U.K. MIDWEEKS: MISSILES FIRES FOR FENDER

There’s another British breakthrough act making waves in the U.K. as the debut from Sam Fender, Hypersonic Missiles (Polydor), rockets toward #1, outselling the entire Top 5 combined. Over on singles, the trio of Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Rey is heading for the top.

BRITs Critics Choice winner Fender sits 21k combined sales ahead of his closest competitor, Post Malone’s Hollywood’s Bleeding (Island), at the halfway stage.

Emeli Sande is on track for a third Top 10 album with Real Life (Virgin EMI) at #4, followed by The Pixies’ Beneath the Eyrie (Infectious) at #5.

The Lumineers are new at #6 with their third album, III (Decca), Korn’s The Nothing (Roadrunner) is just behind at #7 and Charli XCX’s Charli (Atlantic) starts at #10.

On the U.K.’s Official Singles midweeks, Grande, Cyrus and Del Rey’s “Don’t Call Me Angel” (Polydor/RCA/Republic) is in the lead for #1 on Friday.

The second highest new entry today is London collective D-Block Europe with the self-released “Nookie” f/Lily Baby at #10, while Kosovan DJ Regard edges closer to the Top 10 with “Ride It” (Ministry of Sound) at #11.

Further down, Ozzy Osbourne could make his first Official Chart appearance in 13 years with his feature on Malone’s “Take What You Want” (also featuring Travis Scott) at #18.