U.K. MIDWEEKS: Q1 STARTS WITH A RACE

Some drama has arrived in the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart thanks to a tight battle for the #1 spot between Eminem (Interscope) and Ramz (Island), as Sound Of winner Sigrid (Island) rises 23 places to #3 after appearing on Friday’s The Graham Norton Show.

Over on albums, Fall Out Boy and Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit are vying for the top spot.

Last week’s Official Singles #1, “River” by Eminem f/Ed Sheeran, is still at the top but followed closely by viral hit “Barking" by Ramz. The former leads on downloads while the latter is in front on streaming. Sigrid, who has yet to crack the Top 10 in Blighty, has shot to #3 with “Strangers” which was released in November.

Other high risers include Dua Lipa up to #8 with “IDGAF” (Warner Bros.) and “Breathe” (Polydor) by Jax Jones f/Ina Wroldsen at #9. Drake’s “God’s Plan” (Island) from surprise EP Scary Hours is currently at #16.

Over on the U.K.'s Official Albums midweek update, The Greatest Showman soundtrack (Atlantic) is still at #1, and just over 2.1k combined chart sales ahead of Fall Out Boy with Mania (Virgin EMI). Behind at #3 by just 548 chart sales is Columbia’s First Aid Kit with fourth album, Ruins, set to land them their first Top 10.