Montreal Musician Alex Henry Foster's 'Kimiyo' Debuts at No. 12 on Billboard Canadian Albums Chart
The Montreal post-rock songwriter, also of alt-rock band Your Favorite Enemies, places one spot above PartyNextDoor's P4 on this week's albums chart, and Les Cowboys Fringants land a new debut on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100. Shaboozey hits No. 1, while Drake and Kendrick Lamar's feud spills onto the charts.
Alex Henry Foster
Two Canadian artists had strong debuts on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart this week (May 11).
Montreal's Alex Henry Foster, post-rock artist and member of alt-rock group Your Favorite Enemies, lands at No. 12 on the chart with his new album Kimiyo, a collaboration with vocalist Momoka Tobari. Mississauga R&B singer and Billboard Canada cover star PartyNextDoor grabs the next spot, at No. 13, with his new album P4.
For both artists, it's not their first showing on the chart. Foster previously charted with his debut solo record, Windows in the Skywhich debuted at No. 6 in 2018. On Kimiyo, Foster draws on the stories of people he met in Japan in 2010 to develop a dark, spacious soundscape, with Tobari providing echoing spoken word.
It's not the kind of music known for chart performances, but Foster has built up a strong profile throughout his career, nominated for ADISQ Awards and a Juno, and reportedly has another album and a film planned for release this year, giving him more opportunities for chart impact.
PartyNextDoor is no surprise on the charts, with five previous entries on the Canadian Albums chart as well as an impressive twenty two entries on the Canadian Hot 100. Though sometimes thought of in relation to his work for others — his collaborations with Drake and his songwriting for stars like Rihanna — the singer and producer put his heart into his new solo record. “This is the hardest I’ve ever worked on an album. This is the proudest I’ve felt,” he told Billboard.
In addition to his No. 13 placement on the Albums chart this week, the sleek, inviting single "For Certain" lands at No. 98 on the Canadian Hot 100.
Beloved Quebec band Les Cowboys Fringants are also having a good week on the charts. After debuting their new albumPub Royal at No. 3 last week, the group moves up to No. 2 on the Albums chart, while single "La Fin Du Show" lands at No. 35 on the Hot 100. The moving song features the voice of late singer Karl Tremblay, as he reflects on arriving at the end of a lifelong performance.
Elsewhere on the Canadian Hot 100, Virginia artist — and recent Beyoncé collaborator — Shaboozey hits No. 1 with the catchy country track "A Bar Song (Tipsy)." That song is No. 3 on the U.S. Hot 100, but it's No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. That song replaces Beyoncé's "Texas Hold 'Em," marking the first time in history two Black artists have hit No. 1 on that country chart back to back.
Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar and Drake's feud is showing up on the charts. Kendrick Lamar's Drake diss track "Euphoria" debuts at No. 13. Drake's first entry into the rap beef, "Push Ups," moves up to No. 10. The beef may have hit its peak this week, but on the charts, these songs are just getting started.
Check out the full Billboard Canadian Hot 100 and Billboard Canadian Albums charts here.
