The Lathums battle Doves for UK's Number 1 album

It’s a fresh new chart week, and we’re witnessing the beginnings of an intense battle for the UK’s Number 1 album. 

As it stands, less than 500 chart units stand between The Lathums and Doves in the race to top the Official Albums Chart. 

Leading the charge at the midweek mark are The Lathums, with Matter Does Not Define (1), which could become the Wigan outfit’s third consecutive UK Number 1 album, following 2021’s How Beautiful Life Can Be and 2023’s From Nothing To A Little Bit More.  

However, not far behind are Doves. The indie-rock three-piece, hailing from Cheshire, have just released their first album in five years, Constellations For The Lonely (2). Doves have previously claimed three UK Number 1 albums; 2002’s The Last Broadcast, 2005’s Some Cities and 2020’s The Universal Want. 2009 LP Kingdom of Rust also peaked at Number 2.  

Brighton metal-core group Architects approach their second Top 10 LP with The Sky, The Earth and All Between (3), while Britpop superstars Oasis could send their former 2000 chart-topper Standing on the Shoulders of Giants back into the Top 5, following the release of a 25th anniversary vinyl (4).  

The Vamps frontman Bradley Simpson could celebrate his first Top 10 LP as a solo artist, with The Panic Years aiming for a big debut (6). 

Following a triumphant BRITs performance and its release on vinyl, Lola Young’s second album This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway could make its first appearance in the Top 10 (8). Lola’s breakthrough LP (which contains her first Number 1 single, Messy) previously peaked at Number 38.  

LISA is approaching a Top 10 entry for her debut solo studio album Alter Ego (10). Featuring link-ups with the likes of Future, Megan Thee Stallion and Rosalía, it would be the second album by a BLACKPINK member to hit the Top 10, following ROSÉ’s rosie, which reached Number 4. 

Teddy Swims sees his two-part debut album I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy experience a rise midweek. Part 2 is up 17 to Number 18 today, while Part 1 surges up 20 to Number 23. 

Rising Manchester poet and producer Antony Szmierek could see his debut album Service Station at the End of the Universe enter inside the Top 40 (29). 

Finally, Bon Jovi’s breakthrough 1986 record Slippery When Wet is on track to earn a Top 40 re-entry thanks to a 30th anniversary re-issue, including a water-filled vinyl. Slippery When Wet previously peaked at Number 6 in the UK and contained the hit singles You Give Love A Bad Name, Livin’ On A Prayer (a Number 4 UK hit) and Wanted Dead Or Alive.