Taylor Swift is ready to reclaim her chart crown in the U.K., though Harry Styles might have something to say about it.
As the Christmas-themed records disappear for another year, Swift’s lockdown LP Evermore (EMI) leads the Official Chart Update, and is on track to snag a second non-consecutive week at No. 1.
Following its surprise release on Dec. 11, Evermore became Swift’s sixth No. 1 album in the U.K., pushing her past Madonna as the female artist to clock a half dozen chart leaders in the swiftest time.
Styles, meanwhile, could earn a new chart high with Fine Line (Columbia), up 10-2 on the sales blast. The former One Direction singer’s sophomore album is enjoying a boost thanks to the release of “Treat People With Kindness,” the video for which features Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
At the midway point in the chart cycle, the top five is rounded out by titles from Dua Lipa (Future Nostalgia via Warner Records), Little Mix (Confetti via RCA) and Queen’s Greatest Hits (Virgin) juggernaut, which has logged 276 weeks on the chart and is recognized as the U.K.’s best-selling album of all time.
The late British-born hip-hop artist MF Doom could enter the Top 40 for the first time with his 2004 album Madvillainy with Madlib (Stones Throw), which currently sit at No. 30. Doom (real name Daniel Dumile) died on Oct. 31 of unknown causes, aged 49.
Over in the singles chart race, Little Mix stays on track for a fifth No. 1 as “Sweet Melody” holds an advantage over Ed Sheeran’s comeback track “Afterglow” (Asylum), while Justin Bieber should grab the highest new entry with “Anyone” (Def Jam). It’s new at No. 7 on the Official Chart Update.
The Official U.K. Singles and Albums Charts are published late Friday.
