Gorillaz take on Ed Sheeran for this week’s Official Albums Chart Number 1Damon Albarn’s virtual alter-egos Gorillaz are going head to head with Ed Sheeran this week as their latest album Humanz leads the way on today’s Official Albums Chart Update. As of today’s mid-week sales flash, 2-D, Murdoc, Noodle and Russel are less than 300 equivalent sales ahead of Ed Sheeran, who has reigned the Official Albums Chart for eight consecutive weeks with ÷. During his tenure so far, he has stopped the likes of Drake, Take That, Kendrick Lamar and Steps from capturing a coveted Number 1 album. Will Gorillaz be the first to topple Ed? This week’s Top 5 is completed by Rag’n’Bone Man’s hugely popular Human (3), Steps’ Tears On The Dancefloor (4) and Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. (5). New entries and high climbers Glee actress Lea Michele is on course for her second consecutive Top 40 album with Places at 27, while prog rock outfit Big Big Train are on target for Number 30 with Grimspound. Following them are New Found Glory, whose ninth studio offering Makes Me Sick currently sits at 34. Finally, Mac Demarco’s This Old Dog is barking towards the Number 37 slot, and Canadian artist Feist could return to the Top 40 for the first time since 2011 with Pleasures at Number 39. Notes to Editors About Official Charts Company The Official Charts Company is a joint venture between record labels' body the BPI and ERA, the Entertainment Retailers Association. The Official Charts Company are responsible for the commissioning, marketing, distribution and management of the UK's industry standard music charts and industry sales data. View the Official Charts Hear the Official Charts The Official Chart Update with Greg James, Mondays 5.30 - 5.45pm, gives music fans a weekly sneak preview of the Official Singles and Albums Charts, providing a "half-time" bulletin on his BBC Radio 1 Show, letting music fans in on who is leading the way in the Official Singles & Albums Charts ahead of the Friday Official Chart announcement. The Update reveals how the runners and riders are selling and streaming in the first three days of the chart week (Friday through to Sunday), outlining the hottest new tracks of the week so far, as well as the new entries and highest climbers. May 2, 2017 1:00pm ET by Official Charts Company |