To nab the best-selling album in the land Down Under, “honestly, it’s mind-blowing,” comments the act’s drummer James Hunt.
“To have been pipped at the post and debut at No. 2 with their last album, it makes this No. 1 debut even sweeter,” adds Dan Rosen, president of Warner Music Australasia. This leader “cements this incredible band as one of the great Aussie bands of the modern era,” Rosen continues. “We can’t wait to have the band back in the country soon for their amazing live show.”
The Sydney outfit, currently based in the U.S., shaped Surrender during lockdown stints between Joshua Tree and Los Angeles.
North American tour dates in support of the new album kicked off over the past weekend, and, in the weeks ahead, include a pair of headline shows at Banc of California Stadium in L.A.
Thanks to Rüfüs Du Sol’s hot start, Elton John arrives at No. 2 with his collaborations project The Lockdown Sessions (Mercury/Universal).
It’s the Rocket Man’s highest debut for a studio album in almost 30 years, since The One also blasted to No. 2 back in 1992.
Meanwhile, Lana Del Rey scoops her seventh ARIA Top 10 album, and second this year, as Blue Bannisters (Interscope/Universal) bows at No. 3.
Homegrown rockers The Screaming Jets roar into the chart with All For One (rooArt), returning at No. 4 following the release of its 30th anniversary edition.
Finally, British pop-rock veterans Duran Duran enjoy their highest debut in more than 35 years, as Future Past (BMG) enters at No. 16. The follow-up to Paper Gods (No. 19 in September 2015), Future Past is Duran Duran’s 15th studio album and features production from Erol Alkan, Giorgio Moroder and Mark Ronson, plus assists from the likes of Blur’s Graham Coxon, David Bowie pianist Mike Garson and Japanese band Chai.
Duran Duran haven’t appeared this high on the ARIA Albums Chart since Arena, a live album which included a single studio cut, “The Wild Boys.” Arena peaked at No. 8 in December 1984.
Over on the ARIA Singles Chart, Adele’s “Easy On Me” (Columbia/Sony) secures a second week at No. 1, while Swedish House Mafia and The Weeknd bag the latest frame’s highest new entry, with “Moth To A Flame” (Universal). It’s new at No. 8 for the reunited EDM act’s first ARIA Singles Chart entry in almost a decade.
