Music has been a lifeline for so many of us during the coronavirus pandemic. So it’s thrilling to see the nation embracing one of our own and giving The Smith Street Band their first number one album this week. Don’t Waste Your Anger is the perfect isolation soundtrack, with all the angst you need for such a difficult time in history. The new single “The End of the World” is a case in point.
The Smith Street Band’s album is keeping company on the ARIA albums charts with Artists Unite for Fire Fight, which sits at number six, and Calm from 5 Seconds of Summer, which is at number eight.
Over on the singles charts Tones and I is our lone representative in the top 10. Her monster smash “Dance Monkey” is heading back up the charts and currently sits at number 10.
Here are this week’s complete top 10s. What have you been listening to?
Top 10 Albums
1. Don’t Waste Your Anger – The Smith Street Band
2. Future Nostalgia – Dua Lipa
3. After Hours – The Weeknd
4. Fine Line – Harry Styles
5. When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? – Billie Eilish
6. Artists Unite For Fire Fight – Various
7. Blame it On Baby – DaBaby
8. Calm – 5 Seconds of Summer
9. Hollywood’s Bleeding – Post Malone
10. Diamonds – Elton John
Top 10 Singles
1. “Roses” – SAINt JHN
2. “Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd
3. “Toosie Slide” – Drake
4. “Don’t Start Now” – Dua Lipa
5. “death bed” – Powfu
6. “Intentions” – Justin Bieber feat. Quavo
7. “Break My Heart” – Dua Lipa
8. “Say So” – Doja Cat
9. “Supalonely” – Benee feat. Gus Dapperton
10. “Dance Monkey” – Tones and I
Jimmy Barnes has smashed records this week, becoming the artist with the most number one albums on the ARIA charts in history. His latest album My Criminal Record debuted at number one, becoming his 12th chart-topper. The feat sees him pass Madonna and U2, who both have 11 number ones to their name.
Conrad Sewell has become the latest Aussie to top the album charts. His long-awaited debut Life, which features the number one singles “Start Again” and “Healing Hands,” stormed straight to number one in its first week of release this week. 
An Australian act hasn’t held the number one position on the ARIA singles and albums charts since Gotye was sitting pretty with “Somebody That I Used to Know” and Making Mirrors in August 2011. This week 5 Seconds in Summer become only the 33rd local act to achieve the feat with their single “Youngblood” enjoying its fifth week at number one and the album of the same name shooting to the top of the charts on debut.
I honestly can’t remember the last time we saw Aussie acts on top of the albums and singles charts. But this week we’ve been supporting our own, keeping 5 Seconds of Summer at number one on the singles charts with “Youngblood” and propelling Sheppard to number one on debut with their sophomore album Watching the Sky. This is 5SOS’s fourth consecutive week at number one with their new album’s title track. That album dropped on Friday. Expect it to make a big impact on the charts next week. Meanwhile, Watching the Sky is Sheppard’s first number one album, and the fifth Aussie album release to top the charts this year.
When I reviewed Anthony Callea’s newie ARIA Number 1 Hits In Symphony during the week, I said I wouldn’t be surprised if it does as Backbone did and found itself at the top of the ARIA charts. So I’m not shocked to see it’s pushed Ed Sheeran’s ÷ off its perch, but I am thrilled. It’s a really special album that deserves all the accolades.
