Looking at the UK Singles & Albums Charts : 5th January 2024

It's the first week of 2024 and almost all the Christmas songs have fallen out.

The songs that were released in 2023 all mark their return and more artists are set to take to the charts either for the first time or for more.

So, what's been kicking off this week?

SINGLES

Noah Kahan secures his first UK number 1 single with "Stick Season", proving that guitar music will 'stick' around this 'season'. 

Noah was born on the first day of 1997 and has been making music since 2016. It's been a few months ago since he has finally hit the peak.

His album of the same name was released in October 2022 and has now gained traction because of TikTok (of course).

Another song from Kahan, named "Northern Attitude" is also back in the charts at #28.

At #2, Jack Harlow's 'Lovin On Me' rockets back to #2. He's had a crazy few years since "What's Poppin'" in April 2020.

While his latest song marked his first #1 in the UK, his music hasn't pleased a lot of critics while his fanbase continues to stick around.

At #3 it's newcomer Casso with help from Raye and D-Block Europe. "Prada" almost took the top spot in November, only to take the runner up spot instead. 

"Prada" is a remix of D-Block Europe's "Ferrari Horses", which was originally released in March 2021 and peaked at #14 in the UK Singles Charts.

Raye has had a fantastic 2003. Her album "My 21st Century Blues" was nominated for the Mercury Prize and had a #1 hit with "Escapism" with 070 Shake.

D-Block Europe consist of two rappers; Young Adz and Dirtbike LB. Both have been around since 2010, only to make into the charts for the first time in 2018. They are set to release their third album, "Rolling Stone" on the 12th January.

At #4 is Tate McRae, who's set to have a massive 2024. "Greedy" peaked at #3 last year, only to fall down due to the Christmas holidays. 

Her second album, "Think Later" was released just in time for Christmas and is likely to do more numbers this month.

And at #5, "Cruel Summer" makes a comeback at #4. This is likely due to her success with her 'Eras' tour and her re-recording of her past albums for Republic Records. 

A re-recording of Reputation seems likely, yet it has not been confirmed by Swift for now.

Going from 40 to 6, we start off with a surprise return for both Mason & Princess Superstar with the 2000s club hit "Perfect (Exceeder)" at #40. 

It was originally released as an instrumental by the name of "Exceeder" in 2006. A year later, Princess Superstar added vocals to the track, taking it to #3 in January 2007. 

Why is it back all of a sudden? It's because of Saltburn, a movie that was released recently. Another song from the movie has also re-entered the chart, we'll talk about that later.

Going up the charts, "Mr Brightside" by the Killers finally returns to the top 40 at #31.

It charted at #10 in June 2004 and has continued to stay in the minds of millions, thanks to the song being played in nightclubs and parties.

"Runaway" by Kanye West & Pusha T was released in November 2010, only missing out at #56. Fourteen years later, it's reached #23.

A lurker outside the top 40 finally breaks in. Paul Russell's "Lil' Boo Thang" makes it to #20 this week. And yes, thank TikTok for all of this.

Paul originally started as a Christian rapper, only to change his style recently. 

The song samples "Best Of My Love" by the Emotions, a song written by some members from Earth Wind & Fire.

At #14, it seems like we have found the next Rag 'n' Bone Man. His name is Teddy Swims and his song "Lose Control" is his first hit in the UK.

Teddy's real name is Jaten Collin Dimsdale and got signed to Warner Records because of his covers he posted onto his YouTube channel.

Time will tell if he'll continue to thrive or will only be known as a one hit wonder.

And at #8, the Saltburn effect continues as "Murder On The Dancefloor" by Sophie-Ellis Bextor smashes into the top 10 for the first time since 2001.

Sophie had started her career with a Britpop band called Theaudience. After a few hits, the band split up.

She would become well known thanks to the help of Italian DJ Spiller, she would add vocals to his track "Groovejet" in 2000 and would be released on the same day of Victoria Beckham's first solo single "Out Of Your Mind". 

Sophie and Spiller beat Posh Spice on the final day of the week. While Spiller remains a DJ, enjoying his own success in the clubs, Sophie has become a household name in the UK.

ALBUMS

Like the Singles Charts, the Albums charts also see many albums rising back to the charts again.

Lewis Capaldi's second album 'Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent' rockets back to #1, beating both Taylor Swift, and the Weeknd to the top.

Abba's compilation album is still in the top 5. It was originally released in 1992 as a reaction to Erasure's "Abba-esque" EP, which covered songs from the band.

"Gold" is one out of four albums that have spent over 1000 weeks in the album charts. 

The album with the most weeks in the charts is Queen's "Greatest Hits" (released in 1981) with a mouth-watering 1390 weeks. That means that it's been in the charts for over 26 years!

Elsewhere in the top 40, 50 Cent's compilation album "Best Of" enters at #39, it includes hits such as "In Da Club" and "Ayo Technology".

Rolling Stone's "Hackney Diamonds" falls from #1 to #25, charting lower than George Michael's compilation album "Twenty Five".

Overall, there are no new entries in the top 40.

And so, the first week of 2024 brings us surprises and nostalgia.

Next week sees the release of Liam Gallagher's new single "Just Another Rainbow", with help from Stone Roses guitarist John Squire. 

Bring Me The Horizon return with a new single called "Kool Aid", it's set to become their first top 10 hit.

And in the albums chart, underrated York rockers Shed Seven release their 6th album "A Matter Of Time". 

The group have been around since 1990 and have had hits in the charts such as "Dolphin", "Going For Gold", "Chasing Rainbows" and "Disco Down".