Sheeran’s X set to return to the top of the Official Albums Chart

Ed Sheeran’s X leads the incredibly tight race for this week’s Number 1 album, edging ahead of George Ezra’s Wanted On Voyage (2) by just over 600 copies at this midweek stage.

The record-breaking album has sold 1.79 million copies in the UK since its release last year, and was confirmed by the Official Chart Company as the biggest and fastest selling artist album of 2014.

Fellow million-seller Sam Smith’s In The Lonely Hour slides two places to Number 3 today, followed by Taylor Swift’s 1989 holding firm at 4.

Rounding out today’s Top 5 is Irish singer-songwriter Hozier with his self-titled debut (5). The album previously peaked at Number 5 upon its release in October last year.

New Entries

Further down the chart, British heavy metal group Sylosis are on track for their debut Top 40 entry this weekend with their fourth album Dormant Heart (38).

US experimental musician Panda Bear - real name Noah Lennox – is also on track for his first Top 40 with fifth studio album Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper (39).

There are five re-entries in today’s Official Albums Chart Update Top 40. Following the release of a Deluxe Edition, jazz singer-songwriter Gregory Porter’s Grammy Award winning Liquid Soul is up 90 places to Number 14.

Carole King’s 1971 release Tapestry re-enters the chart today at Number 18, trailed by Kodaline’s 2013 debut In A Perfect World (25) which climbs 52 places today, after The Voice contestant Stevie McCrorie performed album track All I Want on Saturday’s show.

ABBA’s 1992 compilation Gold - Greatest Hits climbs 14 places to 31, followed by Ed Sheeran’s +, up eight places to Number 33.

The Official Albums Chart Update Top 40 is as follows. The Official Albums Chart Top 100 will be posted in full, here, on Sunday at 7pm.

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