U.K. MIDWEEKS: BALL IS IN PLAY

Michael Ball is on course for his first #1 as a soloist in 27 years as Coming Home to You (Decca) leads the U.K.’s Official Albums midweek race by just over 4k combined sales. Over on singles, Steel Banglez currently has the highest new entry.

Ball has returned alone with his first solo studio album in five years after two #1 albums alongside Alfie Boe in 2016 and 2017. His last solo collection to reach the top spot was his self-titled debut in 1992.

The second highest new entry on today’s chart is Sleeper with their first studio album in 22 years, The Modern Age (Gorsky), at #7. New entries eyeing the Top 20 include Mansun's reissued second album, Six (Kscope), at #13, the fifth studio album from Jenny Lewis, On the Line (Warner Bros.), at #15, Lucy Rose's fourth record, No Words Left (Communion), at #16, and the 17th studio release from Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler, Between the Earth and the Stars (earMusic), at #20.

On the Official Singles midweeks, Lewis Capaldi’s “Someone You Loved” (Virgin EMI) is set for a fifth week at #1, which is currently 2k sales ahead of “Giant” (Columbia) by Calvin Harris and Rag’n’Bone Man.

Tom Walker’s “Just You and I” (Relentless) is up one place to #3, while Jonas Brothers' “Sucker” (Polydor) lifts one to #4. After the release of its music video, Pink’s “Walk Me Home” (RCA) rises six places to #6.

British hip-hop newcomer Steel Banglez f/AJ Tracey and MoStack’s “Fashion Week” (Warner Bros.) is on track to claim the week's highest new entry; it’s currently #9.