The Weeknd and Miley Cyrus claimed 2023’s biggest selling album and single in the U.K., respectively. Taylor Swift's re-recording of her 2014 album was the only 2023 release in the Top 10.

The Highlights (Republic) by The Weeknd and Cyrus’s “Flowers” (RCA) took the top places. While there were no new albums, half of the singles Top 10 arrived last year.

The fact that hit albums from the likes of Ed Sheeran, Olivia Rodrigo, Lewis Capaldi and The Rolling Stones missed out on the Top 10 is either a sign of the times, or a cause for concern.

“The stats highlight just how hard it is for new albums to make an impact in our increasingly streaming-obsessed and algorithm-driven world,” says James Hall, who has written a feature on the matter for The Telegraph.

UMG wins on albums with six entries, while Sony tallies the most singles with six in the Top 10. Elsewhere on albums, Sony has two and Warner and the indie sector take one apiece. UMG and Warner count one single each and the indie sector has two.

OFFICIAL ARTIST ALBUMS CHART 2023

The Weeknd The Highlights (Republic)
Taylor Swift Midnights (EMI)
Taylor Swift 1989 (Taylor’s Version) (EMI)
Elton John Diamonds (Virgin EMI)
Harry Styles Harry’s House(Columbia)
Fleetwood Mac 50 Years - Don’t Stop (Warner Records)
Eminem Curtain Call - The Hits(Interscope)
SZA SOS (RCA)
Arctic Monkeys AM (Domino)
ABBA Gold - Greatest Hits (Polar Music)

OFFICIAL SINGLES CHART 2023

Miley Cyrus “Flowers” (RCA)
Dave & Central Cee “Sprinter” (Neighbourhood/Live Yours)
RAYEf/070 Shake “Escapism” (Human Re Sources)
Taylor Swift “Anti-Hero” (EMI)
Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding “Miracle” (Columbia)
Rema “Calm Down” (Mavin)
SZA “Kill Bill” (RCA)
PinkPantheress “Boy’s A Liar” (Parlophone)
Harry Styles “As It Was” (Columbia)
Libianca “People” (5K Records/Sony)