U.K. MIDWEEKS: DOVES FLY TOWARD #1

Doves are heading toward their third #1 on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart with comeback release, The Universal Want (Virgin). Over on singles, 24kGoldn is challenging Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion for #1 with viral hit “Mood” f/Iann Dior (Black Butter).

Doves are currently outselling the rest of the Top 5 combined and leading on both physical and digital download sales. The Universal Want is the band’s first studio album in 11 years—the group went on hiatus in 2010, returning for a series of shows in 2019 before announcing their fifth studio album.

Fellow Mancunians, art-rockers Everything Everything, start at #2 today with Re-Animator (Infinity Industries). Marilyn Manson returns with We Are Chaos (Concord/Loma Vista) landing at #3, followed by The Flaming Lips’ American Head (Bella Union) at #5.

Further down, singer and songwriter Roachford’s Twice In A Lifetime (BMG) starts at #8; it would be his first Top 20 album in 23 years if it stays on course.

On the U.K.’s Official Singles midweeks, there’s just 700 sales between Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP" (Atlantic), which currently sits at #1, and 24kGoldn f/Iann Dior’s “Mood” at #2.

“Looking For Me” (Ministry of Sound) by Paul Woolford & Diplo f/Kareen Lomax is edging closer to the Top 5, rising two places to #6, while Jason Derulo’s “Take You Dancing” (Atlantic) is up four to #7.

S1mba’s “Loose” f/KSI (Parlophone) looks set to be this week’s highest new entry at #9, and “Giants” (Island) by Dermot Kennedy has lifted two places to #20.