U.K. MIDWEEKS: #1s FOR ED, ELTON, BRANDI?

Ed Sheeran and Elton John are not only longtime friends, but they've collectively been perpetual mainstays at the top of the Official U.K. Charts for generations.

That streak could continue this week, as Sheeran's "Azizam" (Asylum) is in a close race for #1 on Singles against Alex Warren's current topper, "Ordinary" (Atlantic). Meanwhile, John and Brandi Carlile are set to debut at #1 on Albums with Who Believes in Angels? (EMI).

Also eyeing a huge Singles debut this week is RCA's Sleep Token, whose "Caramel" could open at #4. It would be the hard-rock group's first Top 10 U.K. hit.

Miley Cyrus could debut at #18 with "End of the World," one of the lead tracks from her 5/30 Columbia release Something Beautiful.

If Who Believes in Angels? reaches the top spot on Albums, it will be John's 10th #1 and Carlile's first.

Eclectic U.K. group Black Country, New Road could debut at a career-best #2 with Forever Howlong (Ninja Tune), while American indie favorite Ethel Cain could hit #4 with a physical reissue of her 2022 debut, Preacher's Daughter (Daughters of Cain).

Farther down, metal veterans Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) and Richie Kotzen (Winery Dogs) could start at #9 with Black Light/White Noise (BMG), and former Lush principal Miki Berenyi will likely bow at #12 via the debut album with her Trio, Tripla (Bella Union).