Ed Sheeran's Autumn Variations secures him seventh Number 1 album

Ed Sheeran celebrates his seventh Official Number 1 album with Autumn Variations. 

The Sussex-raised singer-songwriter’s latest collection, which sees him team up with American record producer Aaron Dessner (Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams), becomes Ed’s seventh consecutive LP to reach the same, following 2011 debut +, 2014 release x, 2017’s ÷, 2019 record No. 6 Collaborations Project, 2021’s = and 2023 album -. 

Autumn Variations also tops the Official Vinyl Albums Chart, proving the most popular album of the past seven days on wax. 

Speaking exclusively to Official Charts, Ed Sheeran says:  

“Thank you so much for making Autumn Variations the Official Number 1 album in the UK. 

“It’s my first album on my own record label [Gingerbread Man Records], so this means more than any other award I’ve had. Thanks for all the support; it’s been amazing to get reconnected with the fans over the past few months. 

“I hope you continue liking the album, and I’ll see you next year for the next one!” 

Olivia Rodrigo’s second studio album GUTS holds strong at Number 2 for a third consecutive week. The former chart-topper already lands a place on Official Charts’ list of 2023’s Top 40 best-selling vinyl albums after just three tracking weeks on sale, landing at Number 13. 

MORE: The Official Top 40 biggest albums of 2023 revealed

WATCH Ed Sheeran accept his Official Number 1 album award for Autumn Variations:

MORE: The Official Top 40 biggest vinyl albums and singles of 2023 so far unveiled

Jorja Smith’s second full-length release falling or flying earns the Walsall-born singer-songwriter a third UK Top 10 album (3), matching her previous Official Albums Chart peak with 2018 debut Lost & Found (3) and joining 2021 EP Be Right Back (9). 

falling or flying also nets a Top 5 debut on this week’s the Official Vinyl Albums Chart (3) and tops the Official Record Store Chart, meaning it’s the most-purchased album of the past seven days in the UK’s independent record shops. 

Steven Wilson’s The Harmony Codex secures the Porcupine Tree lead vocalist a third solo Top 5 album (4). Previously, the Kingston upon Thames export claimed Top 5 records with 2017’s To the Bone (3) and 2021’s The Future Bites (4). The Harmony Codex also earns Top 5 debuts on the Official Vinyl Albums Chart (4) and Official Record Store Chart (2). 

Round out this week’s Top 5 is The Weeknd’s The Highlights (5). Abel Tesfaye’s 2019 chart mainstay claims the title of 2023’s Official biggest album so far according to newly-released Official Charts data. 

Kentucky-formed rockers Black Stone Cherry bag their fourth Top 10 album – and first in five years – with Screamin’ at the Sky (6). The record also lands Top 10 debuts on the Official Vinyl Albums Chart (7) and Official Record Store Chart (8). 

Lana Del Rey’s second studio album, 2014’s Ultraviolence, vaults back into the Top 10 for the first time since its year of release this week following its repressing on vinyl (7), also reaching a new peak on the Official Vinyl Albums Chart (2). Read about the lasting legacy of Lana’s career-resetting Ultraviolence here. 

A 10th anniversary reissue of Haim’s influential debut Days Are Gone sees the record return to the Top 20 for the first time since 2013 (20), while British synth-wave pioneers Gunship land a career-best with Unicorn (26). 

UK Eurovision 2023 entrant Mae Muller claims her first UK Top 40 album with her debut full-length Sorry I’m Late (33), as British soul star Beverley Knight bags an eighth with The Fifth Chapter (39). 

Finally, a 30th anniversary reissue of American rockers Green Day’s Dookie sees it return to the Top 40 for the first time in 23 years (40). The record peaked at Number 13 back in 1995. 

See the Official Albums Chart Top 100 in full here from 5.45pm.