U.K. CHART STORY:
LAWSON SECURES A #1

Ed Sheeran's first foray into A&R has borne fruit with the first signing from Gingerbread Man Records, Jamie Lawson, reaching #1 on the U.K. Official Albums Chart. Ministry of Sound's KDA, meanwhile, has topped the Official Singles Chart, awarding the indie label its second #1 in four weeks.

Lawson's self-titled major label debut sold double its nearest rival, which was, incidentally, Sheeran's sophomore album x. Released via Warner's Atlantic U.K., x spends its 70th consecutive week in the Top 10 at #2 this week. Island's John Newman is at #3 with second album Revolve, while Atlantic U.K.'s Jess Glynne slips a place to #4 with I Cry When I Laugh.

Peter Andre’s 10th album, Come Fly With Me, released via Warner's East West, gives the singer a fifth Top 10 at #5.

Demi Lovato gets her highest U.K. chart peak yet with latest album Confident (Safehouse/Island/Hollywood) at #6 and American acapella groupPentatonix’s new self-titled collection is at #18.

Ministry of Sound has scored again at the top of the Singles Chart with the KDA, Katy B and Tinie Tempah collaboration, "Turn The Music Louder (Rumble)." Just four weeks after MoS stole the top spot with Sigala's "Easy Love," the KDA single finishes the week over 2,000 combined chart sales ahead of its nearest competitor, One Direction's "Perfect" (SYCO), which landed at #2.

Elsewhere, The Weeknd’s "The Hills" (XO/Republic) scores a new Official Singles Chart peak, up two places to #3 today. Drake’s "Hotline Bling" (YMCMB/Republic) slides one place to #4 today, followed by Justin Bieber chart-topper "What Do You Mean" (Def Jam). The latter secures an eighth stint as most streamed track of the week with over 2.51 million listens in the last seven days.