U.K. MIDWEEKS: TOM ODELL HEADED FOR #1

Columbia talent Tom Odell is headed for his second #1 on the U.K. Official Albums Chart, provided he continues to fend off competition from Rick Astley. Over on the Official Singles list, there’s finally a new contender for #1 after nine weeks of Drake.

Odell, who was spotted busking around London on 6/10, is leading the way at midweek stage by a thin margin with Wrong Crowd just 218 chart sales ahead of Astley’s seventh studio album 50 (BMG). Two compilations from veteran stars are hitting high this week, with Paul McCartney’s Pure McCartney (Concord) at #3, and ELO’s All Over The World - The Very Best Of (Epic/Legacy Recordings) rising 131 places to #4 ahead of their Glastonbury slot next week. Rival Sons’ Hollow Bones (Earache) should award the California band their highest charting U.K. album to date at #5.

So who’s about to knock Drake from his throne? Indie track “This Girl” (3 Beat) by Kungs vs. Cookin’ on 3 Burners has had big success around the rest of Europe, and is now crossing over to Blighty. The track has climbed three places since Friday and leads the way at the midweek stage ahead of Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop The Feeling!” (RCA).

Drake has been demoted to #4 as the new Stone Roses track, “Beautiful Thing” (Virgin EMI), makes a strong start at #3. It’s far better the debut of its predecessor, “All For One,” which peaked at #17 in May. Finally, Calvin Harris and Rihanna’s “This Is What You Came For” (Columbia) slips two places to #5.