U.K. MIDWEEKS: KYLIE ON TRACK FOR #1

Kylie Minogue will see her 10th U.K. Official Albums #1 on Friday (10/25) with Tension II (BMG), while One Direction fans have sent the band’s singles and albums back into the Top 40 following the death of member Liam Payne.

Tension II is outselling its closest competition by more than two to one at the halfway point, tallying 28k in sales so far. At #2 is Rag’n’Bone Man’s third LP, What Do You Believe In? (Columbia). Australian dance group Confidence Man starts at #4 with its third set, 3AM (LA LA LA) (Polydor).

Following National Album Day on 10/19—the theme of which was great British bands—Oasis’ Definitely, Maybe (Big Brother) is back in the Top 10, at #6. Bronski Beat could see its debut, The Age of Consent (London Records), celebrating its 40th anniversary, return to the Top 10 for the first time in 39 years, at #9.

Further down, all five of One Direction’s albums will re-enter the chart as fans pay tribute to Payne. Take Me Home (Simco) is at #12, Midnight Memories at #13, Made in the A.M. at #15 and FOUR at #20. The group’s debut, Up All Night, is #33.

On the U.K.’s Official Singles midweeks, three 1D tracks are set to re-enter the Top 40; “Night Changes” is at #16, “Story of My Life” at #21 and “What Makes You Beautiful” at #47. Three solo tracks by Payne could rise higher up the chart by Friday; “Teardrops” is currently at #65, “For You” with Rita Ora at #67 and “Strip That Down” with Quavo at #75.

Sabrina Carpenter’s “Taste” (Island) is still at #1 on the singles tally, but “Die With a Smile” (Interscope) by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars is a close contender for the top spot; it's just over 2k chart units behind, at #2. “Somedays” (Solotoko) by Sonny Fodera, Jazzy and D.O.D is up two to #3.

ROSÉ and Bruno Mars could have the week’s highest new entry with “APT.” (Atlantic), starting at #7.

“The Door” (Atlantic) by Teddy Swims is up three to #9, and “Diet Pepsi” by Addison Rae percolates three to #11.