Paul Weller shouts to the top of the U.K. midweek chart with On Sunset (Polydor), his fifteenth solo album.
The former Style Council and The Jam frontman takes the lead on the Official Chart Update, with a 11,000 chart sales advantage over its nearest competitor, Pop Smoke’s posthumous debut Shoot For The Stars, Aim For The Moon (Republic Records).
If On Sunset holds its position when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published this Friday (July 10), it’ll be Weller’s first leader since Sonik Kicks opened at the summit, eight years ago.
On Sunset will be the veteran British artist’s 20th solo Top 10 album, and it’s the best-seller across physical albums and downloads in the first half of the chart cycle.
Pop Smoke’s debut comes in at No. 2 on the midweek albums chart, and three songs from it are on track to impact the Official U.K. Singles Chart Top 20. The emerging U.S. rapper was just 20 when he was killed during a home invasion in February.
Welsh mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins could snag her highest-charting album in 12 years with Cinema Paradiso (Decca), which starts at No. 3 on the midweek U.K. chart, while art-pop duo Sparks are on target for their highest-charting album ever with A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip (BMG), bowing at No. 4 midweek.
Metalcore act Bury Tomorrow will look to continue their streak, which has seen every album peak higher than the last. That trend should continue with sixth studio album Cannibal (Music For Nations), which is at No. 6 on the sales blast, and is on course to become their first Top 10.
Punk rockers Dream Wife are also vying for a Top 10 finish with their sophomore set So When You Gonna (Lucky Number). It’s new at No. 8.
Meanwhile, Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo’s “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)” (RCA) continues to beat a path to the chart crown. The viral track holds at No. 1 on the midweek chart ahead of Dababy’s “Rockstar” (Interscope) featuring Roddy Ricch and “Rain on Me” (Interscope) by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, respectively.
