ELLA & OLIVIA BACK ON TOP, COUNTRY ICON DOLLY PARTON MOURNED

However, it's the sad passing of a true music icon which shifts things around at the top end of the Singles list as a streaming surge sees Dolly Parton back in the Top 40. The Queen of Country not only had a string of hits in Aotearoa across half a century, including some which pre-date the Official Charts entirely, but also contributed as a songwriter to the success of many others, perhaps most notably the 11-week #1 smash ‘I Will Always Love You’ performed by Whitney Houston. This week sees ‘Islands In The Stream’ with Kenny Rogers back in the Top 40 at #5, ‘Jolene’ at #9 and ‘9 To 5’ at #11. Her Ultimate album is back in too, making it to #3 on the Albums Chart.

It's a notable week for waiata Māori on the Aotearoa Albums Chart, in particular Ōtaki artist HINE (Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga) whose Ka Mua Ka Muri EP reaches #1. The five-track EP showcases Georgia-Grace Crayford’s weaving of taonga pūoro and te reo Māori with jazz and folk, backed by a band that includes her father and brother. It's a similar story at #11 where South Auckland indie rock act Greatsouth, led by Payton Taplin, make abundant use of taonga pūoro (traditional Māori musical instruments) on their debut LP Hellhole Of The Pacific. Also new to this week's Chart are Tāmaki rapper LB and Chinese-Pākehā soul singer dān dān, both of whom made their albums available in NFC 'SoundCard' form.

Hori Shaw and Te Wehi first reached #1 on the Aotearoa Top 20 Singles Chart with ‘Ready To Ride’ over a year ago now, but are still going strong at the top with the track, while ‘Mānawa Maiea Matariki’ by TAWAZ and co extend their run leading the Tukutahi Tiketike 10 Te Reo Māori.

On the Hot Charts, a first-time chart-topper for Canadian artist PartyNextDoor. 'Some Of Your Love' is one of three previously unreleased tracks included on the 10th anniversary edition of his PartyNextDoor 3 album. Not new to the Hot 20 Aotearoa Chart, however, are Kirikiriroa whānau band Son & Water who are back at #1 for the fifth time, and fourth just this year. Their latest reggae hit is ‘Drop It Down’.