U.K. MIDWEEKS: ADELE IN CONTROL

Adele is heading for a second week atop the U.K.’s Official Albums and Singles charts with 30 (Columbia) and “Easy on Me.” Westlife and Gary Barlow have new albums in the Top 5.

At the halfway point, Westlife’s Wild Dreams (East West/Rhino) looks set to debut behind Adele at #2, while Barlow starts at #4 with The Dream of Christmas (Polydor).

Rebounding seven places to #6 is Rod Stewart’s The Tears of Hercules (Warner Records), while Michael Bublé’s now-perennial Christmas (Reprise) rises 10 spots to #7. Elton John’s former chart-topper, The Lockdown Sessions (EMI), could also ascend back into the Top 10 this week, currently vaulting six places to #8.

Outside the Top 10, David Bowie’s posthumous box-set compilation, Brilliant Adventure (Parlophone), is eyeing a debut at #12. Coldplay’s latest, Music of the Spheres (Parlophone), rises nine spots to #13.

On the U.K.’s Official Singles midweeks, Adele’s “Easy on Me” remains #1 and her “I Drink Wine” uncorks at #2 after moving up two places.

“Flowers (Say My Name)” (Island) from Brighton rapper ArrDee is contemplating a new peak, jumping four to #3. Sam Fender’s “Seventeen Going Under” also looks ready for a new high, having risen two to #7.

And, as 'tis the season, a number of modern-classic Christmas songs enter the Top 10: Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (Sony) is up 18 to #6 and “Last Christmas” (Sony) by Wham! has jumped 19 places to #9.