Sam Smith reclaims albums top spot for fifth time

The soul singer's debut LP returns to Number 1 for a fifth non-consecutive week on the Official Albums Chart.

Sam Smith has reclaimed the top spot on this week’s Official Albums Chart.

The soul singer’s million-selling debut In The Lonely Hour climbs from 3 to 1 to earn a fifth non-consecutive week at the summit. The record, which includes the Number 1 singles Money On My Mind and Stay With Me, has yet to leave the Top 10 since it was released 33 weeks ago in May 2014.

Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran’s X holds at Number 2, and last week’s Number 1 Wanted On Voyage by George Ezra is at 3.

Rounding off the Top 5 are Taylor Swift’s 1989 (Number 4) and Olly Murs’ Never Been Better, which climbs a place from last week to Number 5.

High climbers

Despite a lack of new entries on this week’s album chart, several records have made notable gains or re-entered the Top 40.

Hozier’s self-titled debut, which includes the hit single Take Me To Church, climbs seven places to Number 10, and OneRepublic’s Native jumps from 20 to 12.

Sia’s 1000 Forms Of Fear leaps 57 places to Number 15, Rudimental re-enter the Top 40 with Home at 24, and J Cole’s 2014 Forest Hills Drive reaches a new peak on the tally at 27.

The Official Albums Chart Top 10 is as follows. Click here to see the Official Albums Chart Top 100 in full after 7pm.

1	IN THE LONELY HOUR	SAM SMITH
2	X	ED SHEERAN
3	WANTED ON VOYAGE	GEORGE EZRA
4	1989	TAYLOR SWIFT
5	NEVER BEEN BETTER	OLLY MURS
6	A PERFECT CONTRADICTION	PALOMA FAITH
7	FOUR	ONE DIRECTION
8	CHAPTER ONE	ELLA HENDERSON
9	CAUSTIC LOVE	PAOLO NUTINI
10	HOZIER	HOZIER

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SAM SMITH