my middling streak x

I knew Skall would be a big beneficiary of that, would love if it could hold on <3

Wasn't totally sure I'd pass 100 prior to the 18s but I'll take it (although I'll be pleasantly surprised if I get more than one)

I guess it doesn't mean much depending on the 18s, but Sovarasma would certainly be a great turn out for the books if it were to win!

It was something of a surprise that I managed to qualify so I am bracing myself for a pretty low finish but thank you to the few of you so far that have not made it a total disaster! No spoilers for my 18 but the scoreboard is looking pretty good right now x

I think that feels like a natural place to end the speculation 😎

RIP & Young aren't bad, but very, very of their time and not really held up, especially with those Calvin Harris style drops and dubstep that seemed to permeate most dance songs around that time (add in a very pointless Nneka sample). Domino is also pretty dated and generic, but I did grow to quite like it at the time and her vocals are palatable on this one unlike some others from her, I have quite a distinct memory of using the intro music in one of my film projects at uni, and then combining it with Chemical Brothers' Setting Sun to reflect a sudden mood change, seamless x

I can literally only do tomorrow so another vote for that!

Yeah, the likes Ariana and Olivia are well established stars with established fanbases that have arguably already peaked commercially, so while they were guaranteed initial success, you can't always capture the same lightning in a bottle after so many times, my point is there are no newer artists breaking through having that killer breakthrough to be on the same level like there have been in previous years, it feels like it's gradually stagnated since 2024 where I would now struggle to name any defining songs and artists of 2026 that were unique to this year.

I think along with the drastic changes to the industry meaning the charts are being dominated by select artists, social media and streaming giants which has never been seen before, I just think it's too hard for new artists to break through with the economy as it is and cost of living skyrocketing, record labels are at risk of going bust if they don't get results and streaming services don't half take advantage of smaller artists, and that's not even taking AI into the equation. Unless you've got industry connections, are a highly marketable prospect or managed to build a small following, it's really hard for up and coming artists. The live/touring circuit is more likely where a lot of the money is these days. I suppose 2026 has lacked a huge undeniable pop culture moment like Brat, K-Pop Demon Hunters etc. or headline-grabbing phenomenon artists like Sabrina Carpenter or Chappell Roan, Could still happen I guess, these things do tend to take us all by surprise.

Angela Raynor back as housing secretary! That's a pretty bold move given the scrutiny she might face, but I'm glad to see it as she was a wonderful communicator with some good ideas, that 'scandal' feels a bit of a storm in a teacup in retrospect given how some MPs stayed on for much worse. Early days, but not a bad looking cabinet overall, very pleased to see the back of Reeves and Lammy and I guess Healey is a wait-and-see type of choice, Miliband would've been a target in that position right from the start. I'm not fully convinced on Burnham yet (the North Sea drilling is a really disappointing start) as it all seems a bit idealist without a clear plan, but he seems to have the right priorities, the impractical digital ID being scrapped is a good start. Certainly got faith he can manage PR a bit better than Starmer did.

Well thank the lord for Spain! An awful final and it should've been a higher victory margin, but utterly disgraceful and bad faith play from Argentina throughout. I don't think that first goal should've been disallowed either as there wasn't much of a foul. Tough to see who could beat Spain going forward, particularly not next world cup where they're part hosts, they seem to have the patience and clinical skills in attack and defence that no other team seems to match.

I guess when you combine clinical, patient play with a team that parks the bus until the final minutes when they're behind, it creates the cure for insomnia x I'll take anything for this not to go to extra time atm I missed the halftime show as I was taking out my bins and washing dishes, and I am very proud of that choice, can we please not with that Superbowl nonsense x

Wham! - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Two Tribes Nik Kershaw - I Won't Let The Sun Go Down On Me Grandmaster And Melle Mel - White Lines (Don't Do It) Bruce, Pointer Sisters, Cyndi and Sister Sledge also close, pretty good week x

I take back what I said about the third place being scrapped It may not have come home but it came third at least x Ten goals is just insane!

I'm not watching but...wow! France must be on snooze mode :') Fairly encouraging, even though it's a glorified friendly match that should absolutely be scrapped as there is no prestige attached to it at all.

Biology isn't my absolute favourite Girls Aloud song, but definitely appreciate its innovative structure and classic Xenomania sound. What You Waiting For is such a wonderful pop song, so immediately striking, unique and filled with personality, it was everything you'd hope for from as unique a frontwoman as Gwen (although I knew her solo before I knew she was in No Doubt so can't fully comment on expectations that led up to that, ha x) But Toxic is a worthy winner indeed, not much else I can add about it, one of the undisputed all time great pop songs (or at least I thought undisputed until I saw Jim's score :o) and was always going to slay competition here. Thanks Jade for running these, I never bought these albums, but it's been nice to relive some great female pop moments of the 2000s and the commentary on each song has been really interesting to read.

I haven't seen this yet as every screening is rammed (and BFI IMAX is booked out until next month!), and I'd like to finish reading the original text first (Fittingly, I'm reading the Emily Wilson translation which Nolan used himself as a basis for the dialogue), but do discuss if you have seen it x

If we've got a thread for Cheetah Girls 4, we should probably have one of this too x Christopher Nolan's adaptation of the Greek epic poem that has become one of the most widely studies, recognisable and influential works in Western literature. Released yesterday, it's already looking at some very good numbers. There has been a few controversies surrounding this film and the trailers received quite a lot of backlash for the dialogue, design and casting not reflecting the original source material and it generally looking a bit too Hollywood-ised. Casting of black and a trans actors has sadly led to the usual racist/bigoted grifters also speaking out against it. However, it hasn't hurt the film, reviews are absolutely glowing and it's looking like a very strong opening (not helped by there being very little out to challenge it!).

I agree it's sad that Chris Brown has such a devoted fanbase and career when he's shown time and time again he's a terrible person, I can usually separate art and artist but fortunately here, there's no need to as most of his music is atrocious anyway! Turn Up The Music is so generic and unoriginal, feels like it was one that only got there by chance and I'd be surprised if even his fans hold it up as a classic these days.

Let's not forget that Three Lions was released the year of Euro 1996, not the world cup! I'd say there is still prestige attached to that x