U.K. MIDWEEKS: THE AUTUMN WIND

With Autumn Variations (Gingerbread Man), Ed Sheeran is heading for his seventh U.K. Official Albums #1. Fierce competition for the top spot presides at Singles.

Autumn Variations—Sheeran's first album to be released via his own imprint—is currently outselling its closest competitor by more than two to one. That competitor is Porcupine Tree member Steven Wilson, with his solo record, The Harmony Codex (SW Records), at #2.

There are two further new entries in today’s midweek update: R&B artist Jorja Smith is #3 with her second set, Falling or Flying (FAMM), and Black Stone Cherry’s Screamin’ at the Sky (Mascot) starts at #5.

Synthwave trio Gunship could land its first U.K. Top 10 on Friday, with Unicorn (Rough Trade) at #7. Lana Del Rey’s Ultraviolence (Polydor) is back at #8 thanks to a new 10-year anniversary vinyl release. Beverly Knight is on track for #10 with The Fifth Chapter (BMG).

On the U.K.’s Official Singles midweeks, “Paint the Town Red” (Ministry of Sound) by Doja Cat is still #1. However, fewer than 2k in sales separate her and three other contenders.

Kenya Grace’s “Strangers” (Ministry of Sound) is strong competition at #2, as is “3D” (BIGHIT) by Jung Kook and Jack Harlow, at #3 (this week’s highest new entry). “Prada” (Ministry of Sound) by cassö, RAYE and D-Block Europe is also in the running, at #4.

Sonny Fodera, MK and Clementine Douglas’ slow-burning dance hit, “Asking” (Solotoko), is expected to enter the Top 10 for the first time at #10. Rising South African artist Tyla’s breakthrough track, “Water” (Epic), could also rush to a new peak of #12. So could Burna Boy’s “City Boys” (Atlantic), at #14, and Billy Gillies & Hannah Boleyn’s “DNA (Loving You)” (Big Beat Records), at #17.