U.K. MIDWEEK CHARTS: COMEBACKS KEEP COMING

Two artists making a triumphant comeback in Blighty—thanks to the help of Jason Iley’s Sony Music U.K.—are sitting atop the Official Charts, with Craig David at #1 on the albums list and James Arthur a non-mover at singles midweek stage. Just how close is the race?

David (pictured) released his sixth album and first in six years on Friday, Following My Intuition, via the joint venture between Andy Varley’s Insanity Management, Sony U.K. and indie company Speakerbox. It's rocketed to the top of the charts and currently sits 3.5k combined sales ahead of closest competitor, Bon Iver’s acclaimed 22, A Million (Jagjaguwar).

Just one month after country duo Ward Thomas hit #1 with their debut, there’s a second U.K. homegrown country act riding the wave. Decca’s The Shires are on course for #3 with second album My Universe, vastly improving the #10 position they reached with their debut in 2015.

Elsewhere, a deluxe edition release of Radiohead’s A Moon Shaped Pool (XL) has vaulted it 81 places to #4, and Van Morrison’s Keep Me Singing (Caroline) rounds off the Top 5. Virgin EMI punk duo Slaves are headed for #6 with their second album Take Control and The Pixies’ Head Carrier (PIAS) sits at #7.

Over on the Official Singles list, Arthur looks set for a second week at #1 with “Say You Won’t Let Go” (SYCO) sitting 11k combined sales ahead of The Chainsmokers f/Halsey’s “Closer” (RCA).

The battle for #2 is a close call as The Weeknd f/Daft Punk's “Starboy” (Island) sits just 1k combined sales behind “Closer.” Will The Weeknd, whose highest singles chart position in Blighty is #3, score a career-peak?

Meanwhile, One Direction's Niall Horan leaps 95 places to #5 with his debut solo single “This Town” (Virgin EMI), which debuted at #100 on 9/30 just a few hours after release.