Fred Again… aims for Number 1 with two songs, but is kept off the top by RAYE

London-based producer Fred Again… aims for Number 1 with not only one, but two dance smash hits. His “Delilah (Pull Me Out of This)” maintains its position in second place, while his latest collaboration “Strong” with Romy peaks at #3 this week. Fred is kept off the top, though, by the incredible Raye, who enters a second consecutive week at Number 1 with “Escapism” featuring 070 Shake. She is supported by stable streaming figures and viral exposure. Raye currently holds a steady lead, but if Fred Again… his playlisting were to pick up next week, one of his two songs could become the very next Number 1.

2022 was another successful year for Dutch rapper-and-singer Snelle, performing at festivals across the countries, television shows and Vrienden Van Amstel Live. New hit singles, however, were less frequent when compared to previous years; “In Mijn Bloed” became a small Top 10-hit while follow-ups “Niks Mee Te Maken” or “Kijk Ons Nou” flopped. With his newest single Toto-inspired “5 Voor 12”, Snelle amps up the 80s nostalgia, determined to earn himself another streaming success. On this week’s chart, the single moves up two places to #9, earning Snelle his seventh Top 10-entry to date, perhaps promising another hit-packed year for the popular artist.

2022 was also a fruitful year for Scottish darling Lewis Capaldi. Almost four years after the release of his multi-platinum debut album, Capaldi finally released the lead single of his sophomore album Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent: “Forget Me”. The pop ballad became an immediate success in Europe and peaked at Number 1 on my personal list, earning the Scot his ever first chart-topper. This week, the follow-up release “Pointless” peaks within the Top 10 at #10, supported by increasing streaming figures. It marks Capaldi his fifth Top 10-entry to date.

Dutch power couple Suzan & Freek earn the highest debut of this week with “Slapeloosheid”, debuting at #16. It is the lead single of the duo their new documentary Tussen Jou en Mij, which details the early years of their career and how their record-breaking success impacts their personal lives. Between 2019 and this year, Suzan & Freek have scored back-to-back hits in both the Netherlands and Belgium, while on my personal list they have scored ten Top 10-songs. The new “Slapeloosheid” has an energetic sound very reminiscent of the 1980s, and follows a recent trend of synth-inspired pop songs in the Netherlands popularized by the likes of Snelle and Maan.

At #37, Dutch pop(-rock) Emma Heesters and Anouk team up on “Met Jou Kan Ik Het Aan” in anticipation of their performance at Vrienden van Amstel Live this month. It marks Anouk her first Top 40-appearance since 2016’s “Run Away Together”. It marks the Dutch legend her thirtieth Top 40-hit on my personal list, extending her lead as the most-successful Dutch female artist of all time.

Newly certified songs

“New Gold” – The Gorillaz, Tame Impala & Bootie Brown GOLD

“Unholy” – Sam Smith & Kim Petras PLATINUM

“Stiekem” – Maan & Goldband 2 X PLATINUM