Ed Sheeran season is here.
The superstar English singer and songwriter is cruising to No. 1 on the U.K. chart with Autumn Variations (via Gingerbread Man), which dropped last Friday (Sept. 29) for Sheeran’s second long-play release of the year.
Based on sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, Autumn Variations is outselling its nearest competitor by more than two-to-one, to lead the chart blast.
If it holds its course, Sheeran will extend his flawless streak of No. 1 studio albums to seven, a run that began with his 2011 debut + (plus).
Produced with Aaron Dessner, Autumn Variations should give Sheeran his second leader on the Official U.K. Albums Chart in 2023, after – (subtract) logged two weeks at the summit in June.
Coming in at No. 2 on the Official Chart Update is Porcupine Tree member Steven Wilson‘s solo effort The Harmony Codex (SW Records). If it stays on target, The Harmony Codex would be Wilson’s highest charting solo effort, improving on peak positions of 2017’s To The Bone (No. 3) and 2021’s The Future Bites (No. 4).
Completing the podium at the midweek stage is British R&B artist Jorja Smith’s sophomore album Falling Or Flying (FAMM). It’s new at No. 3 on the chart blast, and should give the BRITs Critics Choice award winner a third U.K. top 10 appearance.
Further down, Kentucky rock act Black Stone Cherry could nab a fourth U.K. top 10 with Screamin’ At The Sky (Mascot), set to bow at No. 5; U.K. retro synth-pop trio act Gunship could ride to a first U.K. top 10 with concept album Unicorn (Horsie In The Hedge), poised for a No. 7 start; while British soul veteran Beverley Knight who could bag her fifth top 10 with The Fifth Chapter (Tag8), set to start at No. 10.
Keep an eye out for potential top 40 berths from Anna Lapwood (LUNA at No. 26 via Sony Classical), Wilco (Cousin at No. 29 via Sony Music CG), Orb & David Gilmour (Metallic Spheres In Colour at No. 31 via Sony Music CG), Hawkwind (Space Ritual at No. 32 via Atomhenge/Cherry Red), 2023 U.K. Eurovision rep Mae Muller (Sorry I’m Late at No. 33 via Capitol) and Andrew Cushin (Waiting For The Rain at No. 35 via Strap Originals).
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published late Friday, Oct. 6.