U.K. MIDWEEKS: SAM HEADED FOR #1

Sam Smith is rocketing toward #1 on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart this week with The Thrill of it All (Capitol) shifting 60k combined sales midweek. Sony Music CG is also heading for a high spot with Roy Orbison and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at #2 with A Love So Beautiful.

Smith sold 102k first week with his debut, The Lonely Hour, when it hit #1 in Blighty in 2014. The album went on to spend eight non-consecutive weeks at the top and has returned to the Top 20 at #19 today. “Too Good at Goodbyes,” the #1 single that preceded The Thrill Of It All, has risen four places to #3.

Sony Music CG hit #1 at the end of October with George Michael reissue, Listen Without Prejudice. The label looks set to return to the Top 5 this week with a reworked collection of Orbison’s best known songs sitting 40k combined sales behind Smith.

Last week’s #1, Together Again (Decca) by Ball & Boe, slips to #3, followed by Michael at #4 and P!nk with Beautiful Trauma (RCA) at #5.

The third highest new entry this week is currently Bryan Adam’s retrospective Ultimate (Polydor) at #6; Maroon 5’s sixth album, Red Pill Blues (Interscope), at #11.

On the Official Singles midweeks, Camila Cabello is eyeing a second week at #1 with “Havana” f/Young Thug (Syco) sitting 6k sales ahead of Post Malone f/21 Savage’s “Rockstar” (Island) at #2. After performing on X Factor, Rita Ora rises seven places to #4 with “Anywhere” (Atlantic).

In terms of new releases, Taylor Swift’s “Call It What You Want” (Virgin EMI) starts at #16 and N.E.R.D.are at #29 with “Lemon” (RCA) f/Rihanna.