Lorde has never had a No. 1 album in the U.K. The New Zealand singer and songwriter could change that with Solar Power (EMI), which is running a tight second in the chart race.
According to the Official Charts Company, Lorde’s third album enters the midweek chart at No. 2, and is the market-leader on digital downloads.
The only thing standing in Lorde’s way is Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour (Geffen), which returns to the summit at the midweek stage, powered by its release on vinyl.
Sour leads on physical sales and streams, and is on track for a fifth non-consecutive week at No. 1.
Lorde’s previous albums Pure Heroine (2013) and Melodrama (2017) reached No. 4 and 5, respectively, though the latter ruled the Billboard 200 chart following its release.
In a midweek Top 10 stacked with new releases, Jake Bugg’s Saturday Night (RCA) bows at No. 3, and is poised to be his fifth straight Top 10 album; Brentford MCs Kurupt FM are on track for a Top 5 debut with their first LP, The Greatest Hits (Part 1) (via Polydor) at No. 4; while Irish indie-folk act Villagers complete the Top 5 with their sixth and latest studio album Fever Dreams (Domino Recordings), which is set to be their first Top 10 album.
Elsewhere, new sets from Jane McDonald (Let The Light In at No. 6 via JMD) and Orla Gartland (Woman on the Internet at No. 8 via New Friends) are chasing Top 10 spots, while LPs from Jim Bob, The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde and Trippie Redd are aiming for the Top 20.
The Official U.K. Singles and Albums Charts are published late Friday, local time.
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