Joe Keery, a.k.a. Djo, takes on Eurovision leader Joost for Number 1

Joe Keery, easily best known for his turn as Steve Harrington in the Netflix series Stranger Things, has enjoyed a spectacular debut so far with his “End of Beginning”. Under his alias Djo, the single entered as the highest new entry of the week and soared into the Top 10 the next. Now, the ode to Chicago hits a new peak at #2, only barely behind Eurovision entry “Europapa” by Joost. The synth-inspired ballad is boosted by an increase in streaming figures and its viral TikTok-trend. The Netherlands’ Eurovision representative continues to hold at Number 1 though. Joost enters a fifth consecutive week atop the list with his entry “Europapa”.

The biggest Dutch stars of the 2020s, so far, are, without a doubt: Goldband. The Hague-based techno-inspired pop trio went from an indie act to a sell-out festival headliner in only a few years. Their set at Lowlands 2022 helped them break the mainstream and earned them their first national Top 40-hits. On my personal list, “Stiekem” with Maan and “Noodgeval” became the most-successful Dutch songs of all time, respectively. Last year, they scored a third Number 1-hit with the catchy “Rommel”, but other new material was delayed. This week, the Netherlands’ favorite plasterers make their return with “You & Me”, which debuts at #4. It is boosted by incredible streaming figures and contends for a Number 1 next week.

Ain’t no holding Honey Bee! – the global super star notches up another Top 10-debut following the release of her highly anticipated Cowboy Carter. It already earned her the Number 1-hit “Texas Hold ‘Em”, which spent one week leading the list. This week, the cross-over “II Most Wanted” with Miley Cyrus debuts at #9 with massive streaming figures. Miley Cyrus is no stranger to the country genre, as her godmother is country legend Dolly Parton. Coincidentally, Beyoncé covered the country ballad on Cowboy Carter which was introduced by Dolly Parton herself. Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus their team-up earns them their thirty-sixth and twentieth Top 10-hit to date, respectively.

Last year, Olivia Rodrigo followed up her debut album with Guts, a rock-inspired sophomore album. It was preceded by the Number 1-hit “Vampire” and followed by a string of Top 10-hits, including one soundtrack single for the new Hunger Games film. Last week, Guts received a deluxe edition featuring the new single “Obsessed”. Another angst-induced pop rock song in the vain of “Bad Idea, Right?”. It earned the highest new entry of last week, and soars into my own Top 10 this week. It peaks at #10 so far. It marks Olivia Rodrigo her ninth Top 10-entry to date – her chart run to date remains impeccable. Out of her ten Top 40-entries, all of them cracked the Top 20, and nine the Top 10.

Three other singles make their debut this week, two of them by ex-girl group singers. Fifth Harmony’s Camila Cabello debuts with her comeback “I Luv It” featuring Playboi Carti. A strong departure from her previous Latin-inspired sound that helped her break out as a solo artist; the new “I Luv It” is hyper pop not unlike Charli XCX’s. It divided critics, but made a solid debut on streaming services. It marks Cabello her twenty-eighth Top 40-hit. Little Mix-singer Leigh-Anne debuts with her third solo entry “Stealing Love” at #21 – her first solo effort to miss the Top 3. It precedes her upcoming debut EP. At last, Irish singer Hozier rounds out the fresh new entries with “Too Sweet” at #35. It’s included on his most recent EP Unheard and recently debuted in the Top 10 on the UK Official Singles Chart.

Newly certified

“Training Season” – Dua Lipa GOLD