The KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack collects another double on the new-look ARIA Charts, while Australian artists John Butler and G Flip are the week’s fastest starters.
Western Australian indie artist John Butler bows at No. 3 with his solo release PRISM (via Jarrah/MGM), the third in a four-part “seasons” project — some six years in the making.
PRISM follows an album of meditations (Running River) and a fully instrumental LP (Still Searching), and was crafted entirely solo, with support from producer James Ireland (POND, San Cisco). “I was channeling Kevin Parker to see if I could do it all myself,” he tells Rolling Stone AU/NZ. “That was fun. I learned a lot about honing my production skills. I was making all the beats and all the synths and all the guitars and kind of create this symphony of sound.”
As band leader of the John Butler Trio, the roots rocker has nine top 50 albums, including ARIA Chart leaders with Sunrise Over Sea (2004), Grand National (2007), April Uprising (2010) and Home (2018).
Just missing out on a podium finish is G Flip, whose Dream Ride (AWAL) drives in at No. 4. Dream Ride is the multi-instrumentalist’s third studio album, and the followup to their 2023 chart leader Drummer. Dream Ride is the week’s best-seller on wax, to lead the ARIA Vinyl Chart.
The surprise release of Justin Bieber’s Swag II (Def Jam/Universal) refuels Swag, which bounces 20-6 on the new survey, published Friday, Sept. 12. Following its release in July, Swag debuted and peaked at No. 2.
Talking Heads singer David Byrne lands a new career high as a solo act, as Who Is The Sky? (Matador/Remote Control) debuts at No. 18. That eclipses the No. 47 for My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts, his collaborative effort with Brian Eno, released back in 1981. Talking Heads had five top 20 albums in Australia, topping out No. 2 with Little Creatures in 1985 and True Stories in 1986.
Meanwhile, U.S. indie rock band Big Thief bag a top 20 appearance with Double Infinity (4AD/Remote Control), new at No. 19.
At the top of the leaderboard, KPop Demon Hunters (via Republic/Universal) lifts 2-1 for an eighth non-consecutive week at No. 1. The LP leapfrogs Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend, down 1-2.
After pulling their music from Spotify, and inviting fans to download their catalog on Bandcamp at whatever price they choose, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard‘s strategy appears to have paid off with two entries into the top 50. Phantom Island (Virgin/Universal), released in June, returns at No. 39, and Flight b741, from 2024, reenters at No. 48.
KPop Demon Hunters proves impossible to slay, as the soundtrack to the animated Netflix hit accounts for seven singles in the top 20, led by “Golden,” which now leads the ARIA Singles Chart for a seventh consecutive week.
