Last week, Ed Sheeran secured the fastest-selling album of the year so far with his latest release, – (Subtract). The achievement comes as little surprise. Indeed, after six consecutive No 1 albums (a combined total of 46 weeks at the top spot) – and prompting the Official Charts Company (OCC) to rewrite the singles chart rules after he landed 16 songs from ÷ in the Top 20 in 2017 – he’s no stranger to storming the charts.
But elsewhere in the official albums chart, things are much less secure. It’s increasingly common for artists to break into the Top 10 for one week before suddenly plummeting or disappearing altogether. Last month, Ellie Goulding reached No 1 with her new record, Higher Than Heaven; but in its second week, it dropped to No 84. Meanwhile, a confusing mix of plucky indie acts with loyal fanbases, decades-old releases and greatest hits compilations sit side by side in the chart, prompting questions about what they actually represent in 2023.
