U.K. CHARTS: BEN HOWARD COLLECTS A CHART-TOPPER

Ben Howard has hit the top of the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart with his fourth release, Collections From the Whiteout (Island). Over on singles, Lil Nas X’s “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” (RCA) enters straight in at #1.

Collections is Howard's second U.K. #1 album and is the best-seller in independent record shops this week, also topping the vinyl chart.

Elsewhere on albums, Justin Bieber’s Justice (EMI) is at #2 while Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia (Warner Records) rises one to #3, marking its 33rd week in the Top 10 one year from release.

Evanescence’s The Bitter Truth (RCA) is new at #4, their highest charting album in 10 years, while Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders and the London Symphony Orchestra debut at #6 with Promises (Luaka Bop).

NF’s Clouds (NF Real/Caroline) is new at #12 and the self-titled debut album from Smith/Kotzen (BMG), featuring Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen of Iron Maiden and The Winery Dogs, opens at #17.

On the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart, Lil Nas X claims his second #1 with “Montero (Call Me by Your Name),” which earned 6.8m plays this week, including 2.5m video streams.

“Your Love (9pm)” (EMI) from ATB, Topic and A7S enters the Top 10 for the first time, up four to #8, and Tom Grennan’s “Little Bit of Love” (Relentless) is up three places to #10.

British singer-songwriter Mimi Webb makes her Top 40 debut at #17 with “Good Without” (Sony), thanks in part to early success on TikTok, and “Body” (Atlantic) from British rappers Russ Millions & Tion Wayne is new at #21.