Idles will be tough to beat in the U.K. chart race.
The Bristol post-punk band’s third album Ultra Mono (Partisan) cruises to No. 1 on the Official Chart Update, by outselling the rest of the Top 5 combined.
Ultra Mono is powered by physical sales, the Official Charts Company reports, and should become Idles’ first U.K. leader, beating the No. 5 best for their 2018 Mercury Prize-nominated set Joy.
Coming in at No. 2 on the midweek tally is Prince’s 1987 classic Sign O’ The Times (Paisley Park), which enjoys new chart life thanks to its reissue treatment with 45 unreleased tracks. Sign O’ The Times previously peaked at No. 4.
Meanwhile, there’s a fresh burst for Michael Kiwanuka’s Kiwanuka (Polydor) following its victory in the 2020 Hyundai Mercury Prize. It’s the most downloaded album of the week, according to the OCC, and is on track for a return to the Top 40. Kiwanuka is at No. 3 on the sales blast, just one place below its chart peak from last November.
Machine Gun Kelly’s pop-punk album Tickets To My Downfall (Bad Boy/Interscope) is the most streamed new release in the first half of the week. It’s new at No. 4 on the chart update and is on track to become the U.S. artist’s first Top 10. Also, veteran alternative rock outfit Deftones open at No. 5 with Ohms (Reprise), while new releases from Slade, Joji and Steve Hackett are poised to crack the Top 10.
Meanwhile, 24KGoldn’s “Mood” (RECORDS/Black Butter) featuring Iann Dior holds the lead in the U.K. singles chart race. The teenage California rapper’s hit tops the Official Singles Chart Update ahead of Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP” (Atlantic) and “Ain’t It Different” (Relentless) by Headie One, AJ Tracey and Stormzy, respectively.
The Official U.K. Singles and Albums Charts are published late Friday, local time.
