TURN IT UP TUESDAY: What’s New In Stores This Week (March 3)

Piece of the chart pie.

It’s a new month and there’s a new set of releases ready to storm the top of the charts, including the latest from a pop star with TV roots and several newcomers. Here are the albums and singles that are new in stores for the week of March 3:

• Former American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson takes it Piece By Piece with her latest studio album, featuring the single “Heartbeat Song”, which is currently enjoying a nice digital run and moderate airtime at three formats. With her run of six consecutive top five debuts, including two #1 albums, this will obviously be up there next week. Question is, will the set be as strong in the long run? Hard to tell at this point. (iTunes)
• You know them from the top ten hit “Me And My Broken Heart” and their current single “Hotel Ceiling”, and now those youngsters who call themselves Rixton are finally out with their delayed album, Let The Road. The initial hype from it is largely gone, but it should make a decent entry on the charts, especially with such a long pre-order window. (iTunes)
• Other releases out this week include: AJR‘s Living Room (iTunes), Brandi Carlile‘s The Firewatcher’s Daughter (iTunes), Lady Lamb The Beekeeper‘s After (iTunes), Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds‘s Chasing Yesterday (iTunes), Purity Ring‘s Another Eternity (iTunes), RuPaul‘s Realness (iTunes), The Janoskians‘s Would You Love Me (EP) (iTunes) and Tuxedo‘s Tuxedo (iTunes).

New digital-only singles that you can buy this week include:

• “Adore”, new from Cashmere Cat and Ariana Grande. (iTunes)
• “Double Tap”, new from Jordin Sparks and 2 Chainz. (iTunes)
• “I Really Like You”, the new single from Carly Rae Jepsen. (iTunes)
• “Let You Go”, a collaboration from The Chainsmokers and Great Good Fine OK. (iTunes)
• “New Romantics”, a former 1989 deluxe track from Taylor Swift. (iTunes)

Next week, it’s the latest Spring Break compilation from Luke Bryan versus Madonna and her Rebel Heart of a release for a chance at the top. How will they do against newcomers Fences and Sheppard? A full preview is coming in seven.

RADIO REPORT: POP! Goes The Picks (March 2015)

It’s time once again to analyze the airwaves and find out if your favorite new singles will be lighting up the national charts in 2015. Which tracks will climb to the top and which ones will hit a stop? Here’s a selection of new singles being serviced in March on the AAA, Alternative, CHR and Hot AC formats in this month’s Radio Report:

CHR (*) and HOT AC (**)

THE AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT – “California” (March 2) (**)
Label: Epic
Best known for their 2009 hit “Sometime Around Midnight”, their only charting single on the Hot AC survey to date, the Los Angeles band is looking to rank again with a song named after their home state. Their latest album is Dope Machines.

EDEN XO – “The Weekend” (March 2) (*)
Label: Virgin/Capitol
Late in 2014, “Too Cool To Dance” was gaining airplay at the CHR format, but its sales were never spectacular and as the new year began, it quickly fell off playlists. Luckily, there’s now a follow-up on the air, another glossy girl’s night anthem.

SCARS ON 45 – “Tasted Every Tear” (March 2) (**)
Label: Nettwerk
The English quartet have a split single release in action for the moment, with “Take You Home” still climbing at the AAA format and “Tasted” now being serviced at Hot AC. Both songs are taken from Safety In Numbers, released last October.

JACQUIE LEE – “Tears Fall” (March 9) (*)
Label: 300/Atlantic
No need to cry over two tearful titles on the schedule this month, that’s just how it happens sometimes. This new single, a second radio attempt from the former The Voice contestant, is the follow-up to 2014’s “Broken Ones” and a Sia co-write.

DJ SNAKE & ALUNAGEORGE – “You Know You Like It” (March 16) (*)
Label: Interscope
The French DJ/producer, born as William Grigahcine, was behind one of last spring and summer’s big party anthems, the top five single “Turn Down For What”. The English duo, known overseas, is enjoying their first chance at a CHR radio hit.

RIHANNA – “Towards The Sun” (from Home) (March 16) (*)
Label: Westbury Road Ent.
While “FourFiveSeconds” continues to climb up the charts, the Barbadian performer has another single on deck with this release from the forthcoming DreamWorks film Home. She also voices the lead character, a lovable teenager named Tip.

CARLY RAE JEPSEN – “I Really Like You” (March 23) (*)
Label: Interscope
We really, really, really, really, really, really liked “Call Me Maybe” and “Good Time” back in 2012, and her album Kiss is still highly regarded in the pop community. Needless to say, the fast reaction has been really positive for Jepsen’s return.

AVRIL LAVIGNE – “Give You What You Like” (March 30) (**)
Label: Epic
Nearly two years after her self-titled era launched with the moderate success of “Here’s To Never Growing Up” and a few smaller releases, Lavigne is getting a fourth U.S. single from the project. The mellow cut went to Canadian radio last year.

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ALTERNATIVE (*) and AAA (**)

LIFE IN FILM – “Get Closer” (March 2) (*)
Label: +1/300
Here’s a new name on the list of acts going for adds. Several years ago, these four indie rockers formed their band in East London, and after a couple of EPs, Dominic, Edward, Micky and Sam land their first American single. Look out for more.

NATE RUESS – “Nothing Without Love” (March 2) (* + **)
Label: Fueled By Ramen/RRP
It’s no fun without fun., and so, lead singer Ruess is putting together a solo project, which will be released later this year. The anthemic song is already impacting (and charting) at multiple formats and looks like a sure winner during the spring.

IMAGINE DRAGONS – “Shots” (March 9) (*)
Label: Interscope
Breathing fire once again onto the format are these four fellows and their recent #1 album, Smoke + Mirrors. If “I Bet My Life” could only reach #3, bets might be off for this one going to the top, but its initial sales suggest that it’ll still peak well.

JAMES BAY – “Hold Back The River” (March 9) (*)
Label: Republic
Newcomer Bay’s song is already a top ten hit in his native England, along with Australia and New Zealand, and that buzz is translating well here in the States. Cruising well into the top 30 at AAA, this will be on the Alternative airwaves very soon.

DELTA RAE – “Scared” (March 16) (**)
Label: Sire/ADA
The pride of North Carolina broke onto the AAA scene in 2012 with “Bottom Of The River”, to minor chart numbers, and “If I Loved You”, making a run at the top five in 2013. Their haunting hit leads an anticipated sophomore set due in April.

HOZIER – “Work Song” (March 16) (* + **)
Label: Columbia
Coming off two big singles at the AAA format (“From Eden” lacked Alternative support), the soon-to-be 25-year-old Irish singer’s third U.S. release seems like a no-brainer at both formats. Will it lead the “Church” of programmers? We will see.

BØRNS – “Electric Love” (March 23) (*)
Label: Interscope
If you’ve been living under a rock, then you’ve missed all the co-signs, syncs and other hype on this talented newcomer, a Michigan native that’s now based in sunny California. Given all that prior love, this could be a monster as 2015 continues.

RUEN BROTHERS – “Summer Sun” (March 23) (*)
Label: Republic
This is the debut U.S. single from English siblings Henry and Rupert, which was pushed back from an initial radio date of a few weeks ago. Several Alternative outlets are soaking it all in so far, and as temperatures build, so will the song’s gains.

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Which songs would you like to see do well from the list above? Let me know! Comment below or click the “Get Social!” tab to find PGTC on social media.

Highlights from Adam’s Top 40: March 1, 2015

Being #1 never goes out of “Style”.

DEBUTS
40. Delta Rae – Scared
39. Mat Kearney – Billion
30. Nate Ruess – Nothing Without Love | HIGHEST DEBUT

TOP GAINERS
31. Take That – Let In The Sun (36)
27. Lifehouse – Hurricane (33)
26. The Script – Man On A Wire (35) | BIGGEST MOVER
18. Fancy Reagan – Knock Me Out (24)
16. Tori Kelly – Nobody Love (23)
14. Life Of Dillon – Overload (19)
06. Years & Years – King (11)

THIS WEEK’S TOP TEN
10. Saint Motel – My Type (14) | PEAK: #10
09. Kelly Clarkson – Heartbeat Song (12) | PEAK: #09
08. Maroon 5 – Sugar (10) | PEAK: #08
07. Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk (06) | PEAK: #03
06. Years & Years – King (11) | PEAK: #06
05. Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud (05) | PEAK: #01 for four weeks
04. Mat Kearney – Heartbeat (02) | PEAK: #02
03. The Script – No Good In Goodbye (01) | PEAK: #01 for two weeks
02. Ellie Goulding – Love Me Like You Do (04) | PEAK: #02
01. Taylor Swift – Style (03) | PEAK: #01 for one week | NEW #1

Top 10 Next In Line:
1. Lawson – Roads (6)
2. MAGIC! – No Way No (4)
3. BØRNS – Electric Love (9)
4. Kid Rock – First Kiss (2)
5. Melanie Martinez – Dollhouse (8)
6. Gorgon City featuring Jennifer Hudson – Go All Night (3)
7. North Of Nine – Can It Be You? (-)
8. Nickelback – She Keeps Me Up (-)
9. Francesco Yates – Better To Be Loved (-)
10. Eden XO – The Weekend (-)

In The Mix:
Causes – Teach Me How To Dance With You
Coin – Run
Daniel Johns – Aerial Love
Death Cab For Cutie – Black Sun
Ed Sheeran – Bloodstream
Greg Holden – Hold On Tight
Jess Glynne – Hold My Hand
Kacey Musgraves – Biscuits (new)
LunchMoney Lewis – Bills
Mark Ronson featuring Kevin Parker – Daffodils
Matt Woods – In The Dark
Oh Hellos – Hello My Old Heart
Olly Murs – Seasons
Passion Pit – Lifted Up (1985)
Ruen Brothers – Summer Sun
Scars On 45 – Take You Home
Scars On 45 – Tasted Every Tear
The Mowgli’s – I’m Good
Zara Larsson – Uncover

Chart Notes:

• After two weeks at #1, The Script say “Goodbye” to the top spot as Taylor Swift advances 3-1 with “Style”. Swift has now reached the top with the first three singles from her album 1989 and gives her a fifth career #1 atop my chart. Even more stylish than that, “Style” is now the biggest song to use that word in its title, topping the #2 peak of Blu Cantrell‘s “Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!)” on my top 40 during the summer of 2001. That’s real fashionable, folks. A fourth release off Swift’s album has not been named as of yet.
• The week’s Highest Debut, roaring in at #30, is “Nothing Without Love”, a solo hit from fun. frontman Nate Ruess. It comes in the middle of a hiatus for the trio, though Ruess’s forthcoming solo effort is sure to satisfy fans of the group. It isn’t the first time Ruess has appeared as a solo on the top 40: back in 2013, he, along with Pink, spent five weeks at the top with “Just Give Me A Reason”. We’ll see if his latest single can repeat that run.
• Further down the list at #39 is this week’s second debut, “Billion” by Mat Kearney. This is the second song to chart off his recent album, Just Kids. The first, “Heartbeat”, is still in the top five, though that single was recently pulled from the air when “Heartbeat Song” by Kelly Clarkson (which enters my top ten this week) quickly leaped on the Hot AC chart.  The set will likely see a top 20 debut on the album chart.
• Finally, coming in at #40, is the new single from the six-piece act out of North Carolina who call themselves Delta Rae. It’s great to have them back on the chart with “Scared”, taken from their forthcoming album titled After It All. The band last made the top 40 a year ago with “Chasing Twisters”, which is also included on the tracklisting. Look for the single at radio in two weeks.

(See my full chart on the M4BCC message board)

ADAM’S TOP 40 FLASHBACK: February 27, 2005

Making the chart their “Home”.

It is time for yet another trip back into the archives on Adam’s Top 40 Flashback! Every Saturday, the day before my latest top 40 goes up for the week, I’ll be featuring a past countdown straight from chart files of Adam’s Top 40. They’re all here — the hit songs, the songs that flopped, and the songs that may be a little embarrassing to reflect on. Alright, let’s get a move on back to the colder times at the end of February and take a look at my favorite songs from this week in 2005…

Debuts:
39. KEANE, “Everybody’s Changing”
36. ALY & A.J., “Do You Believe In Magic?”
33. GARBAGE, “Why Do You Love Me?”
28. INGRAM HILL, “Almost Perfect”

Biggest Mover(s):
HALL & OATES, “I Can Dream About You” (33-23, ten spots)

10. GWEN STEFANI featuring EVE, “Rich Girl” (down 2)
Album: Love. Angel. Music. Baby. (2004, Interscope Records)
Peak: #5 for three weeks

09. HOWIE DAY, “Collide” (up 2)
Album: Stop All The World Now (2003, Epic Records)
Peak: #1 for three weeks

08. DARREN HAYES, “Darkness” (down 2)
Album: The Tension And The Spark (2004, Columbia Records)
Peak: #1 for two weeks

07. JACK JOHNSON, “Sitting, Waiting, Wishing” (up 2)
Album: In Between Dreams (2005, Brushfire/Universal Republic Records)
Peak: #1 for one week

06. THE KILLERS, “Mr. Brightside” (up 1)
Album: Hot Fuss (2004, Island Records)
Peak: #1 for three weeks

05. CARBON LEAF, “Life Less Ordinary” (down 2)
Album: Indian Summer (2004, Vanguard Records)
Peak: #2

04. MICHAEL BUBLÉ, “Home” (up 1)
Album: It’s Time (2005, 143/Reprise Records)
Peak: #3 for four weeks

03. DURAN DURAN, “What Happens Tomorrow” (up 1)
Album: Astronaut (2004, Epic Records)
Peak: #1 for six weeks

02. LOW MILLIONS, “Eleanor” (steady, second week)
Album: Ex-Girlfriends (2004, EMI/Manhattan Records)
Peak: #2 for three weeks

01. ROB THOMAS, “Lonely No More” (steady, fourth week)
Album: …Something To Be (2005, Melisma/Atlantic Records)
Peak: #1 for six weeks

Check back next Saturday for another Adam’s Top 40 Flashback countdown and don’t forget to follow the blog by using the tab below or find PGTC on social media by clicking the “Get Social!” tab at the top of the page.

TURN IT UP TUESDAY: What’s New In Stores This Week (February 24)

Sky high on the charts.

Last week, the charts were rocking out to a big new sound. Now, it’s back to the urban side of music as the heavyweights come forward and set their sights on #1. Here are the albums and singles that are new in stores for the week of February 24:

• Rapper Big Sean hasn’t had an album out since the fall of 2013, but both of his previous sets have only gone as high as #3 on the Billboard 200 survey. That may now change with his latest effort, Dark Sky Paradise, led by a single that got onto three radio formats, the Platinum-selling “I Don’t F–k With You”. That new energy and momentum should help to boost numbers; we’ll see just how much of an effect it has very soon. (iTunes)
• If you enjoy Chris Brown, Tyga, or a combination of the two performers, you may remember that they worked on a mixtape together several years back. Now, the two are back for an official studio release, Fan Of A Fan – The Album. It features the current Rhythm and Urban top ten single, “Ayo”. Given their respective fanbases, it’s clear that this one is due for a solid first week, probably inside the top five. (iTunes)
• Still reliving the memories of young love, Kid Rock is back with an album entitled First Kiss. That title also happens to be the name of his latest single, currently top 20 at Active Rock radio and top 40 at Hot AC. Though he doesn’t possess the selling power that he once did, the set should make a solid debut in the top ten, if not higher. (iTunes)
• Other releases out this week include: All That Remains‘s The Order Of Things (iTunes), Emile Haynie‘s We Fall (iTunes), Falling In Reverse‘s Just Like You (iTunes), Mat Kearney‘s Just Kids (iTunes), MisterWives‘s Our Own House (iTunes), Red‘s of Beauty and Rage (iTunes), The Airborne Toxic Event‘s Dope Machines (iTunes) and the soundtrack to television’s Sons Of Anarchy called Songs Of Anarchy, Volume 4 (iTunes).

New digital-only singles that you can buy this week include:

• “Invincible”, the first of five instant grat tracks this week from Kelly Clarkson. (iTunes)
• “I Want You To Know”, a collaboration from rumored couple Zedd and Selena Gomez. (iTunes)
• “Nothing Without Love”, a solo single from fun.‘s Nate Ruess. (iTunes)

Next week, former American Idol champ Kelly Clarkson and the comeback kids Modest Mouse will be among the top ten debuts on the Billboard 200. How high can they and newcomers like Rixton go? A full preview is coming in seven!

Highlights from Adam’s Top 40: February 22, 2015

Not saying “Goodbye” to the top… yet.

DEBUTS
38. Who Is Fancy – Goodbye
37. Hudson Taylor – World Without You
36. Take That – Let In The Sun
35. The Script – Man On A Wire | HIGHEST DEBUT

TOP GAINERS
33. Lifehouse – Hurricane (38)
24. Fancy Reagan – Knock Me Out (29)
23. Tori Kelly – Nobody Love (33) | BIGGEST MOVER
19. Life Of Dillon – Overload (24)
14. Saint Motel – My Type (21)
11. Years & Years – King (16)

THIS WEEK’S TOP TEN
10. Maroon 5 – Sugar (11) | PEAK: #10
09. Andy Grammer – Honey, I’m Good (09) | PEAK: #09
08. One Direction – Night Changes (06) | PEAK: #05
07. Martin Luke Brown – Nostalgia (07) | PEAK: #07
06. Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk (04) | PEAK: #03
05. Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud (03) | PEAK: #01 for four weeks
04. Ellie Goulding – Love Me Like You Do (08) | PEAK: #04
03. Taylor Swift – Style (05) | PEAK: #03
02. Mat Kearney – Heartbeat (02) | PEAK: #02
01. The Script – No Good In Goodbye (01) | PEAK: #01 for two weeks

Top 10 Next In Line:
1. Nate Ruess – Nothing Without Love (-)
2. Kid Rock – First Kiss (3)
3. Gorgon City featuring Jennifer Hudson – Go All Night (1)
4. MAGIC! – No Way No (8)
5. Mat Kearney – Billion (-)
6. Lawson – Roads (-)
7. Brandi Carlile – Wherever Is Your Heart (6)
8. Melanie Martinez – Dollhouse (9)
9. BØRNS – Electric Love (-)
10. Delta Rae – Scared (-)

In The Mix:
Bea Miller – Fire N Gold
Causes – Teach Me How To Dance With You
Coin – Run
Daniel Johns – Aerial Love
Death Cab For Cutie – Black Sun
Echosmith – Bright
Eden XO – The Weekend
Ed Sheeran – Bloodstream
Francesco Yates – Better To Be Loved (new)
Greg Holden – Hold On Tight
Jess Glynne – Hold My Hand
LunchMoney Lewis – Bills
Mark Ronson featuring Kevin Parker – Daffodils
Matt Woods – In The Dark
North Of Nine – Can It Be You?
Oh Hellos – Hello My Old Heart
Olly Murs – Seasons
Passion Pit – Lifted Up (1985) (new)
Ruen Brothers – Summer Sun
Scars On 45 – Take You Home
Scars On 45 – Tasted Every Tear
The Mowgli’s – I’m Good
Zara Larsson – Uncover

Chart Notes:

• This week’s Highest Debut is from the group that also holds the week’s #1 song, “No Good In Goodbye”. That’s the Irish trio The Script, and they enter at #35 with the follow-up, “Man On A Wire”. This marks the third release to hit the top 40 from their most recent album, No Sound Without Silence. The three men hail from Dublin, as do the two brothers of Hudson Taylor. They enter at #37 with “World Without You”, their third chart entry since the fall of 2013. The song is from Singing For Strangers, the duo’s debut album, a recent top five release in the home country.
• At #36 is “Let In The Sun”, shining onto the survey from longtime British hitmakers Take That. “Sun” is the follow-up to “These Days”, which spent a week at #1 in December, becoming their biggest single thus far on my top 40. While lead singer Gary Barlow continues to promote with the band, he’s also getting ready for the big Broadway debut of Finding Neverland, based on the 2004 film, which he wrote the music for. It opens later this spring.
• Down at #38 is the track from the mysterious campaign that’s being credited as just Who Is Fancy on most radio lists. The singer and writer from Nashville continues to gain at multiple formats with his debut single. As for whom this fancy fellow is, well, some of us who are in the know are aware. Otherwise, his identity will likely be revealed soon.

(See my full chart on the M4BCC message board)

ADAM’S TOP 40 FLASHBACK: February 21, 2010

The hits “according” to me.

It is time for yet another trip back into the archives on Adam’s Top 40 Flashback! Every Saturday, the day before my latest top 40 goes up for the week, I’ll be featuring a past countdown straight from chart files of Adam’s Top 40. They’re all here — the hit songs, the songs that flopped, and the songs that may be a little embarrassing to reflect on. Alright, let’s get a move on back to the heart of the winter in mid-February and take a look at my favorite songs from this week in 2010…

Debuts:
40. DANIEL MERRIWEATHER, “Red”
39. ERIK HASSLE, “Hurtful”

Biggest Mover(s):
COLBIE CAILLAT, “I Never Told You” (30-17, thirteen spots)

10. JOSHUA RADIN, “I’d Rather Be With You” (up 6)
Album: Simple Times (2008, Mom + Pop Records)
Peak: #10 for two weeks

09. BARENAKED LADIES, “You Run Away” (up 1)
Album: All In Good Time (2010, Raisin’/EMI Records)
Peak: #5

08. THE FRAY, “Syndicate” (down 1)
Album: The Fray (2009, Epic Records)
Peak: #7 for two weeks

07. JOHN MAYER, “Heartbreak Warfare” (up 1)
Album: Battle Studies (2009, Columbia Records)
Peak: #3 for four weeks

06. DAUGHTRY, “Life After You” (down 1)
Album: Leave This Town (2009, 19/RCA Records)
Peak: #5 for six weeks

05. ADAM LAMBERT, “Whataya Want From Me” (up 1)
Album: For Your Entertainment (2009, 19/RCA Records)
Peak: #1 for two weeks

04. LIFEHOUSE, “Halfway Gone” (down 1)
Album: Smoke And Mirrors (2010, Geffen Records)
Peak: #3 for eight weeks

03. THE SCRIPT, “Breakeven” (down 1)
Album: The Script (2008, Epic Records)
Peak: #1 for one week

02. ORIANTHI, “According To You” (up 2)
Album: Believe (2009, Geffen Records)
Peak: #2 for three weeks

01. LADY ANTEBELLUM, “Need You Now” (steady, sixth week)
Album: Need You Now (2010, Capitol Nashville Records)
Peak: #1 for eleven weeks

Check back next Saturday for another Adam’s Top 40 Flashback countdown and don’t forget to follow the blog by using the tab below or find PGTC on social media by clicking the “Get Social!” tab at the top of the page.