Sam Fender and Olivia Dean stay ahead of surprise comebacks by Frenna, Justin Bieber and Tabitha

Following a spectacular Number 1-debut – the first of 2025 to be exact – Sam Fender and Olivia Dean easily hold the crown position for a fourth week. Their duet “Rein Me In” opened at the top of my list with the highest opening numbers of 2025 so far. Sam Fender and Olivia Dean first debuted their duet live on June 6, 2025, during Sam Fender his headline show at London Stadium, where Olivia Dean was one of two supporting acts during the show. It was originally included on his third album People Watching, which spawned two Number 1-songs; the title track and “Little Bit Closer”. “Rein Me In” marks Sam Fender his seventh chart-topper on this list, tying the North Shields-born singer with Justin Timberlake as the male artist with the second most #1s of all time. Meanwhile, Olivia Dean earned her first Number 1-record. Sam Fender and Olivia Dean manage to stay ahead of a few surprising returns to the Top 40 in a comeback-filled week on the charts.

First up, Dutch singer and rapper Frenna soars up to #2 with his summer-sounding “Zaazaa” featuring Nigerian rapper Shallipopi. Born and raised in The Hague, Frenna broke through in 2015 as a member of New Wave; a Dutch hip hop collective that significantly impacted Dutch popular culture by making a more accessible sound to the genre. It brought together various rappers and producers from the Top Notch label, including Ronnie Flex, Lil' Kleine, Jonna Fraser, and others. Since then, Frenna became a chart mainstay and streaming giant in The Netherlands. He also was a member of hip hop formation SFB, with whom he scored four Top 40-hits on this list. With the turn of the decade, Frenna his singles on this chart have mostly bubbled just outside the Top 20, with last year’s “Pretty Girls”, he scored his biggest hit in a few good years. This week, he bests all his previous songs as “Zaazaa” crowns itself as the song of the summer up at #2. It marks Frenna his first Top 10-hit in over seven years – the last was 2018’s “Verleden Tijd” with Lil’ Kleine. Featured rapper Shallipopi is a big star in Nigeria. His recent album Shakespopi topped the Nigerian album charts and spawned a national Number 1-hit.

Speaking of surprising comebacks, Justin Bieber surprise released his seventh studio album Swag last weekend after little to no promotion. On July 10, 2025, billboards featuring the word "swag" appeared in various locations around the world, but other than that, no one had a clue Bieber would soon return to the world of pop. This time, he delivers a R&B-inspired and often soul-y project, featuring the likes of Gunna and Sexxy Red, and production and songwriting by alternative singer-songwriter MK. Gee. Justin Bieber’s impact on modern pop music cannot be understated. He was one of the first singers to raise to fame through YouTube and his reinventions have been subject of praise and controverse. On my personal list, Justin Bieber has scored six big Number 1s, amongst forty-two Top 40-singles. Last months, Bieber his private life has been point of discussion again, as the tabloids widely speculate on the state of his marriage with Hailey Bieber. On his new album, he, at least, attempts to set the record straight. Lead release “DAISIES” debuts at #6 this week.

Kris Kross Amsterdam move up to #8 with “Ze Komt Uit Amsterdam”, an ode to the Dutch capitol to celebrate its 750^th birthday. It interpolates Maggie MacNeals her Eurovision hit “Amsterdam” which finished in fifth place in 1980. As expected, Kris Kross Amsterdam are once again joined by popular Dutch singers to bring the vocals. Andre Hazes Jr. joins the track; he is the son of the legendary late Amsterdam-born singer Andre Hazes, whose music is still very well-known in the Netherlands and Flanders. “Ze Komt Uit Amsterdam” also marks the first Top 10-entry in more than five years for the featured pop singer Tabitha. She is best known for her hip hop-pop singles that dominated the late 10s, including her duet “Is Dit Over” with Ronnie Flex or the fierce “Jou & Mij”. 2019 was an incredible year for Tabitha, hitting Number 1 three times with back-to-back singles “Hij Is Van Mij”, “Moment” and “Ai”. At the turn of the decade, Tabitha her focus shifted to ballads and more personal material, though these singles did not match her previous successes. With “Ze Komt Uit Amsterdam”, Tabitha proves she hasn’t forgotten her pop sensibilities and notches up her landmark tenth Top 10-hit.

King of Latin Trap, Bad Bunny, joins the competition for song of the summer with the exciting New York-tribute “NUEVAYoL” at #26. It’s taken from his album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, of which its lead single of the same name became his first solo Number 1-hit on my personal chart over the first months of the year. “NUEVAYoL” received a music video recently in which Bad Bunny plays a message that simulates Donald Trump, repenting of his policies and apologizing to immigrants in America. South-Korean girl group Blackpink return for the first time in over two years with the thrilling “Jump” at #28. With a music video directed by Dave Myers, it managed to reach the top of the Global Top 50 on Spotify. During their sort-of hiatus, the Blackpink girls went solo with varying results. Jisoo went solo with “Flowers”, while Rosé achieved big international success with “APT.”, though both did not crack this Top 40. Lisa worked with RAYE and Doja Cat on the Top 40-hit “Born Again” and Jennie scored four Top 40-hits off her debut album, including a #11-peak for “Mantra” and a new collaboration with Dua Lipa. Finally, Olivia Dean re-enters the chart with “Dive” at #39 following her breakthrough with “Rein Me In” up at #1 and “Nice to Each Other” at #12. It’s not uncommon for artists their old songs to resurge on the charts following a mainstream breakthrough – Chappell Roan experienced something very similar lats year following “Good Luck, Babe!” its breakout.

Newly certified

“Rein Me In” – Sam Fender & Olivia Dean GOLD

“Headphones On” – Addison Rae GOLD

“Tonight” – PinkPantheress GOLD

“Alles Wordt Beter” – Emma Heesters GOLD

‘Show Me Love” – WizTheMC, bees & honey, Tyla PLATINUM