Alice Merton is one of the biggest surprise crossover hits of the year, in this case that means crossing over the ocean! Already a huge hit in Europe, this song has been steadily building here in the USA. She has three more shows this week in Portland, Denver and Seattle, but has already announced a European tour that will keep her busy through the Spring.

"Good Grief", Dessa's new single is scorching up the chart already! One of my live highlights this year was in Rochester this summer when she really turned up the heat on a beautiful summer night. Her next show in Lutsen could melt all the snow on the mountain, with her friends MONAKR, Aby Wolf and Eric Mayson at Papa Charlies, Janurary 27th.

Also blowing my M.I.N.D. is the sudden rise of Superorganism, the highest mover this week up 14 places! They are, as the BBC put it, possibly the most geographically diverse band ever to make it on to their Sound Of ...list.

Her song "New York" was picked by Jill, Anna, Jesse, and Shelley, and her album by Andrea and myself, which makes St. Vincent one of our staff's top artists of the year. Up to #8 this week, she's poised to be inducted again next week. Check all the staff's Top Ten lists and send your own, to help us compile the Top 89 end of year lists.

Arcade Fire are the highest new entry this week, with the 3rd song from their Everything Now album. Reportedly playing to half-empty arenas in some parts of the country this year, the show has had great reviews. But they are also not showing up on end of year lists as you might expect. Rolling Stone, Consequence of Sound, Pitchfork and The Guardian have so far not listed them at all. Perhaps the NME will though as they gave the album 5 stars earlier this year.

Also new this week, for the first time on our chart on his own is ex-Vampire Weekender Rostam, with the psychedelic "Bike Dream". Dreams seem to be a theme on our playlist right now, there's two of them on the chart. Three if you count LCD Soundsystem's album title. And if you're a fan, dreaming of a new Vampire Weekend album that will include Rostam, you might be in luck. In a new interview his other half Ezra Koenig reveals that a new album is indeed being put together; "in the exact same way as we've always worked." A change this time though maybe the influence of...Kacey Musgraves?!

An artist who has been showing up on a lot of end of year lists is new at #20 this week. SZA's 'Ctrl' was #20 on Rolling Stone #7 on Consequence Of Sound, #2 with our friends at NPR and on Pitchfork, being beaten out both times by Kendrick Lamar.

Submit your Chart Show ballot this week for a chance to win a pair of tickets to Lana Del Rey at the Target Center on January 5, 2018!

Related

• The Chart Show Ballot
• The Chart Show Hall of Fame