Twostepcub's New Music Roundup 3/4/23...

 
It's time for my weekly new music roundup, where I feature the big entries on the Hot 100 as well as my personal choices of the songs making the various radio charts in Billboard magazine, as well as on the charts in the United Kingdom. It's a pretty slow week, with no songs making a debut in the top-40 on the Hot 100, and a lot of trash below that. But here are some gems on that and the other lists.
 
"Heaven" - Niall Horan
from the album The Show (2023) 
Billboard Hot 100 debut: #63
Billboard Pop Airplay debut: #27
Billboard Adult Top-40 Airplay debut: #37 
Official British Singles chart debut: #18


In an off week songs like this middling ditty from Horan stands out. Perhaps the Styles lull will give this a chance.

(Click below to see the rest of the post)

"Ceilings" - Lizzy McAlpine
from the album Five Seconds Flat (2022)
Billboard Hot 100 debut: #75
 

 This one from the American singer who got big in the UK first is a much better choice, with this nuanced and delicate building ballad that is just beautiful.

"I Feel Like Dancing" - Jason Mraz
from the album Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride (2023)
Adult Top-40 Airplay debut: #33


The cougar-baiting balladeer from "I'm Yours" days has gone the neo-disco route with his preview of his upcoming eighth album. Be forewarned, it's major cheesy, but he's obviously all-in with this, and the inclusionary video is cute, and considering the other big neo-disco debut, Latto's "Lottery", is a Dr. Luke production, this wins out handily.

from the album Pour It Out Into The Night (2023)
Billboard Rock & Alternative Airplay debut: #42
Billboard Alternative Rock Airplay debut: #27 
Billboard Adult Album Alternative (Triple-A) Rock Airplay debut: #40


The New Orleans-based indie rock band is back after a five-year break with this song with the dichotomy between the darker lyrics and rollicking rhythm. The lightness wins out, thankfully.

"A Thousand Shades" - Ozzy Osbourne featuring Jeff Beck
from the album Patient Number 9 (2022)
Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay debut: #30


The third rock radio hit and second featuring the late great guitar god Jeff Beck is worth the price of admission for the latter's contribution, but am I right that Ozzy's voice with Auto-tune pitched way high in this? If you can get past this, you can enjoy this epic delve into the netherworld.

"This Is Mongol" - The Hu featuring William DuVall
from the album Rumble Of Thunder (2022)
Mainstream Rock Airplay debut: #32


Man, do I love these Mongolian metalheads, and was bummed when there second album Rumble of Thunder came out to little fanfare. For the film The Retaliators, which the Hu appear in, they reworked the song with Alice In Chains' newer frontman William DuVall. To be honest, I prefer the original, where their instruments aren't hidden by DuVall's guitar wail, and their throat singing much more in the forefront, but if this gets them back onto radio, all the better. 

"Devastate" - Saint Asonia
from the album Introvert/Extrovert (2022)
Mainstream Rock Airplay debut: #39


The hard rock supergroup are back with this compact ball of angst that sounds great on the car speakers.

"Empty Nest" - Silversun Pickups
from the album Physical Thrills (2022)
Alternative Rock Airplay debut: #37


The indie-rock band gives a look into what it takes to make a smaller-venue show (and a refreshing look at being a mom in the field) in the video for this oscillating electro number.

"The Weakness" - Ruston Kelly
from the album The Weakness (2023)
Triple-A Rock Airplay debut: #37


Kacey Musgraves' ex-husband definitely came out the worse for wear if told by this haunting new single from his upcoming third disc. 

"All I Really Wanna Do" - Devon Gilfillian
from the album Love You Anyway (2023)
Triple-A Rock Airplay debut: #38


This echoing trippy number from the roots soulster is eargrabbing in the production in headphones.

"Baby Will You Love Me" - MAJOR.
from the single (2023)
Billboard Adult R&B Airplay debut: #30


This simple retro-style soul love song definitely charms with MAJOR.'s strong delivery. 

"Nothing In Common" - MOTi with Raphi
from the single (2023)
Billboard Dance Airplay debut: #36
 

 Fans of Tiesto should check out this deep-house groove for their workout playlist from fellow Dutchman DJ and British Cypriot singer Raphi.

"I'll Be Around" - Elderbrook & Amtrac
from the single (2023)
Dance Airplay debut: #39


If you want a more contemplative mood in your grooves, dive into this was from British singer/producer Alexander "Elderbrook" Kotz and American producer/musician Amtrac.

from the album Quest For Fire (2023)
Billboard Dance/Electronic Songs debut: #14
 

 The king/scourge of drum and bass music returned with two album releases in a single weekend, and while most of it is like nails in my brain, at least this one sports Missy Elliott, cribbing her "Work It".

"Sacrifice" - Kx5 & Sofi Tukker
from the single (2023)
Dance/Electronic Songs debut: #28


Eclectic dance duo Sofi Tukker lay themselves over the ambient trance of Kaskade and deadmau5 for this hypnotic little gem.

"The Glue Song" - beabadoobee
from the single (2023)
British Singles Chart debut: #38


The Filipino-British chanteuse delivers a sweet one-off single that's as precious as the music video accompanying it.

"When I Get There" - Pink
from the album Trustfall (2023)
British Singles Chart debut: #44


It was a risky move to put this beautiful yet mournful elegy for her father as the opening track on her latest album, but it pays off in droves, as this grips you from the get-go. 

"Too Much Music" - Jake Shears
from the album Last Man Dancing (2023)
British Singles Airplay debut: #19


And we end with my pick of the week from the solo Scissor Sister that is such a party. This is neo-disco done right. And the music video is captivating and I want a full-length of it pronto.

That's it for the singles, I'll be back with the new albums making the charts as well as some personal picks.





 

Comments