U.K. CHARTS: SYCO ARTISTS SCORE FOURTH WEEK AT #1

Simon Cowell and Sonny Takhar's SYCO is enjoying a good run with pop singles in Blighty, notching up its fourth consecutive week at the top thanks to Little Mix (pictured). “Shout Out To My Ex” has topped the U.K. Official Singles Chart on 95k combined sales after just over four days on sale.

The song, which was released Sunday after Little Mix’s X Factor performance, has scored the biggest opening week download sales for a #1 this year with 67k. It's the third track to debut straight in at the top following Zayn’s “Pillowtalk” (RCA) and Major Lazer's “Cold Water” (Because).

Spots #2-4 on the singles chart are predictable, with James Arthur’s “Say You Won’t Let Go” (SYCO) down to #2, ending its three-week tenure at #1, The Chainsmokers f/Halsey’s “Closer” (RCA) at #3, while The Weeknd f/Daft Punk’s “Starboy” (Island) also moves down a place to #4.

The second highest climber this week is another from Darcus Beese's UMG imprint Island, as Hailee Steinfeld& Grey f/Zedd's “Starving” shoots to #5 from #17 thanks to growing radio support and a British promo push.

Over on the Official Albums Chart, Kings of Leon outsold nearest rival Phil Collins by three copies to one. Walls (Columbia) is their fifth #1 album in Blighty with 50k combined sales. Collins’ retrospective The Singles (Rhino) has risen two places from its midweek peak at #4, entering at #2 thanks to a tour announcement.

The all-new Top 5 ends with the solo debut from Keane frontman Tom Chaplin, The Wave (Island), followed by a reissue of Oasis’ 1997 third album Be Here Now (Big Brother) at #4, released after the British band’s praised documentary. Irish act Two Door Cinema Club enter at #5 with third album Gameshow (Parlophone).