U.K. CHARTS: MAJOR LAZER SPLASHES IN AT #1

Surefire smash “Cold Water” (Because) by Major Lazer, Justin Bieber and MØ has toppled Drake from the U.K. Official Singles Chart summit on combined sales of 102k. Who said it’s near impossible to break new music?

“Cold Water” has proved that an excellent song can still rocket up the charts in week one in the age of streaming—with no set-up—despite the stagnancy of the Top 5 over the past two months. It’s the second track to shoot straight to #1 this year following ZAYN’s “Pillowtalk” (RCA) in February.

The track has ended Drake’s 15-week reign with 5.56m streams and 47k 99p downloads (in a week when many singles were priced 59p). “Cold Water” is Major Lazer and MØ’s first #1, and Bieber’s fourth.

Drake’s “One Dance” (Island) has slipped four places to #5, while Jonas Blue and JP Cooper’s “Perfect Strangers” (Virgin EMI) sits at #2. Calum Scott’s “Dancing on my Own” (Virgin EMI) climbs one place to #3 and The Chainsmokers move down to #4 with “Don’t Let Me Down” (RCA).

Over on the Official Albums Chart, Jeff Lynne’s ELO have scored a #1 35 years since their last. It has been 11 years since the release All Over The World-The Very Best Of ELO (Epic), when it peaked at #6. It recently returned to the Top 10 after the band’s Glastonbury Legends slot.

Emmanuel de Buretel's imprint Because has another star in Christine & The Queens, who hit a new peak with debut Chaleur Humaine climbing #3 to #2. Drake’s Views (Island) is at #3, Adele’s 25 (XL) slips to #4 from #2, and Coldplay’s A Head Full Of Dreams (Parlophone) completes the Top 5.

Despite a midweek peak of #2, indie band Bear’s Den ended the week at #6 with second album Red Earth & Pouring Rain (Communion).