ARIA Chart Albums
As Midnight Oil started what is being billed as their final tour this week in Newcastle, the iconic Aussie rockers claimed their sixth #1 Album Chart release with their 13th studio release – Resist.
The new album is their first since The Makarrata Project which also was a chart-topper when released at the end of 2020. Other previous #1s for The Oils are Red Sails in the Sunset (#1 November 1984), Diesel and Dust (#1 August 1987), Blue Sky Mining (#1 March 1990) and 20,000 Watt RSL – The Midnight Oil Collection (#1 October 1997).
Midnight Oil commented this week: “Thanks to everyone who’s supported Resist – we greatly appreciate it – but we’re shocked that INXS and ourselves are among only four Australian artists with top 40 albums this week. What year is it again? We’ve been fortunate to have some great media support, particularly from the ABC and Triple M, but clearly the federal government needs to introduce better local content rules – and better enforcement of those rules – across all platforms to make sure that the next generation of local artists gets a fair go.”
ARIA chief executive officer Annabelle Herd went another way and was celebrating the breadth and depth of local music: “We are thrilled to see an Australian album top the chart for a second week in a row, and congratulate Midnight Oil in adding another achievement to their legendary career. From a breakthrough number one last week to a legacy act triumph this week, it is clear that the breadth and depth of Australian music is in an incredible place – something we should all be very proud to celebrate.”
The only other Top 50 debut was Perth art-rockers Methyl Ethel at #22 with their fourth album Are You Haunted? The album is the follow-up to 2019’s Triage which peaked in the chart at #11. The album topped the ARIA Vinyl Albums Chart this week.
There was another Australian artist on the chart last week, but it was a short-lived stay. Huskii’s debut album Antihero entered the chart at #1, but the Sydney rapper dropped out of the 50 this week.
A notable milestone for Dua Lipa this week as her album Future Nostalgia racks up 100 weeks on the chart.
Meanwhile, Eminem’s Curtain Call: The Hits creeps higher to #11 after 229 weeks on the chart. The latest surge for the album comes after his triumphant appearance at the Super Bowl earlier in February.
ARIA Chart Singles
It’s hard to break into the top of the Singles Chart at the moment. Seven of the top 10 have been on the chart for close to six months. The newest release in the top 10 has been charting for eight weeks.
There are just two new entries into the Top 50 – Nail Tech from Kentucky rapper Jack Harlow at #36. The track is his first solo release since 2020. Harlow had success last year with Industry Baby, a collaboration with Lil Nas X. That former ARIA #4 incidentally returned to the top 10 this week after 31 weeks on the chart.
Adele topped the chart at the end of 2021
Making way for Industry Baby in the top 10 was Adele’s Easy On Me which slipped one spot to #11 after 19 weeks on the chart.
The other new arrival is from singer-songwriter Em Beihold who makes her ARIA Singles Chart debut with Numb Little Bug. The track is not new to TikTok where it’s been used in more than 60,000 videos on the platform.
At the top of Singles Chart, Elton John & Dua Lipa’s Cold Heart (Pnau Remix) becomes one of just four singles that have spent 10 weeks at #1. The others are Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You (#1 December 1992), Sandi Thom’s I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair) (#1 September 2006) and LMFAO’s Party Rock Anthem (#1 April 2011).
2022 ARIA Chart Toppers
Singles
January 3 Mariah Carey All I Want For Christmas Is You
January 10 Elton John & Dua Lipa Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)
January 17 Elton John & Dua Lipa Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)
January 24 Elton John & Dua Lipa Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)
January 31 The Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber Stay
February 7 The Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber Stay
February 14 The Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber Stay
February 21 Elton John & Dua Lipa Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)
February 28 Elton John & Dua Lipa Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)
Albums
January 3 Adele 30
January 10 Adele 30
January 17 The Weeknd Dawn FM
January 24 The Weeknd Dawn FM
January 31 Meat Loaf Bat Out Of Hell
February 7 The Weeknd Dawn FM
February 14 Korn Requiem
February 21 Huskii Antihero
February 28 Midnight Oil Resist
See Mediaweek’s weekly ARIA Chart analysis here.