U.K. MIDWEEKS: STORMZY VS. CLIFF
Stormzy and Cliff Richard are battling it out for this week’s U.K. Official Albums #1, while Taylor Swift remains on top at singles.
Stormzy’s third set—and first for 0207 Def Jam—This Is What I Mean, is #1 today. Should it hold onto its lead until Friday, Stormzy will claim his third #1. Richard’s Christmas With Cliff (East West/Rhino) is #2.
The Cure’s landmark ninth album, Wish (Polydor/UMR), could return to the Top 5, at #4, thanks to a reissue featuring 24 previously unreleased tracks.
Among the Christmas-related releases in today’s Top 20 are A Family Christmas (Decca) by Andrea, Matteo and Virginia Bocelli at #5 and Michael Bublé’s Christmas (Reprise) at #11. A special Christmas edition of George Ezra’s Gold Rush Kid (Columbia) gives the former #1 a boost back into the Top 20, at #15.
On the U.K.’s Official Singles chart, “Anti-Hero” (EMI) by Swift is tracking for a sixth week at #1, boosted by a new acoustic version.
Meghan Trainor’s “Made You Look” (RCA) is set to claim a new peak on Friday, edging one place to #2 midweek. Venbee, goddard. and ArrDee’s “Messy in Heaven” (Columbia) is also on the upswing, rising two to #3. Anne-Marie and Aitch’s “PSYCHO” (Asylum/Major Toms) could jump into the Top 5 for the first time; it’s up two to #4.
With the release of his new album, Stormzy’s “Hide & Seek” and “Firebabe” look set to reach new peaks, at #6 and #7, respectively.
A host of festive favorites are also on the ascent: Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (Columbia) is #8; Wham!’s “Last Christmas” (Epic) is #10; and Ed Sheeran and Elton John’s “Merry Christmas” (Asylum) is #16.
