Midnight Oil released their first conventional album in 20 years last Friday, 18th February. The album, titled Resist, has debuted at number one on ARIA’s Top 50 Albums chart.
Resist entered ahead of the Lin Manuel-Miranda/Germaine Franco soundtrack for Encanto (#2) and Olivia Rodrigo’s Platinum-selling Sour (#3). Resist is the only Australian album in the top 10.
The Kid LAROI’s F*ck Love (Over You) is the next highest charting Australian release at #13. Methyl Ethel’s Are You Haunted debuted at #22. Last week’s number one, Antihero, the debut album from Sydney rapper, Huskii, has fallen all the way out of the top 50.
Midnight Oil shared a statement of thanks on social media. Though, they expressed shock that “INXS and ourselves are among only five Australian Artists with top 40 albums this week. What year is it again?” It’s true: INXS’ The Very Best sits at #35 in its 374th week in the chart. Tame Impala’s Currents is at #36.
In their statement, the Oils suggested the lack of Australian representation to be a structural problem, which starts at the top.
“We’ve been fortunate to have some great media support, particularly from the ABC and Triple M,” the band said, “but clearly the federal government needs to introduce better local content rules – and better enforcement of those rules – across all platforms to make sure that the next generation of local artists get a fair go.”
Midnight Oil kicked off their final Australian tour at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Wednesday (23rd February). The extensive run carries through until late April. Find all the tour dates and support acts here.
