U.K. CHARTS: LONDON GRAMMAR TRUTHFULLY #1

London Grammar have hit #1 on the U.K. Official Albums Chart with melodic second record, Truth is a Beautiful Thing, notching up 43.4k combined first week sales. It’s the first album from Ministry of Sound to hit the top spot since Sony acquired the label.

The man who signed the band, David Dollimore, President of RCA UK and Ministry of Sound Recordings, said: “London Grammar are one of the greatest U.K. bands to have broken in recent times. We have never doubted their ability to connect with their fans and thanks to Ministry of Sound’s new home at Sony Music, we have excelled ourselves and achieved a #1 album. I would like to personally thank Hannah, Dan and Dot, September Management, Dipesh and his team for their belief and drive in delivering such an exceptional record.”

Dipesh Parmar, MD of MoS added: “London Grammar have made a truly incredible record and we are absolutely delighted to land the #1 album. There’s a long-term vision for the band and we are excited and proud to help them continue to build their career.”

Johnathan Dickins’ September Management manages the trio whose label Metal & Dust released Truth with Ministry. Its top position betters the #2 spot its predecessor, If You Wait—which has since notched up 2m sales worldwide—reached in 2013 with 33k first week sales.

Further down on albums, this week's second highest new entry is Adios (UMC) by Glen Campbell at #3, followed by Fleetwood Mac side project Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie (East West/Rhino) at #5. Ed Sheeran is #2 with ÷ (Atlantic) and Rag’n’Bone Man is #4 with Human (Columbia).

Katy Perry has her third Top 10 album with Witness (Virgin EMI) at #6—markedly lower than former #1 albums Teenage Dream and Prism.

Over on the Official Singles Chart, “Despacito” (Polydor) by Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber is still selling strong at #1 with 38.6k downloads and 8.4m streams this week.

The highest new entry is David Guetta and Bieber track “2U” (Parlophone/Virgin EMI) at #5.

Ariana Grande’s “One Last Time” (Island) holds at #2, “Unforgettable” (Black Butter) by French Montana f/Swae Lee is #3 and “Strip that Down” (Capitol) by Liam Payne f/Quavo is #4.