OCC
Page: 10
Ed Sheeran extends his perfect U.K. albums chart record as Autumn Variations (via Gingerbread Man) debuts at No. 1.
Produced with the National’s Aaron Dessner, Autumn Variations bows at the summit of the Official U.K. Albums Chart, published Friday, Oct. 6, for the Brit’s seventh straight leader.
The leader at the halfway stage, when it dominated its nearest competitor by more than two-combined-sales-to-one, Autumn Variations is Sheeran’s second leader this year. It finishes the U.K. chart week as the best-seller on wax, and follows national No. 1s with his 2011 debut + (plus), 2014’s x (multiply), 2017’s ÷ (divide), 2019’s No. 6 Collaborations Project, 2021’s = (equals) and 2023’s – (subtract).
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Olivia Rodrigo’s sophomore LP Guts (Geffen) holds at No. 2 for a third consecutive week, while Jorja Smith enjoys a podium finish with her second studio album Falling Or Flying (FAMM), new at No. 3. Smith, the 2018 BRITs Critics Choice award winner, has now landed three titles in the U.K. top 10, a tally that includes her 2018 debut Lost & Found (No. 3) and 2021 EP Be Right Back (No. 9).
Also new to the top tier is The Harmony Codex (SW Records), the third solo album from Porcupine Tree‘s Steven Wilson. It’s new at No. 4 on the U.K. chart, matching the peak of his previous effort, 2021’s The Future Bites (2017’s To the Bone reached No. 3).
Meanwhile, U.S. rock act Black Stone Cherry nabs a fourth U.K. top 10 album with Screamin’ at the Sky (Mascot), new at No. 6.
Further down the list, British synth-wave outfit Gunship rides to a new career peak position with Unicorn (Horsie In The Hedge), bowing at No. 26; U.K. Eurovision 2023 rep Mae Muller scores her first U.K. top 40 album with Sorry I’m Late (Capitol), arriving at No. 33, and British soul veteran Beverley Knight nabs an eighth with The Fifth Chapter (Tag8), starting at No. 39.
BTS star Jung Kook is on track for his high-charting solo single in the U.K. as “3D” makes a bright start.Based on midweek sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, “3D” (via BigHit Entertainment), which features Louisville rapper Jack Harlow, is set to bow at No. 2, for the week’s highest debut.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“3D,” which leads Billboard’s new music poll this week with 62% of the vote, appears to be closing the gap on the incumbent, Doja Cat’s “Paint the Town Red” (Ministry of Sound). In an earlier update from the OCC, “3D” entered at No. 3, before leapfrogging Kenya Grace’s “Strangers” (FFRR), now appearing likely to dip 2-3 on the national singles tally.
In the meantime, Doja Cat’s hit remains in the box seat for a fifth consecutive week at No. 1 in the U.K.
Jung Kook made U.K. chart history earlier this year with “Seven,” his collaboration with Latto. The track landed at No. 3 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published July 21, for the highest-charting debut by a solo Korean act.
All seven members of the BTS – Jin, Jimin, Suga, Jung Kook, RM, V and J-Hope – have shared solo material.
First, bandmate j-hope set the mark with his J. Cole collaboration “On The Street,” peaking at No. 37 in the U.K. Then Jimin bettered it, nabbing his own top 40 appearance with “Set Me Free Pt. 2” (No. 30 peak). Jimin then reset the bar with a top 10 for “Like Crazy,” peaking at No. 8 in March.
If “3D” holds its spot, or goes one better, it would give Jung Kook a higher U.K. chart position than any single released by BTS. The K-pop phenomenon has a peak of No. 3 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, achieved on three occasions – with 2020’s “Dynamite,” plus “Butter” and “My Universe” with Coldplay (both from 2021).
The next-best debut on the U.K. chart should belong to Ed Sheeran, with “American Town” forecast to debut at No. 23, and “Magical” poised to enter at No. 37, for what would be the English singer and songwriter’s 62nd and 63rd top 40 appearances. “American Town” and “Magical” are lifted from Sheeran’s Autumn Variations (Gingerbread Man), which is sailing to No. 1 on the U.K. albums chart.
The Official U.K. Singles Chart is published late Friday, Oct. 6.
Ed Sheeran season is here.
The superstar English singer and songwriter is cruising to No. 1 on the U.K. chart with Autumn Variations (via Gingerbread Man), which dropped last Friday (Sept. 29) for Sheeran’s second long-play release of the year.
Based on sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, Autumn Variations is outselling its nearest competitor by more than two-to-one, to lead the chart blast.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
If it holds its course, Sheeran will extend his flawless streak of No. 1 studio albums to seven, a run that began with his 2011 debut + (plus).
Produced with Aaron Dessner, Autumn Variations should give Sheeran his second leader on the Official U.K. Albums Chart in 2023, after – (subtract) logged two weeks at the summit in June.
Coming in at No. 2 on the Official Chart Update is Porcupine Tree member Steven Wilson‘s solo effort The Harmony Codex (SW Records). If it stays on target, The Harmony Codex would be Wilson’s highest charting solo effort, improving on peak positions of 2017’s To The Bone (No. 3) and 2021’s The Future Bites (No. 4).
Completing the podium at the midweek stage is British R&B artist Jorja Smith’s sophomore album Falling Or Flying (FAMM). It’s new at No. 3 on the chart blast, and should give the BRITs Critics Choice award winner a third U.K. top 10 appearance.
Further down, Kentucky rock act Black Stone Cherry could nab a fourth U.K. top 10 with Screamin’ At The Sky (Mascot), set to bow at No. 5; U.K. retro synth-pop trio act Gunship could ride to a first U.K. top 10 with concept album Unicorn (Horsie In The Hedge), poised for a No. 7 start; while British soul veteran Beverley Knight who could bag her fifth top 10 with The Fifth Chapter (Tag8), set to start at No. 10.
Keep an eye out for potential top 40 berths from Anna Lapwood (LUNA at No. 26 via Sony Classical), Wilco (Cousin at No. 29 via Sony Music CG), Orb & David Gilmour (Metallic Spheres In Colour at No. 31 via Sony Music CG), Hawkwind (Space Ritual at No. 32 via Atomhenge/Cherry Red), 2023 U.K. Eurovision rep Mae Muller (Sorry I’m Late at No. 33 via Capitol) and Andrew Cushin (Waiting For The Rain at No. 35 via Strap Originals).
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published late Friday, Oct. 6.
Doja Cat completes a fourth consecutive week at No. 1 in the U.K. with “Paint the Town Red” (via Ministry of Sound).
The U.S. star’s hit is, once again, the most-streamed single in the U.K. with more than 6 million plays over the past seven-day cycle, the Official Charts Company reports.
The leader at the midweek stage, “Paint the Town Red” holds-off a fast-rising Kenya Grace, whose “Strangers” (FFRR) lifts 3-2, for a new peak.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Also on the jump is Cassö, RAYE and D-Block Europe’s “Prada” (Ministry of Sound), up 4-3 for a new high.
Canadian singer and songwriter Tate McRae’s break-up anthem “Greedy” (Ministry of Sound) lifts 8-5 for a new peak position – giving venerated British dance label Ministry of Sound three of the top 5 singles. “Greedy” is closing in of McRae’s career best chart performance in the U.K., which she set in 2020 with “You Broke Me First,” which reached No. 3.
The top new entry on the latest chart, published Friday, Sept. 29, belongs to Nines as “Daily Duppy” (Zino) starts at No. 20. That’s the London rapper’s fifth top 40 entry.
Close behind is Tom Odell’s “Black Friday” (Urok) new at No. 21, for the British singer and songwriter’s fourth U.K. top 40 single.
Meanwhile, reunited pop-punk veterans Blink-182 land a 12th U.K. top 40 single with “One More Time” (Columbia), the title track from their forthcoming album. It’s new at No. 28 for the trio’s highest-charting U.K. single 2004’s “Down” hit No. 24. ONE MORE TIME is due out on Oct. 20 via Columbia Records.
Finally, Doja Cat’s Scarlet album cut “Agora Hills” bows at No. 29, while two tracks from Headie One and K-Trap impact the top 40. “Triple Threat” with Clavish debuts at No. 31, while “Park Chinois” improves 50-39. Both titles appear on the British hip-hop acts’ U.K. top 10 collaborative mixtape Strength To Strength.
Kylie Minogue can’t be stopped in the U.K. chart race, as Tension (via BMG) blasts to No. 1.
Australia’s “princess of pop” bags a ninth leader with Tension, which earns 53,000 chart sales in its first week (including market-leading vinyl sales), to outsell the rest of the top 5 combined, the Official Charts Company reports.
The runaway leader at the halfway stage, Tension features the U.K. top 10 single “Padam Padam” and is Kylie’s 16th studio album.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Tension joins Minogue’s previous U.K. leaders, which include 1988 debut Kylie, 1989’s Enjoy Yourself, 1992’s Greatest Hits, 2001’s Fever, 2010’s Aphrodite, 2018’s Golden, 2019’s Step Back in Time: The Definitive Collection and 2020’s Disco.
With that feat, Kylie levels-up with Bob Dylan and Coldplay on the list of acts with the most No. 1s albums on the Official Chart, with nine apiece.
The only female solo artists ahead of Kylie on the all-time list are Taylor Swift (with 10) and Madonna (12).
Meanwhile, Olivia Rodrigo’s former leader Guts (Geffen) holds at No. 2 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart, published Oct. 29, and the Weeknd’s career-retrospective Highlights (Republic Records/XOis unchanged at No. 3, in its 138ths week on the survey.
Homegrown hip-hop stars Headie One and K-Trap and K-Trap bow at No. 4 with their first collaborative album, Strength to Strength (via One Thousand8). It’s Headie One’s (real name: Irving Ampofo Adjei) third top 5 appearance following 2019’s Music x Road (No. 5 peak) and 2020 chart-topper EDNA; while K-Trap (real name Devonte Kasi Martin Perkins) scores a career peak, beating 2022’s The Last Whip II, which topped out at No. 12.
Doja Cat’s nabs her third top 40 appearance with Scarlet (Ministry of Sound), new at No. 5. Doja’s previous appearances on the national albums chart included 2021’s Planet Her (No. 3) and 2019’s Hot Pink (No. 38).
Finally, North London-born experimental artist Bakar (real name: Abubakar Baker Shariff-Farr) earns a career best with Nobody’s Home (Black Butter), new at No. 15, while Scottish alternative rock legends Teenage Fanclub bag a 10th top 40 album with Nothing Lasts Forever (Pema), new at No. 30.
Doja Cat is unmoved from the U.K. singles chart crest, where “Paint the Town Red” (via Ministry of Sound) enters a third week at No. 1.
Lifted from the U.S. singer, rapper and producer’s fourth studio album Scarlet, which dropped last Friday, Sept. 22, “Paint the Town Red” was the U.K.’s most-streamed song during the latest cycle, with 6.2 million plays, the Official Charts Company reports.
The leader at the midweek stage, “Paint the Town Red” holds off Olivia Rodrigo’s former leader “Vampire” (Geffen), which is unchanged at No. 2.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Meanwhile, South Africa-born, U.K.-raised singer, songwriter and producer Kenya Grace is rising fast with “Strangers,” up 12-3 in its third week on the tally, published late Friday. “Strangers” is Grace’s major label debut, via Warner Music sublabel FFRR, and first single to impact the Official U.K. Singles Chart.
Tate McRae has the highest debut this week with her viral number “Greedy” (Ministry of Sound). It’s new at No. 8, for the Canadian artist’s third U.K. top 10 single. Previously, McRae landed at No. 3 with 2020’s “You Broke Me First” and at No. 8 with 2022 Tiësto collaboration “10:35”.
Also completing a top 10 start is Drake and SZA’s collab “Slime You Out” (OVO/Republic/RCA), new at No. 10. Taken from Drake’s forthcoming eight studio album For All the Dogs, “Slime You Out” is Drake’s 41st U.K. top 10 single, and SZA’s fourth. It’s one of two SZA songs in the top 40; “Snooze” (RCA/Top Dawg) leaps 48-18, a new peak, following the release of a new acoustic cut with Justin Bieber.
Johannesburg, South Africa-born Afrobeats artist Tyla makes a splash on the U.K. top 40 for the first time with “Water” (Epic/Fax), rising 55-24.
Finally, drum ‘n’ bass veterans Chase & Status bag a new top 40 entry with “Liquor & Cigarettes” (EMI), a team-up with English producer Hedex and rapper ArrDee. It’s new at No. 31 for Hedex’s first-ever top 40 placing, ArrDee’s ninth, and Chase & Status’s 11th.
Dave and Central Cee complete a full month at No. 1 in the U.K. with “Sprinter” (Live Yours/Neighbourhood), as the hip-hop hit retains its chart crown.
The leader at the halfway stage, “Sprinter” soaks up 8.6 million streams during the latest cycle, the Official Charts Company reports, for its fourth consecutive week at the summit.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The rap track outruns J Hus and Drake’s “Who Told You” (holding at No. 2 via Black Butter/OVO/Republic) and Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding’s “Miracle” (unmoved at No. 3 via Columbia), respectively.
Also making moves inside the top 10, published June 30, are Rudimental, Charlotte Plank and Vibe Chemistry’s “Dancing Is Healing” (Room Two) up 6-5; while Hannah Laing and RoRo’s ”Good Love” (Polydor) is up 9-7; and South Korean DJ and producer Peggy Gou enters the top tier for the first time with ”(It Goes Like) Nanana” (XL Recordings), up 14-9.
The highest new entry belongs to Stormzy and Fredo with “Toxic Trait” (Def Jam), the British hip-hop artists’ first collaborative venture. It’s new at No. 11 on the Official U.K .Singles Chart, published Friday, June 30, for Stormzy’s 29th top 40 appearance, and Fredo’s 19th.
As Swifties enjoy the British summer, listening to their favorite artist, Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summit” (EMI) continues its march up the chart. The Lover release from 2019 rises 28-12 on the U.K. tally, for a new chart peak. Further down the list is Swift’s Midnights number “Karma,” up 32-31, and “Anti-Hero,” up 45-42. Swift recently announced the U.K. leg of her The Eras Tour, which is set to visit these parts in June 2024.
Also new to the Official U.K. Singles Chart is Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj’s contribution of the Barbie soundtrack, the Aqua-sampling “Barbie World” (Atlantic). It’s new at No. 25 for Ice Spice’s second U.K. top 40 appearance and Minaj’s 43rd.
Finally, Afrobeats star Burna Boy bags his 10th U.K. top 40 single with “Sittin’ On Top Of The World” (Atlantic), which lifts 46-38.
Life is full of whats, ifs, and maybes. Just ask Tom Grennan, who’s on the brink of another U.K. chart crown.
The English singer and songwriter’s third studio album What Ifs & Maybes (via Insanity) leads an all-new top 4 on the midweek chart. If it holds its place, Grennan will bag a second leader, following 2021’s Evering Road, and third consecutive top 10, dating back to his 2018 debut Lighting Matches, which peaked at No. 5.
Grennan will be closely watching the form of Queens of the Stone Age, whose eighth studio album In Times New Roman (Matador) is set to start at No. 2. QOTSA already has five U.K. top 10 LPs.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Completing the podium at the midweek stage is Pet Shop Boys’ career retrospective SMASH: The Singles 1985-2020 (Parlophone). It’s new at No. 3, and should give the synthpop duo an 18th U.K. top 10 appearance on the chart proper.
Coming in at No. 4 on the Official Chart Update is Far From Saints’ eponymously titled LP (via Ignition). It’s the first release from the group, led by Kelly Jones, frontman of Welsh rockers Stereophonics, plus Patty Lynn and Dwight Baker of U.S. band The Wind and The Wave.
Also new to the top 10 on the chart blast is K-pop group ATEEZ, with The World Ep.2: Outlaw (KQ Entertainment), new at No. 6; Texas’s hits collection The Very Best Of – 1989-2023 (PIAS Recordings) at No. 7; and English singer, songwriter and composer Ben Howard’s Is It? (Island), new at No. 8.
A 20th anniversary reissue of Girls Aloud’s Sound of the Underground (Polydor/UMR) could see the band’s debut return to the top 10. It blasts to No. 9 on the chart update. The first full-length LP from Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts, Cheryl Tweedy, Kimberley Walsh and the late Sarah Harding peaked at No. 2 following its release in 2003.
Just outside the top 10 is Dannii Minogue’s Neon Nights (London Stream Music), which also enjoys a lift due to a 20th anniversary treatment. The Australian pop singer’s fourth studio set, which peaked at No. 8 following its original release, sits at No. 11 on the midweek chart.
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published late Friday, June 23.
Leigh-Anne’s solo career should get away to a good start with “Don’t Say Love”.
The Little Mix singer’s debut solo single dropped last Friday, June 16, and is poised for a top five bow on the U.K. chart.
Based on midweek sales and streaming data captured by the Official Charts Company, “Don’t Say Love” (via Warner Records) could start at No. 4, for what should be the highest new arrival.
As a member of Little Mix, Leigh-Anne has already collected 19 top 10 appearances in her homeland, including five leaders.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
There’s jostling at the front of the chart race. Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding’s “Miracle” (Columbia) appeared to be on track for a ninth non-consecutive week at No. 1, following the first 48 hours in the chart cycle.
Now, at the halfway point, it’s Dave and Central Cee’s “Sprinter” (Live Yours/Neighbourhood) which retakes the lead. “Sprinter” has led the chart for the past two weeks, opening with an all-time record volume of streams for a rap track.
Completing the midweek podium is J Hus and Drake’s “Who Told You” (Black Butter/OVO/Republic), dipping 2-3.
Meanwhile, Kylie Minogue’s comeback is gathering pace as the slinky “Padam Padam” (BMG) moves on up the Official Chart Update. The Aussie pop veteran’s electronic number rises 12-8 on the chart blast. You’d have to go back to 2010’s “All The Lovers” – and its No. 3 peak position – to find a Kylie track that has performed better on the U.K. chart.
Germany-based, South Korean DJ and producer Peggy Gou could snag her first appearance in the U.K. top 40 with the throwback house track “(It Goes Like) Nanana” (XL Recordings). It’s new at No. 20 on the chart blast.
Finally, Doja Cat could pounce on a 14th top 40 appearance with “Attention” (Ministry of Sound). It’s new at No. 36 on the chart update.
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published late Friday, June 23.
Dave and Central Cee’s “Sprinter” (via Live Yours/Neighbourhood) does just like its namesake, as it bolts to the U.K. No. 1 in record-setting fashion.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The hip-hop collaboration scores the biggest streaming week ever for a rap song in the U.K., the Official Charts Company reports, for Dave’s third leader and Central Cee’s first.
The outright leader at the midweek point, “Sprinter” races to 108,200 chart sales, according to the charts compiler, for the biggest opening of 2023. That sum includes 13.4 million streams, for the biggest-ever week for a rap single, beating Stormzy’s “Vossi Bop” which accumulated 12.7 million streams in one cycle back in May 2019.
That’s the biggest opening week for streams since Adele’s “Easy On Me” posted 24 million plays in its first seven days in October 2021.
Previously, Dave hit the summit with 2018’s “Funky Friday” with Fredo and in 2022 with “Starlight,” while Central Cee’s previous best was a No. 2 peak for 2022’s “Doja.”
“Sprinter” also nabs a piece of chart history in Australia, by coming the first U.K. rap single to debut at No. 1 on the ARIA Chart.
It’s one of three top 20 U.K. debuts from Dave and Central Cee’s surprise EP drop, Split Decision, as “Trojan Horse” gallops to No. 14 and “UK Rap” is new at No. 17.
Meanwhile, Sweden’s 2023 Eurovision champ Loreen taps a well of energy on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published Friday, June 9, as “Tattoo” (Polydor) bounces 10-7 in its fourth week on the tally, while Rudimental improves 11-8 with “Dancing Is Healing” (Room Two) featuring Charlotte Plank and Vibe Chemistry, for the British drum & bass act’s first top 10 single in five years.
Kylie Minogue is within a whisker of the top 10 with her comeback track “Padam Padam” (BMG). The Aussie pop princess’ electro-pop cut lifts 23-12 for her highest-charting single in the U.K. since “Higher with Taio Cruz” went to No. 8 in 2011.
The queen of pop, Madonna, bags a 72nd top 40 appearance with “Popular” (Republic Records/XO), her collaboration with the Weeknd and Playboi Carti. Lifted from HBO’s The Idol, the new cut bows at No. 21 for Madonna’s highest-charting U.K. single since “Celebration” reached No. 3 in 2009. It’s the Weeknd’s 34th top 40 appearance, and Playboi’s second.
Finally, Dundee, Scotland DJ Hannah Laing and vocalist RoRo has the biggest gainer in the U.K. with “Good Love” (WUGD), up 63-22.