Sam Fender rockets toward Number 1 with debut album Hypersonic Missiles
Sam Fender is well on target to claim the top of the Official Albums Chart.
The North Shields singer-songwriter's debut release Hypersonic Missiles is outselling the rest of the Top 5 combined, and is over 21,000 combined chart sales ahead of nearest rival Post Malone, who falls to Number 2.
Sam Fender was named the BRITs Critics's Choice for 2019, beating Lewis Capaldi and Mahalia.
MORE: Sam Fender talks songwriting, Stormzy and staying true to himself
Emeli Sande is on track for a third Top 10 album with Real Life, currently at 4, while veteran alt-rockers Pixies are eyeing a sixth Top 10 as Beneath the Eyrie starts at 5.
The Lumineers look set to land a third Top 10 with their third album III, new at 6; metal band Korn could land a fourth Top 10 with thirteenth studio album The Nothing, in at 7; and Charli XCX is aiming for a new Official Albums Chart peak with third release Charli, which starts at 10.
Mongolian folk band The HU, who first gained widespread popularity through YouTube, start at 11 with debut album The Gereg, while electronic group Metronomy are in at 14 with Metronomy Forever, and Kris Barras Band are on track to score a first Top 40 with Light it Up, new at 21.
Prince's ultra-rare The Versace Experience – previously only available on cassette, to attendees of a Versace fashion show in 1995 – goes in at 25 with its full release; Welsh musician Gruff Rhys eyes a third Top 40 album with Pang, at 27; and Alice Cooper starts at 28 with new EP Breadcrumbs.
Scottish band Belle & Sebastian are in line for an 11th Top 40 with Days of the Bagnold Summer at 31; two Stereolab reissues are aiming for the Top 40 – Emperor Tomato Ketchup at 34, and Dots and Loops at 37; while Hobo Johnson's The Fall of Hobo Johnson starts at 35.
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thierry henon
I was expecting EMELI SANDE to be number 1! I know her second album, even though a great album, didn't sell that much compared with her 1st album but still...she was so big a few years ago...what happened to such a talented artist? Did hope THE LUMINEERS to reach the top 3 following their last release which was number 1...anyway,let's see friday...
Rob Parkinson
I wasnt expecting Emeli Sande to be No.1, when your debut album is so phenomenal then it's always going to be so hard to follow it up. Emeli has her own loyal fans which will help it keep top ten but she is struggling with singles success so no traction going forward there with new fans
DodoRabbit
All of her albums are really good and keep getting better. I think the problem is overexposure and also there's not much commercial value in soul and gospel which this latest album mainly draws from. Her 2nd album was done dirty by Radio 1 who didn't show her any support and even took the out of Hurts, which was a better bond tune than Sam Smiths effort. Shine is a terrific single and should have charted well. Can't work out what went wrong because her music is honest and she writes like no one else in the industry.
thierry henon
I totally agree with you...The same happened with DIDO but with her 3rd album which, which in my opinion, was much better than her 2nd album!! DIDO was even bigger than Emeli but even though DIDO released from time to time some new albums...They sold poorly even though each of her releases is better than the previous one...i guess everybody is on to ED Sheeran and SAM SMITH nowadays!!
DodoRabbit
I don't think a Top 10 album is performing poorly but when her albums are such good quality, it's a disappointment especially considering I believe her to be one of the most authentic writers and distinguishable voices in the industry despite getting lower in recent years, or maybe that's just me. Streaming has helped out artists like Ed Sheeran. I used to like Sam Smith but his latest releases have been generic garbage.