BTS have a mountain to climb if they’re to snag a third U.K. No. 1 album. Consider it a challenge for the K-pop group and their loyal ARMY.
On the midweek chart, BTS come in at No. 2 with their fifth Korean-language studio album BE (BigHit Entertainment).
It’s the most downloaded and streamed album of the week so far, the Official Charts Company reports, though its well adrift of the pace-setter, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe’s Together at Christmas (Decca).
Ball and Boe’s holiday set is the best-selling CD in the first half of the week, and races to No. 1 on the Official Chart Update with a lead of 7,000 combined sales. If it holds its ground, Together at Christmas will be the pair’s third U.K. No. 1 album.
There’s a spike for Taylor Swift’s former leader Folklore (EMI), which vaults 36-3 following its release on vinyl.
Last week’s No. 1, AC/DC’s Power Up (Columbia), dips to No. 4, while Iron Maiden’s live effort Nights Of The Dead – Legacy Of The Beast (Parlophone) is new at No. 5.
Meanwhile, Neil Diamond and the London Symphony Orchestra’s Classic Diamonds (Capitol) sparkles at No. 6, Pink Floyd’s live album Delicate Sound of Thunder (Rhino) booms at No. 7, and Nick Cave’s live recording from Alexandra Palace Idiot Prayer: Nick Cave Alone (Bad Seed) is at No. 8.
New releases from Cribs, Josh Groban, Tim Minchin and the 20th anniversary edition of Coldplay’s debut Parachutes (Parlophone) are poised for Top 20 entries.
Over on the midweek singles chart, Ariana Grande holds her position while BTS’ “Life Goes On” loses steam.
Grande’s “Positions” (Republic Records) is at No. 1 on the Official Singles Chart Update ahead of Billie Eilish’s “Therefore I Am” (Interscope), while BTS’ latest opens at No. 4, having started the week at No. 2.
The Official U.K. Singles and Albums Charts are published late Friday, local time.
