Overview of the Official Charts - 26th January 2024

And just like that, January comes to a close. That was pretty fast wasn't it?

What also comes fast is the Official Charts, both Singles and Albums. So, let's take a look at what the final of week of the charts this month looks like.

SINGLES 

Missing out on the top 40 are The Last Dinner Party with their song "Nothing Matters" at #41. They were recently winners of the BBC Sound of 2024 and the BRITs Rising Star 2024.

The group's debut album 'Prelude To Ecstasy' comes out next week.

Into the top 40, at #39, Kygo & Ava Max team up together on the song "Whatever". 

It signals the return of tropical house, a genre of electronic music Kygo is well known for.

David Kushner proves that he is no 'one-hit wonder' as "Skin & Bones" enters at #36. His last single, "Daylight", still remains his biggest tune of his career.

At #35, Sam Fender's "Seventeen Going Under" re-enters the charts; it was originally released in July 2021 and charted as high as #3.

Becky Hill gains her 18th top 40 hit single with Sonny Fodera. "Never Be Alone" enters the charts at #34 this week.

Another collaboration as Ella Henderson teams up with Rudimental. "Alibi" is another new entry at #26 and samples Coolio and L.V.'s "Gangsta's Paradise". 

I honestly find the "Gangsta's Paradise" sample annoying, and it joins in the group of songs that ruin classic songs by either covering or making variations of it like this track.

In the top 20, Benson Boone returns to the charts after almost two years. His song "Beautiful Things" enters at #18.

Benson hails from Monroe in the American state of Washington (no not Washington D.C.). He made a name for himself when he shared his music online and competed in American Idol in 2021.

His first single, "Ghost Town", missed out on the top 40 in 2021 and his second single "In The Stars" peaked at #21 in 2022.

Flo Milli's "Never Lose Me" continues to rise into the charts; as of this week, it's at #17.

"Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield also rises up from 5 places to #13.

And now, in the top 10, we have a new entry at #5. And yes, it's another collaboration; once again proving that teamwork can be essential. 

This new entry is "Homesick" by Noah Kahan and Sam Fender. The boys tune their guitars for this one as Sam joins in to collaborate on one of Noah's songs.

Still in the top 10 are Taylor Swift, Tyla, Tate McRae, Dua Lipa, Casso, Jack Harlow and Ariana Grande.

At #2, it's Sophie Ellis Bextor's Saltburn classic "Murder On The Dancefloor". It unfortunately loses out on the #1 spot to Noah Kahan's juggernaut tune "Stick Season", which is now in its fourth week at the top spot.

Noah Kahan is part of the re-emergence of country music. It has seen the likes of him, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs and Oliver Anthony keep the spirit of the guitar alive (much to the dismay of electronic music fans).

ALBUMS

In the Album Charts, there are a few new entries near the top.

Missing out at #45 is 'Death Of The Party' by South Of Salem, a rock band from Bournemouth.

Throughout the top 40 are yet again an array of old albums and compilations. 

Finally, a new entry at #19. Saxon's 24th album 'Hell, Fire and Damnation' secures the Barnsley based rock band another top 20 album.

Saxon were formed in 1975 and were part of the British heavy-metal scene of the 1980s along with Motorhead, Def Leppard, and Iron Maiden.

Missing out of the top 10 is Neck Deep with their self-titled album. It's their 5th album and are currently on tour in the USA.

And at #1 it's Green Day with their 14th album 'Saviours'. It's their 5th number-one album in the UK along with 'American Idiot', '21st Century Breakdown', 'Revolution Radio' and the oddly-titled 'Father Of All...'

EPILOGUE

As another wraps up, let's take a look at some singles and albums that could chart next week.

Liam Gallagher & John Squire release another single named "Mars to Liverpool". They recently announced an album together (which will be self-titled) and will tour together this March in the UK.

Rita Ora collabs with country singer Keith Urban on the song "Shape Of Me", it's the fourth single from her album 'You & I'.

Justin Timberlake has recently announced a world tour, a new album named Everything I Thought It Was" and releases a new single named "Selfish". 

The last time a solo Timberlake song has hit the UK top 40 was "Filthy" in 2018.

And Ice Spice releases a single. It's called "Think U The S*** (Fart)". Even if the name of the song is weird, its bars will be stuck in the heads of millions.

In the world of albums, The Smile (Thom & Jonny of Radiohead and Frank of Sons of Kemet) release their second album 'Wall Of Eyes". 

Recently, Thom Yorke was announced as the composer for Daniele Luchetti's movie 'Confidenza'.

James Arthur of X Factor fame is back with a new album named 'Bitter Sweet Love'. It's his second album with Columbia Records after his former label, Syco, ceased to exist.

Finally, American synth-rock band Future Islands release their new album 'People Who Aren't There Anymore'. It's their fourth album on the indie label 4AD, which has been releasing music since 1980.