U.K. MIDWEEKS: HOZIER EYES #1 DEBUT

It appears that Hozier will score his first U.K. Official Albums #1 with Unreal Unearth (Island). Over on singles, there’s a three-way battle for the top.

Unreal Unearth looks set to top Hozier’s previous best of #3, achieved with his self-titled debut in 2014.

Exorcism of Youth (Cooking Vinyl) by Scottish band The View is #2 today, followed by Birdy’s Portraits (Warner Music U.K.) at #3.

Reneé Rapp will almost certainly make her U.K. chart debut with Snow Angel (Interscope), at #4.

Outside the Top 10, a 40th anniversary rerelease of Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense (Sire) could re-enter at #13 to reach its highest peak. Aerosmith’s Greatest Hits (Universal) is heading for the Top 20 on Friday, starting at #19.

On the U.K.’s Official Singles midweeks, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo are in a three-way race for #1. There is less than 1k in sales separating the trio at today’s halfway point.

“Dance the Night” (Warner Records), Lipa's contribution to the Barbie soundtrack, currently leads the charge, followed by Barbie's “What Was I Made For” (Interscope) by Eilish at #2. Rodrigo’s “vampire” (Geffen) is #3.

Succeeding last week’s record-breaking feat, female artists still make up the majority of the Top 10, with Doja Cat’s “Paint the Town Red” (Kemosabe/RCA) ready to rise eight places to #7 to join the work of her sisters.

Chase & Status, Bou and Flowdan could all reach a new peak this week with “Baddadan” (EMI), expected to climb six to #14.

After its debut in the Top 40 last week, Sonny Fodera, MK and Clementine Douglas’ “Asking” (Solotoko) is expected to rise 11 to #20.