In a thrilling moment for the British music scene, Dua Lipa’s newest album “Radical Optimism” has debuted at the top of the UK Official Albums Chart, showcasing a remarkable milestone in the career of this talented artist.
“Radical Optimism” has not only secured the Number 1 spot but has also achieved the biggest opening week for a British female artist since Adele’s “30” in November 2021. The album garnered an impressive 46,300 chart units in its first seven days, according to the Official Charts Company, surpassing other notable releases of the year, and becoming the album with the biggest opening week for any British artist overall, for this year.
This success is particularly noteworthy as it’s Dua Lipa’s first album to debut directly at Number 1 in the UK. Her previous Number 1 record, “Future Nostalgia”, reached the top spot in its second week of release. Whereas her debut self-titled album managed to peak at Number 3.
Adding to the celebration, “Radical Optimism” emerged as this week’s best-selling vinyl album, topping the Official Vinyl Albums Chart—a testament to Dua Lipa’s broad appeal across formats.
Meanwhile, in the dynamic landscape of the UK music scene, other artists are making waves. Frank Turner’s latest album “UNDEFEATED” marks his sixth Top 10 entry by charting at Number 3. Turner’s recent world record of playing the most gigs over 24 hours, supporting music venues, adds to the buzz surrounding his new release. The album also became this week’s Number 1 on the Official Record Store Chart—the best seller in UK independent record shops over the past week.
Additionally, Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones achieves a personal best with his second solo album “Inevitable Incredible”, surpassing the success of his debut solo project, by charting at Number 6.
ABBA’s enduring influence is highlighted as “Gold: Greatest Hits” re-enters the Top 10 in its remarkable 1149th week on the chart—a remarkable feat showcasing the timeless appeal of their music as they celebrate 50 years since their life-changing win at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1988.
Further down the chart, emerging talents like Rachel Chinouriri with “What A Devastating Turn Of Events”, The Karma Effect’s debut “Promised Land”, Camera Obscura’s “Look To The East, Look To The West”, and KayMuni’s mixtape “Signed To T” make notable debut appearances at Number 17, Number 19, Number 36, and Number 37, respectively.
Dua Lipa’s achievement with “Radical Optimism” underscores the vibrancy and diversity of the UK music industry, where established names and rising stars continue to captivate audiences and shape the UK musical landscape. What new albums will enter next week? Can any of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 representatives make an impact?