U.K. MIDWEEKS: CALVIN & ED DUKE
IT OUT

Ed Sheeran and Calvin Harris are battling for the #1 spot on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart with just 650 sales separating the two at midweek stage. Over at singles, “Despacito” (Polydor), is holding on strong.

While Harris’ fifth album, the collaboration-heavy Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1, is currently at #2, it leads the race on downloads. If it manages to surpass Sheeran’s ÷ (Atlantic) by Friday, Harris will claim his third #1 album. The second highest new entry in Blighty this week looks set to be Stone Soar with Hydrograd (Roadrunner); it will be the band’s highest U.K. chart placing yet, coming second to Audio Secrecy which hit #6 in 2010. Further down, Rag’n’Bone Man is #4 with Human (Columbia) and Royal Blood are #5 with How Did We Get So Dark (Warner Bros.)

Other high risers and entrants include The Bee Gees’ greatest hits Timeless (Capitol) at #6, TLC’s self-titled comeback (Cooking Vinyl) debuting at #21 and The Beach Boys compilation 1967—Sunshine Tomorrow (Capitol) at #28.

Over on the Official Singles list, last week’s #1 and #2 are non-movers: “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber is on course for an eighth week at the summit, followed by DJ Khaled, Rihanna and Bryson Tiller's "Wild Thoughts" (Black Butter/We The Best).

“Mama” (Virgin EMI) by Jonas Blue has risen two places to #3 and “Unforgettable” (Black Butter) by French Montana f/Swae Lee stays at #4. Rita Ora’s “Your Song” (Atlantic) is up five places to #5.

Sigala and Ella Eyre's “Came Here For Love” (Ministry of Sound) rises seven places to #12 and Drake's “Signs” (Island) shifts six spots to #16.

The self-released first single from YouTube star Samantha Harvey, “Forgive Forget,” is currently at #19 and Rudimental and James Arthur's new collaboration “Sun Comes Up” (Atlantic) opens at #22.