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, MØ 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.