U.K. MIDWEEKS: ADELE CLAIMS BLIGHTY'S FASTEST MILLION-SELLING ALBUM
As well as breaking the U.S. and U.K. record for first-week sales, Adele’s 25 has become Blighty’s fastest-ever million-selling album. After closing last week on over 800k, 25 has shifted another 200k in Blighty in the first three days of its second week. The superstar's set (out on XL/Beggars in the U.K.) has knocked Oasis off the top spot; their Be Here Now (Creation) took 17 days to hit the million mark in 1997.
As expected, 25 is the biggest album of 2015, overtaking Ed Sheeran’s x (released in June 2014).
Elsewhere on the U.K. Official Albums Chart midweek update, Elvis Presley’s If I Can Dream (RCA/Legacy) is standing ground at #2. Since hitting #1 on its release on 30/10, the record has shifted over 300k. Sony U.K. boss Jason Iley is aiming for the half a million mark before year end.
Justin Bieber’s Purpose (Def Jam) is at #3, and Little Mix’s Get Weird (SYCO) jumps two spots to #4.
This week’s highest new entry looks like the priority release from David Joseph’s Universal U.K. The Vamps, signed to Ted Cockle’s Virgin EMI, start at #5 with their second studio album, Wake Up.
Iley should be pleased with the performance of SYCO classical quartet Il Divo, who, as hoped for, are on course for their seventh Top 10 album this week with Amor & Passion.
On the singles side, Justin Bieber continues his Top 5 takeover in the midweeks. “Love Yourself” has overtaken “Sorry” to sit at #1, “Sorry” moves to #2 and “What Do You Mean” stays at #4.
Adele’s “Hello” is at #3 and the debut single from SYCO singer Fleur East “Sax” is at #5.
