U.K. CHARTS: THE RETURN OF CRAIG DAVID

It is indeed the week of successful Sony comebacks in Blighty as Craig David, who originally found fame at the turn of the millennium, tops the Official Albums Chart, and former X Factor winner James Arthur holds strong at Singles.

Following My Intuition (Insanity/Speakerbox) is David’s first #1 since he topped the chart with his debut in 2000. The album outsold Bon Iver’s 22, A Million (Jagjaguwar) by 4.5k combined sales. Iver’s #2 spot is the act’s highest in the U.K. yet.

The Shires finish at #3 with second album My Universe (Decca) claiming the (modest) title of the fastest-selling U.K. country album of all time with nearly 14.5k sales.

Van Morrison is the fourth new entry in the Top 5 with his 36th studio album Keep Me Singing (Caroline) at #4. Thanks to a new deluxe release, Radiohead's A Moon Shaped Pool (XL) sits at #5. Virgin EMI punk duo Slaves end at #6 with second album Take Control and The Pixies’ Head Carrier (PIAS) lands at #7.

Over on the Official Singles Chart, Arthur’s “Say You Won’t Let Go” (SYCO) posted more than 27k combined sales than its nearest rival to hold at #1 for a second week. It’s the most-streamed track this week with 5.03m listens.

The battle for #2 was won by The Weeknd scoring a career-peak with “Starboy” featuring Daft Punk (Island); The Chainsmokers f/Halsey’s “Closer” (RCA) finishes its seventh week inside the Top 5 at #3.

Calvin Harris stays at #4 with “My Way” (Columbia) and Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj’s “Side By Side” (Island) breaks the Top 5 for the first time. Last but by no means least, One Direction's Niall Horan leaps to #9 with his debut surprise solo single “This Town” (Virgin EMI).