GUTS and Glory: Olivia Rodrigo Challenges Eminem for U.K. Top Album Spot
Eminem is in a tight race to keep his album The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace) at No. 1 on the U.K. Official Albums Chart for a second consecutive week.
The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace) debuted at No. 1 last Friday, marking Eminem’s 11th U.K. No. 1 album, equaling the records of U2 and David Bowie.
However, at the midweek point, Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS is challenging for the top spot, trailing by fewer than 200 chart units.
The boost for GUTS comes from the physical release of its deluxe version, GUTS (spilled), which has pushed the album back into the Top 10. GUTS initially debuted at No. 1 last year, securing one week at the top.
The punk duo SOFT PLAY, previously known as Slaves, are expected to achieve this week’s highest new entry with Heavy Jelly at No. 3. As Slaves, Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent had three consecutive U.K. top 10 albums with Are You Satisfied?, Take Control, and Acts of Fear and Love.
Glass Animals’ fourth album, I Love You So F**ing Much, is on track to enter the charts at No. 4. This would be their second top 10 U.K. album following their breakout success with Dreamland, which peaked at No. 2 and featured the global hit “Heat Waves.”
Heavy metal legends Deep Purple might secure their 12th top 10 album and first in four years with their 23rd release, =1, currently projected to enter at No. 6. Indie rockers Los Campesinos! are aiming for their first Top 10 album with All Hell positioned at No. 10.
London-based rapper Morrisson is set to debut just outside the Top 10 with his first album British Trap Royalty at No. 11.
Meanwhile, BTS member JIMIN’s solo effort MUSE is aiming for a U.K. top 40 spot at No. 25, based on midweek data, while Childish Gambino’s final album, Bando Stone & The New World, is set to enter at No. 26.
Following their recent performance at BST Hyde Park, K-pop group STRAY KIDS could see their album ATE land at No. 30, marking their second top 40 entry on the Official Albums Chart.
All will be revealed when the Official Chart is published late Friday, July 26.
Jessica Lynch
Billboard