NEWS
Jazz group Ezra Collective are leading the contest for their first UK Number 1 album with their newest record, Here Because of Hope. The fifth studio release from the 2023 Mercury Prize winners is expected to comfortably beat their previous best result, achieved when their 2024 album Dance, No One's Watching reached Number 7 on the Official Albums Chart.
Bloc Party currently sit at Number 2 in the midweek rankings with their seventh studio album, Anatomy Of A Brief Romance. If it holds that position, the record will become the indie rock band’s highest charting release since A Weekend In the City reached the chart in 2007. Bonobo completes an entirely British Top 3 with Distance in Static. Remaining at Number 3 until Friday would give the Brighton born producer and DJ his most successful album so far.
Elsewhere in the midweek Top 5, mysterious artist RØRY is hoping to build on the Top 10 success of last year’s RESTORATION, with her latest project, BLOODLETTING, arriving at Number 5. London rock band Green Lung could also achieve its first Top 40 entry, as fourth studio album Necropolitan currently stands at Number 7.
Classic releases and recent live announcements are also influencing the wider chart. Oasis have three albums moving upward, with Time Flies... (1994 to 2009) at Number 11, (What's The Story) Morning Glory? at Number 13 and Definitely Maybe at Number 25. Punk duo The Meffs are aiming for their first chart appearance as Business reaches Number 17, while Scottish favourites The Proclaimers could collect their ninth Top 40 album with You May Offend at Number 20.
Completing the latest update, Jhené Aiko’s Westside Whimsy is positioned at Number 37. Pixies’ 1990 album Bossanova could also return to the chart at Number 39 after receiving a special remastered vinyl release. The final rankings will be confirmed this Friday.
