We’re headed into our annual summer break from charts and Brooklyn-based quartet Crumb heads into the week off with a third frame at #1 on the NACC 200 with their third LP, AMAMA (out on their own Crumb Records). Since 2016, the four friends who met at Tufts University began developing and recording music that lead singer Lila Ramani started in writing high school. That collaboration became their first two EPs. Since then, three LPs have followed, all of which reached the Top 10 on the NACC 200. With a week away, it’s anyone’s guess who will be #1 when we return with July 9 charts. But interestingly, it was La Luz, after dropping 2-3 last week, that got back in front of DIIV this week, rising back 3-2, and closed the gap on Crumb. All three albums are losing points, so it’s possible we’ll see a fourth mystery band rise to the top when we return.
That mystery band that could challenge for #1 on the next NACC 200 just might be The Decemberists. They enjoyed the most-added album last week when their ninth LP, As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again (Thirty Tigers), went for adds. After debuting at #73 on the NACC 200 last week, their album soars to #6 this week, following 2018’s I’ll Be Your Girl into the top tier. Now they’ll try and do what that album wasn’t able to and get to #1. They’ve already reached #1 on the NACC Non-Comm Chart, debuting in the pole position this week, the first album to do that since September of last year.
The second album to reach the Top 10 this week comes from Los Angeles quartet The Marias. We featured the band here three weeks ago when they scored the highest debut of the week at #34. Lead singer Maria Zardoya met Josh Conway at a show where she was on the bill and he was running sound. They began collaborating almost immediately and began dating as well. The band quickly formed and has released two LPs, including their latest, Submarine (Atlantic). It has now become their first NACC 200 Top 10-peaking album, rising 13-10 this week. They spend a second week at #1 on NACC Next as well.
This week’s highest debut amazingly gives us our very first opportunity to feature Welsh musician, composer, and record producer John Cale on our NACC Wednesday Chart Recap. Cale’s musical career spans six decades, first as a founding member of the Velvet Underground, and later as an eclectic solo artist. Along the way he’s also produced music for The Stooges and Patti Smith (among others) and scored nearly 40 films. His 18th solo album, POPtical Ilusion (Domino), debuts at #35 on the NACC 200 this week.
Collecting 54 Top 10 Adds is New York City quintet Been Stellar. The nucleus of the band (vocalist Sam Slouch and guitarist Skyler Knapp) were Michigan teens that moved to NYC to attend NYU in 2017. They soon expanded into a five-piece and released their self-titled debut EP in 2022. Now comes their debut studio album, Scream From New York, NY (Dirty Hit). They best longtime indie favorites Pond and Washed Out for the Adds crown this week and should make a splashy NACC 200 debut on our next chart.
Irish quartet Fontaines DC spends an incredible ninth straight week at #1 on NACC Singles with “Starbuster.” They now have the second-longest ever #1 on this chart, just one week shy of tying Arlo Parks for the longevity crown. Their fourth album, Romance, is due August 23. Taking ‘Singles Add Honors’ this week is English singer, actress, and model Suki Waterhouse. “Supersad,” is the fifth preview track from her sophomore album, Memoir Of A Sparklemuffin, due September 13. She bests the eternal Mavis Staples by one Top 10 Add. The Japanese House and Thee Sacred Souls also reached the NACC 200 Top 30 Adds with their new singles.
