Chez Wombat

I think this is probably the best thing he's done in a while, which isn't saying much as I haven't really liked a song of his in years, but I grew up with 2000s Eminem so I always welcome a comeback to that sound, granted it does just want to make me listen to Without Me, which was way better. I found the controversial lyrics eye roll worthy at best, he is the original troll and made a career off of this stuff and is still trying to do it now, yet it just doesn't work as well, The Marshall Mathers LP is so much more shocking all those years later. Him referencing the 2017 Manchester Arena bombings and Stephen Paddocks from the Las Vegas shooting on his last album felt way worse than anything here. I don't really think that's the reason the song's doing well anyway asides from getting people talking, 2000s nostalgia is very popular and the sample's very recognisable, plus the reluctance for radios to get on board will likely just drive more interest.

Argh such a nostalgic time for me with so many great songs here, I'm gonna assume at least one more person will nominate the Bravery so I'll give some others a shot Jem – They The Coral – In the Morning Blink 182 – I Miss You Green Day – Wake Me Up When September Ends Kaiser Chiefs – I Predict a Riot (My first choice, but I would also be fine with Oh My God or Everyday I Love You Less & Less, can't remember if we had them in the albums x)

Iceland just casually slaying England again like it's still 2016 :cheeseblock:

Even with these polls, I expected at least 120-150 seats for the Conservatives, but the chances of less than 100 could really happen now after this D-Day business, what a monumental disaster! Pretty much a lesson in how to alienate every voter and I love that the reason he left was to fix the other cock-up he created by lying, creating an even bigger one in the process!

Both great, I do prefer the original Set You Free though so going with Aaliyah x

Labour really need to start revealing more policies and why they are the change needed, I know the polls mean they can take their time and their process is a bit different, but we've barely heard from them so far apart from the Diane Abbott scandal and the morning news seemingly has a new desperate, culture war inflamed Tory policy every day ('protection' of biological sex in the Equality Act even though it already is, capping migrant visas etc). I didn't watch the debate as I can't handle a whole hour of dancing around questions and not answering them but seems Starmer may have struggled because of this x

08; Fljótavík / DJ Mayhem - Inesse 06; Aelandor / underscores & Jane Remover - Uncanny long arms 03; Niceland / Kinnship - Toiling 01; Beaverdonia Impakt Nation / Neggy Gemmy - Black Ferrari Slightly more than I usually lose, oh well x

Oh, those DNQs are saddening :'( Wasn't Cumulonimbia's best entry, but sad to see their streak end. Fljotavik and Aelandor are very sad losses, both in my top 5 :( Guess this wasn't the best semi for the alt entries, but at least Danaeviia made it (edit: and Seyetana & Cheiron too x) <3

Hooray :cheer: (death slot in the final though ), many thanks all, although a real shame for Niceland, their best entry in a while and first of my votes out.

I missed the listenthrough so I'm a bit out of the loop, hopefully some good news but it's not the safest thing I've sent. Enjoyed my top 5 here so hoping they're all safe x

It's amusing in theory as it would be pieing a pantomime villain, but let's be honest, if it were a Lib Dem/Green MP and the Tories were laughing about it, the reaction would be pretty different on here. It just ultimately doesn't solve anything and gives him yet more ammunition to spout more of his bullshit about how 'they're all out to get me' and more front pages in the tabloids, given they would give attention to him opening an envelope. Y'know what would really be funny? His face if/when he loses x

Just casually kicking out the second best song too early then, cool xx Kelis to go x

Oops I did end up flopping, maybe standing out in the wrong way :kink: Thanks for the few of you that did throw a few points my way though x Congrats Dobbo! I'd never heard that before and it was a great discovery, and nice to see an inspired winner as opposed to the familiar names. Although I voted for three more of those top 5 and good to see Dubstar and SFA in the top 10 as well. Gorky's Zygotic Mynci (Chart trivia kings *.*) and Boo Radleys should've done much better though. Thanks for hosting, dandy, I was worried this may be quite samey, but it was another quite strong edition with no bad entries.

Move Your Feet is so far ahead of the pack as one of my all time favourites so I feel like I should just vote for that, but I want to continue voting as I have been so going for that, Wherever You Will Go, Complicated, In Da Club and Superstar. Westlife for worst, particularly offensively bland even for them.

Kandy Pop was definitely not my usual style, but it was very instant when searching for potentials and I didn't want to blend in or sound samey. I was slightly worried with the complete lack of reaction in the listenthrough (not that there was many people there) it would flounder but pleased to see some points coming in for it now, thanks to AH Gold for the 12 in particular <3 Current 2-5 were all big standouts so hope one of them wins, Spacehog I think wasn't too far from my votes though x

Interesting episode, not entirely successful but a very unique one in what is proving to be a very unique season. The whole premise didn't quite have enough bite for me as it was essentially a Black Mirror episode (the pastel aesthetic is ripped straight from Nosedive) which we have seen many times before, as with these 'eat the rich' parodies. The lead character being so repulsive was a natural choice and though I did want her so badly to be eaten, I think she played the part well, I wish there wasn't such a reliance on stereotypes though. The lack of ability to walk I think stretched disbelief too much (how did she make it down the stairs on her own in that case?!). The slug/AI control whatever didn't really seem to be resolved by the end and didn't make a lot of sense overall - I'm not clear why the slugs were used at all, and if they had a purpose other than just purely just set up to off insufferable rich kids and their parents. The dot clearly could've wiped any of them out no problem as they were incapable of basic skills so it's bizarre so many of them actually escaped. I'm unsure if this lack of resolution was intentional given the unlikeable nature of the characters, I would find that pretty enjoyable! The ending was the strongest part and I think where the greater underlying themes came in. While other iterations would've certainly just shrugged that off as ungrateful idiot kids that have chosen their fate, this one is clearly more vulnerable and sensitive and I think that was conveyed really well, what they said and the fact there wasn't a single black person in the bubble said all you need to know perfectly without stating it outright. It's a good representation that not every human will appreciate being saved nor deserve it. This Doctor's presentation is definitely lacking some core features of what we think of as the Doctor, I do think it's a good way to show that Flux/Timeless Child timeline (however poorly executed it was) has influenced him if it's intentional. Would probably put this middle of the pack overall.

2010 was fourteen years ago, as an equivalent when we were in 2010, 1996 was fourteen years ago and I'm not sure anyone at the time would've said that's not retro, so in theory yes, the early 2010s were some time ago now so can be seen as retro to some people. Why it will likely feel weird is that the 2010s weren't really a defining era in the same way as decades before then, mainly due to our changing ways of life and technology's rapid advancement accounting for almost every cultural shift, thus it feels like we're generally liking the same things as we did a decade ago and nostalgia for older eras has become so in fashion. If you ask most of the public for a list of era-defining music, TV shows, pop culture, you probably wouldn't get a lot of answers from the 2010s compared to prior decades.

I'd be very interested in a U2 one, there's perhaps a few eras I need to familiarise myself with but they are generally one of my favourite bands. Although any of the names suggested I would be interested as well. I think for ABBA, it should be only those not on Gold, we've had so many rates for them before and everyone knows what will do well.

Aqualung – Strange and Beautiful (I'll Put a Spell On You) The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army XTM & DJ Chucky feat. Annia – Fly on the Wings of Love Muse – Time Is Running Out Coldplay – The Scientist (would also be fine with Clocks x) I'd prefer All Rise, though I endorse something representing it anyway x

9 please!

You can Google her name. Please avoid language like this, it's got very negative implications even if not meant. There doesn't seem any valid reason Diane shouldn't be allowed to run apart from the fact that she doesn't fit in the centre of the party and the media don't like her (I'm not saying she's not said silly things, but she has apologised for it), especially as the investigation was cleared many months ago and wasn't reported. Her treatment is a really nasty representation of the institutional racism in the media and parliament, so many white men have done worse or similar yet got off completely scot-free... Anyway, can Labour just get on with actually stating what they are gonna do to improve things and stop with this faction shit, this is media space that does not need to be taken up even with the lead they have.

I thought the Welsh pub scene was really strong, it helped to exemplify the outsider feel and remember given this is psychological, it adds to Ruby's fears about being judged as an outsider. Also, I think it was a great bit of social commentary about anti-English sentiment within Wales, it's fairly underrepresented but it certainly exists (when I went there, we went past a pub that unironically said 'no English' along with 'no dogs'!), and I thought it a really interesting stance to take which helped increase the tension.

Great news to know that despite how utterly how archaic a system this country has, that justice can still be recognised, even if it doesn't include insurrection which it really should. Hopefully, this will give the Democrats some backing in their campaigns and convince the swing states that a convicted criminal isn't really the best choice to run the country (I can't believe I'm having to hope that...). But of course, this will absolutely not affect his core fanbase at all and will make them even angrier and allow more funds to be raised for his campaign, and there'll be even be more of an anti-establishment vote that initially got him there. November's gonna be nasty x

No Doubt could've been here had I remembered to vote :/ Kylie to win I guess x

Nothing particularly new from them, but not bad. The chorus is punchy, but I don't think it needed the swearing. Lovely to hear from them again as it's been so long, and good to see losing two members didn't have too much of an impact on their sound!