Polydor soul artist Michael Kiwanuka is eyeing his first U.K. #1 album with second effort Love & Hate. It’s 1.3k combined sales ahead of Adele’s 25 (XL) on today’s Official Albums midweek update.

Kiwanuka, managed by Robert Swerdlow at Starwood, has a number of five-star reviews for the record and support from BBC Radio 2. If Love & Hate continues its midweek lead, it will be the first Official Albums #1 from UMG imprint Polydor under the new leadership of co-presidents Tom March and Ben Mortimer. Kiwanuka’s debut, Home Again, reached #4 in 2012.

French artist Christine & the Queens has been the new name on everyone’s lips in Blighty since releasing the English-language version of her debut, Chaleur Humaine, in February. Live appearances on Jools Holland, BBC One’s Graham Norton Show and a very-well received Glastonbury set have helped drive the album up the British charts. This week it reaches a new peak at #3, up from #8 on Friday. Christine, real name Héloïse Letissier, is signed to indie label Because Music, headed by Emmanuel de Buretel. 

Elsewhere, last week’s #1, Ellipsis by Biffy Clyro, moves down to #4, and Coldplay are #5 with A Head Full of Dreams (Parlophone). 

Over on the Official Singles list, it’s a very close race between Drake’s “One Dance” (Island) and “Perfect Strangers” (Virgin EMI) by Jonas Blue f/ JP Cooper. Drake is leading the race at midweek stage, with “Dancing On My Own” (Virgin EMI) by Calum Scott taking third place. 

Down two places to #4 is The Chainsmokers’ “Don’t Let Me Down” f/Daya (Sony). Rounding off the Top 5 is the Clean Bandit and Louisa Johnson track “Tears” (Atlantic), that has moved three places after a promo tour visiting Good Morning Britain and Bauer's Key 103, plus Bandit tour news.

The big new U.S releases, Katy Perry’s “Rise” (Virgin EMI) and Britney Spears' “Make Me” (RCA) f/G-Eazy, start at #13 and #22 respectively.