U.K. MIDWEEKS: KIWANUKA VS. KENDRICK

Michael Kiwanuka is leading this week’s U.K. Official Albums race with Small Changes (Polydor), while on the singles midweek tally, Gracie Abrams is gunning for an uninterrupted month at #1.

Small Changes has a lead of 4.6k in chart units at today’s halfway point. Should it hold onto its position, it will be Kiwanuka’s second #1. His closest competition is Kendrick Lamar’s GNX (Interscope), at #2, which could inch ahead by Friday.

Father John Misty is on track to earn his third Top 10, with Mahashmashana (Bella Union) starting at #5. The Pet Shop Boys’ Nonetheless (Parlophone) is primed to re-enter the Top 10 at #6 following the release of its Expanded edition.

Wizkid could secure his first Top 10 with Morayo (RCA), at #7. Former chart-toppers Michael Ball & Alfie Boe are expected to rise back to #9 with Together at Home (Tag8 Music).

On the U.K.’s Official Singles midweeks, Abrams’ “That’s So True” (Interscope) is still leading the charge after four weeks at the top.

As Christmas season officially begins, “Last Christmas” (Epic) by WHAM! is expected to jump 12 spots to #4, and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (Columbia) is up eight to #9.

Following the surprise release of Lamar's GNX, three tracks from the LP are in today’s Top 20. “Wacced Out Murals” is at #6, “Squabble Up” is #7 and “Luther” stands at #13.

“Defying Gravity” (Verve/Republic), from the Wicked soundtrack, featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, is set to debut at #12. Grande’s “Popular,” also from the ST, starts off at #22.