U.K. MIDWEEKS: LIAM LOCKS IN

Liam Gallagher’s debut solo album As You Were on Warner Bros. is off to a flying start with 79k combined sales at halfway stage—the fastest selling Official Albums #1 since Ed Sheeran’s ÷ (Atlantic) in March. Over on singles, Post Malone is leading the race by a margin of 1k sales with “Rockstar” (Island).

Gallagher, who has been enjoying widespread media support thanks to his highly quotable anecdotes, is leading an all-new Top 5 this week. Indie rapper Giggs takes second place with mixtape Wamp Dem (No BS), followed by The Darkness with Pinewood Smile (Cooking Vinyl) at #3. Norwegian ‘80s act a-ha start at #4 with acoustic album MTV Unplugged: Summer Solstice (UMC) and Marilyn Manson enters at #5 with Heaven Upside Down (Caroline).

Post Malone, who is sitting at the top of Spotify's U.K. Top 50 chart today, is currently on course for a second week at #1 on the Official Singles Chart. Camila Cabello, currently ahead on downloads at #1 on iTunes, is close behind at #2 with “Havana” f/Young Thug (Epic/Syco).

Sam Smith is down to #3 with “Too Good at Goodbyes” (Capitol) while new single “Pray” starts at #34. Dua Lipa is at #4 with “New Rules” (Warner Bros.) followed by Avicii f/Rita Ora’s “Lonely Together” (Positiva). This week’s highest new entry looks set to be Giggs’ “Linguo” f/Donaeo (No BS) at #28.