U.K. MIDWEEKS: BRIGHTEST BEGINNINGS

Ellie Goulding’s fourth studio album, Brightest Blue (Polydor), is looking to become her third U.K. chart-topper on the Official Albums Chart. At singles, Joel Corry & MNEK’s “Head & Heart” is making a challenge for #1 on the mid-week chart.

Brightest Blue has registered the most CD and download sales of the past three days since its release Friday and is just shy of 3,000 chart sales ahead of Bob Dylan’s Rough and Rowdy Ways (Columbia), which rebounds 24 places to #2 following its vinyl release.

Rhino’s 40th anniversary edition of Joy Division’s Closer is #3, one slot ahead of The Chicks’ first album in 14 years Gaslighter (Columbia). Lianne La Havas’ self-titled third album (Warner) is #5.

Lancaster rock band Massive Wagons is driving toward their first Top 10 with fifth album House of Noise (Earache) at #7. The first album from Jarvis Cocker’s new project JARV IS …, Beyond the Pale (Rough Trade), is #8, and Boyzlife, the new group featuring former Westlife and Boyzone members Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy, sit at # 9 with Strings Attached (Last Man Music).

Tin Machine II, the 1991 release from the David Bowie-led group, hits #11 after being released on vinyl by Music On Vinyl; The Pretenders are on course for their first Top 20 album since 1994 with Hate For Sale (BMG) at #13.

At singles, RCA’s “Savage Love (Laxed–Siren Beat)” by Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo sits 1,500 chart sales ahead of “Head & Heart” (Asylum). If “Savage Love” holds on, it will be its fourth consecutive week in the top slot.

DJ Khaled is poised to earn the two highest new entries this week with his Drake-assisted OVO/We The Best/Epic singles “Popstar” (#8) and “Greece” (#11).

The Joy Division 40th anniversary celebration puts the band’s three singles reissued on vinyl into the Top 30: “Love Will Tear Us Apart” is #12, “Atmosphere” occupies #21 and and “Transmission” is #23.