Singles
Another week at #1 for The Weeknd with Blinding Lights on top for 10 weeks after 17 weeks on the chart. But let’s look at activity elsewhere in the top 10. Not sure of the gap between listens for #1 and #2, but let’s guess its small. That means there could have been an upset with Roses from Saint Jhn shooting from #7 to #2 in its sixth week on the chart. The single from the US rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer has hit #1 in the UK.
Saint Jhn
Also making a run for the top is Powfu with Deathbed jumping from #13 to #7 after four weeks on the chart. Could we possibly see one Canadian superstar handing over top spot to another?
Also making some moves on the chart this week were other tracks from The Weeknd’s new #1 album – In Your Eyes is new at #13, After Hours moves from #48 to #17 and Heartless re-enters the chart at #38 for a sixth week.
Just one other new arrival – YouTuber Drip Report with Skechers at #47.
Albums
The first album in four years from The Weeknd has gone straight to #1 which would surprise nobody. After dominating the singles chart for much of 2020, his first album release since 2016’s Starboy has been devoured by fans. Pitchfork called his new After Hours album “his most satisfying collision of new wave, dream pop, and R&B” and it looks set to linger on the chart for many weeks. The Weeknd spat out three albums in the three years from 2013 with Beauty Behind the Madness and Starboy both reaching #1. The last time an artist sat at #1 on both charts was Billie Eilish in April last year.
Before we list details of the new top 50 debuts this week, a bit more about Billie Eilish who this week clocks up a year in the chart for When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? Also still charting – after 78 weeks if you don’t mind – is her debut EP Don’t Smile At Me.
#4 The Smith Street Band with Live at the Triffid. The coronavirus has left a trail of destruction that includes much of the entertainment industry. Melbourne’s Smith Street Band were supposed to start this week in Perth and end it in NSW. Those gigs were all postponed of course and in an effort to raise funds for their road crew the band has released this complete Brisbane show on bandcamp for just $10.
#8 Adam Lambert with Velvet. Australian audiences have long appreciated the work of the former American Idol finalist, but those who didn’t know much about him had the chance to sample his talents during Queen’s recent stadium tour. Velvet is Lambert’s fourth solo set, and for the rest of 2020 he will be juggling both his jobs with solo shows and more touring with Queen.
#10 Kenny Rogers with All the Hits and All New Love Songs. Two releases from the recently departed country music star chart this week. There are 38 tracks on this double album that should keep most happy.
#11 Childish Gambino with 3.15.20. Not all critics have been glowing in their praise, but there is enough excitement to warrant investigating the latest from over-achiever Donald Glover. It’s his fourth album and the first since Awaken! My Love in 2016.
#26 Conan Gray with Kid Krow. The debut album from the US singer-songwriter who grew up in California, Japan and later Texas and built a career after a self-released single in 2017 attracted a following on Spotify and YouTube.
#27 Kelsea Ballerini with Kelsea. Third album from the US country artists. Her second, Unapologetically, peaked at #12 in 2017.
#38 Kenny Rogers with 21 Number Ones.