U.K. MIDWEEKS: HALF WAY TO #1

Busted are currently on course to claim their highest U.K. Official Albums Chart position with Half Way There (East West) sitting at #1 midweek. It’s a tight race, however, with releases by The Specials and Ian Brown just 700 combined sales behind.

It has been 17 years since Busted first broke onto the scene with their self-titled debut, which peaked at #2 in 2002. Their last record, Night Driver, charted at #13 in 2016.

Close behind at #2 is The Specials with their first new material in 38 years, Encore (UMC). That’s just 70 combined sales ahead of Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown with Ripples (EMI) at #3. Should any of the above reach the top on Friday, it will be their debut #1.

Another four albums are set to debut in the Top 10: Claire Richards’ debut solo album, My Wildest Dreams (Sony Music CG) at #5; Third Avenue (RCA) by London rapper Fredo at #6; White Lies’ Five (PIAS) at #7; and Resist (Spinefarm) by symphonic metal band Within Temptation at #8.

On the Official Singles Chart, Ariana Grande is heading for a third week at #1 with “7 Rings” (Island). It’s just under 6k combined sales ahead of Sam Smith & Normani’s “Dancing with a Stranger” (Capitol), which is ahead on downloads.

Billie Eilish is on the cusp of landing this week’s highest new entry with “Bury a Friend” (Polydor), which starts at #7, and could become her first U.K. Top 10 hit.

The self-released “Options” by NSG f/Tion Wayne could finally crack the top tier at #10, and Fredo f/Dave’s “All I Ever Wanted” isn’t far behind at #13.