U.K. MIDWEEKS: BABS VS. BRIT

For the second week in a row, two U.S. acts are vying for the Official Albums #1 in Blighty on Friday as Barbra and Britney battle it out. So who’s ahead at midweek stage?

Barbra Streisand looks set to score her seventh U.K. #1 with Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway (Sony CMG) currently 6k combined sales ahead of Britney’s Glory (RCA).

After beating Dolly Parton to the top spot last week, Frank Ocean’s Blonde (Boys Don’t Cry) has slipped to #3, Parton’s Pure & Simple (Sony) is down to #4 and “Never Gonna Give You Up” crooner Rick Astley climbs seven spots to #5 with his former #1, 50 (BMG).

Over on the Official Singles Chart, it’s no longer a battle between “Cold Water” (Because Music) and “Let Me Love You” (Polydor). The Chainsmokers and Halsey’s “Closer” (RCA) is the new contender for #1. The track is 1.9k combined sales ahead of DJ Snake and Justin Bieber’s “Let Me Love You” at midway stage, which has been sitting behind Major Lazer, and Bieber’s “Cold Water” for the last three weeks.

Speaking of which, “Cold Water” looks set to end its five-week reign at #1 after sliding down to #3, followed by Calum Scott's cover of Robyn's “Dancing On My Own” (Virgin EMI) at #4 and twenty one pilots' “Heathens” (Atlantic) at #5.

HITS LIST: HORSEPOWER
VRRMMMM (5/17a)
NEAR TRUTHS: VARIANTS
Celebrity death match underway on album chart (5/17a)
OH, TANNENBAUM! ANOTHER GREAT CAREER HITS THE SKIDS
Another talented journalist trapped in the career cul de sac (5/17a)
THE COUNT: LIVE NATION TAPS TYLER, POST, BLINK FOR TOP U.S. FESTS
Cornering the market on surefire headliners (5/17a)
STAPLETON, WILSON BIG WINNERS AT THE ACMs
A genre mash-up at the home of the Cowboys (5/17a)
THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
 Email

 First Name

 Last Name

 Company

 Country
CAPTCHA code
Captcha: (type the characters above)