Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Sufjan Stevens scored his first #1 on the NACC 200 last week. A few times this week, it looked as if Mitski, the artist that held the top spot before him, might snatch the crown back. She led the chart at many times over the reporting window. But when the dust settled, although she closed the gab between herself and Stevens slightly, it was Sufjan who came out on top and enjoyed a second week at #1 with his tenth studio album, Javelin (Asthmatic Kitty). Stevens did surrender the top spot at NACC NEXT and NACC Non-Comm to two previous chart-topping records. Mitski scored her 6th week at #1 on NACC NEXT (the most so far in 2023) and Wilco on NACC Non-Comm (their third week on top).
As was the case in each of the last two weeks, just one album reaches the NACC Top 10. There is a real logjam that has formed near the top of the chart. The records at 1-8 are all losing points this week but not enough to be moved from the Top 8. Making one of the only notable moves in the Top 11 is Brooklyn, NY native Taja Cheek, who records as L’Rain. Her third studio album, I Killed Your Dog (Mexican Summer), has a title that will make any canine lover shudder and we hope she doesn’t mean it! She rises 13-9 on the NACC 200. She also advances 23-11 at NACC NEXT and debuts at #18 on the R&B/Soul Chart.
The English duo of VV (Alison Mosshart, who is also the lead vocalist for The Dead Weather) and Hotel (Jamie Hince), who you may know better as The Kills, are back with their first album since 2016. God Games (Domino) was produced by notable producer Paul Epworth (Adele, Rihanna, Florence & The Machine) and explodes ahead from 161-27 on the NACC 200 this week. The Kills formed in 2001 and have released six studio albums, including their latest release.
Two records tie this week for ‘most-added’ honors. The first is from Minnesota native and current NYC resident Will Anderson, who records as Hotline TNT. He utilizes a rotating backing band for his live shows. The second album under the Hotline TNT moniker is called Cartwheel and is out on Jack White’s Third Man imprint. The album collects 61 Top 10 Adds and debuts at #112 on the NACC 200. The other artist scoring 61 Top 10 Adds is Los Angeles-based musician Julian Medford, who records as Ian Sweet. She’s been recording music since 2013 and SUCKER (Polyvinyl) is her fourth LP. It debuts at #157 on the NACC 200 this week.
Leave it none other than The Beatles to break a NACC Chart record. The legendary quartet of John, Paul, George, and Ringo simultaneously land most-added single honors and an immediate debut at #1 on the NACC Singles Chart this week with what is being billed as their ‘final single.’ “Now And Then” was recorded as a demo in 1977 by John Lennon. New technology allowed for Lennon’s vocals to be lifted from the original track as well as George Harrison’s guitar work. The song explodes onto the NACC Charts this week, opening at #20 on the NACC 200 (the highest debut of the week) and is an overall Top 5 add.
