U.K. MIDWEEKS: POP POPS IN AT #1

Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott are leading this week’s U.K. Official Albums chart race while Sam Smith and Kim Petras are set for a third week at #1 at singles.

Heaton & Abbott’s N.K-Pop (EMI) could become their second #1 as a duo on Friday. Easy Life’s second LP, Maybe In Another Life… (Island), is the closest competition at #2 today.

Pink Floyd’s Animals (2018 Remix) (Parlophone) is up 97 places to #3 thanks to the release of a deluxe gatefold edition. The Cult are on track for #4 with Under The Midnight Sun (Black Hill).

The success of Beyoncé’s “Cuff It” (Columbia)—which is #6 on singles today—has sent RENAISSANCE back into the Top 10 at #7.

Sam Fender’s Seventeen Going Under (Polydor) is also on the rise, up 45 places to #8, due to a special anniversary repressing on vinyl.

On the U.K.’s Official Singles midweeks, “Unholy” (Capitol) by Smith and Petras is leading the charge at #1.

Two Aitch tracks look set for new peaks: “PSYCHO” with Anne-Marie (Asylum) is up four to #8, while Ed Sheeran collab “My G” is up three to #13.

“Big City Life” (Warner Music U.K.) by Luude and Mattafix could break into the Top 10 for the first time on Friday; it’s at #9.

Other tracks set to score new peaks include Burna Boy and Ed Sheeran’s “For My Hand” (Atlantic) at #15, Tom Grennan’s “All These Nights” (Insanity) at #16, Lizzo’s “2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)” (Atlantic) at #18, Cian Ducrot’s slow-burning hit “All For You” (Universal) at #19 and Rema’s “Calm Down” (Interscope) at #20.