U.K. MIDWEEKS: DOUBLE X-RATED

The xx, signed to Beggars' imprint Young Turks, are heading toward their second U.K. #1 album on the British midweek charts, as Atlantic’s Ed Sheeran stays firmly at #1 and #2 with his two new singles. The only question left is how long can he hold onto the top spots?

The xx’s I See You is ahead of Little Mix’ Glory Days (Syco) by 10k sales. Polydor’s soundtrack to La La Land is also taking Blighty by storm as it shoots 96 places to #3.

A second British indie, Ninja Tune, features in the Top 5 with Bonobo’s album Migration at #4, followed by Pete Tong’s UMG-released Classic House comp at #5. Two more new albums are heading for this week’s Top 10 with Rick Wakeman’s solo piano covers album Piano Portraits (UMC) at #6 and Wiley’s self-released 11th—and reportedly final— album Godfather starting at #8. Wakeman was last in the Top 10 in 1976 with No Earthly Connection.

Over on the Official Singles midweek update, Sheeran’s “Shape of You” is still leading the way with 34k downloads and 3.5m streams halfway through its second week on sale as “Castle on the Hill” remains at #2. Will Sheeran top Drake’s 15-week run at #1 last year?

“You Don’t Know Me” (Polydor) by Jax Jones and Raye is the highest riser in the Top 5, shooting up five places to #4, while The Chainsmokers are new at #10 with “Paris” (RCA). Rag’N’Bone Man stays at #3 with “Human” (Columbia) and Clean Bandit are down one place to #5 with “Rockabye” (Atlantic).