U.K. MIDWEEKS: TWO-WAY BATTLE FOR #1

Bon Jovi is challenging Charli xcx for this week’s U.K. Official Albums #1. Over on singles, Eminem looks set for a second week at the top.

Forever (EMI), the 16th studio set from Bon Jovi, has taken an early midweek lead—but BRAT (Atlantic) by Charli xcx is fewer than 2.5k sales behind at #2. The latter is ahead on streams and could be further boosted by an expanded version featuring three extra tracks that dropped today.

As the Eras Tour visits stadiums across the U.K., Taylor Swift’s THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT (EMI) is holding strong at #3. Swift has a further four albums in today’s Top 20: Lover is at #10; Midnights at #16; Reputation at #19; and folklore at #20.

AURORA could have a career-best with fifth LP What Happened to the Heart? (Decca), new at #5. Seasick Steve is at #6 with A Trip a Stumble a Fall Down on Your Knees (SO Recordings/Silva Screen), while Meghan Trainor starts at #7 with Timeless (Epic).

On the U.K.’s Official Singles midweeks, “Houdini” (Interscope) by Eminem remains at #1.

Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” (American Dogwood/Empire) is back up one to #3. “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” (Interscope) from Billie Eilish is also up one, to #4.

This week’s highest new entry looks set to be Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please Please Please” (Island), currently #5. RAYE’s “Genesis.” (Human Re Sources) could become her 15th Top 40 single; it’s starting at #12 today.