AN ASTRONOMICAL MIDWEEK TOP 15

September’s here, boys and girls. This is turning out to be a week to remember, as the market shakes off its summer doldrums and sales, tracks and streams explode. Chalk it up to a welcome slate of strong new releases and impact of the Video Music Awards. Let’s not worry about that asteroid that’s on target to hit the earth until later in the month, OK? Here’s how things look at midweek:

* The Weeknd (XO/Republic) 325-350k sales, 400-425k SPS
* Halsey (Astralweks/Capitol) 95-100k, 105-110k
Luke Bryan (Capitol Nashville) 42-47k, 55-60k
Dr. Dre (Aftermath/Interscope) 28-33k, 33-38k
* Beach House (Sub Pop) 27-30k, 28-32k
Disturbed (Reprise) 22-25k, 25-28k
* Ben Rector (APTLY NAMED) 22-25k, 24-27k
Taylor Swift (Big Machine/BMLG) 21-24k, 33-38k
Now 55 (NOW/Legacy) 21-24k
* Maddie & Tae (Dot/BMLG) 21-24k, 24-27k
Descendants (Walt Disney) 14-16k, 19-22k
Sam Hunt (MCA Nashville) 13-15k, 24-27k
Ed Sheeran (Asylum U.K.) 12-14k, 27-30k
N.W.A (Priority/UMe) 12-14k, 20-23k
Future (Epic) 10-12k, 24-27k
Drake (YMCMB/Republic) 10-12k, 21-24k

* Debuts