Ed Sheeran wouldn’t be denied the Australian chart crown with = (Equals) (via Atlantic/Warner), which blasts to No. 1 on the national survey.
With his latest feat, Sheeran earns a fifth leader on the ARIA Albums Chart, following + (August 2012), x (June 2014), ÷ ( March 2017) and No. 6 Collaborations Project (July 2019).
The “Ed Sheeran effect” can be felt up and down the chart, as his three previous albums impact the Top 50: ÷ (No. 19), x (No. 47) and No.6 Collaborations Project (No. 48).
Equals, which also leads the U.K. and U.S. charts, features four ARIA Top 10 tracks in “Bad Habits” (No. 1 in July), “Visiting Hours” (No. 3 in August) and “Shivers” (No. 2 in November) and the latest single, “Overpass Graffiti” (No. 8 in November).
Meanwhile, Doja Cat’s Planet Her (RCA/Sony) lifts 5-2 on the ARIA Albums Chart, for a new peak position in its 19th week, while the previous week’s leader, Rüfüs Du Sol’s Surrender (Warner), dips 1-5.
Former X Factor Australia champion and Eurovision runner-up Dami Im scores her fifth ARIA Top 50 entry as My Reality (ABC/Warner) bows at No. 12. Im led the ARIA Chart with her self-titled second album, from 2013.
Also new to the chart this week is Mastodon’s Hushed And Grim (Reprise/Warner), at No. 16, for the American metal outfit’s sixth ARIA Top 50 appearance.
Melbourne indie rock veterans Even start at No. 18 with Reverse Light Years (Independent). It’s their highest chart peak and first Top 50 appearance in 20 years.
Finally, Philadelphia rock outfit The War On Drugs score a third career chart appearance with I Don’t Live Here Anymore (Atlantic/Warner), their fifth album. It’s new at No. 21.
