U.K. MIDWEEKS: BLUR SCORES WITH BALLAD

Blur are outselling the rest of the U.K.’s Official Albums Top 10 combined at today’s halfway point. Over on singles, “Sprinter” (Live Yours/Neighbourhood) remains on top.

The Ballad of Darren (Parlophone) is set to become Blur’s seventh U.K. #1 on Friday.

Greta Van Fleet are on their way to a career-peak with Starcatcher (EMI) starting at #2. Join the Club (ADF) from Nottingham band As December Falls is expected to land at #3.

K-pop girl group NewJeans have another new entry in the midweek Top 10, their second EP, Get Up (ADOR), at #7.

On the U.K.’s Official Singles midweeks, Dave and Central Cee’s “Sprinter” is set for an eighth week at #1.

With the release of the Barbie movie, the soundtrack’s lead single, “Dance the Night” (Warner Records) by Dua Lipa, looks set to rise 10 places to #5.

“Barbie World” (10K Projects/Capitol) by Ice Spice, Nicki Minaj and Aqua, also from the film, could reach a new peak of #11.

Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” (EMI) charges toward a rebound at #3, as Nathan Dawe, Joel Corry & Ella Henderson’s “0800 Heaven” (Warner Music U.K.) soars to a new peak of #6.

Bou’s breakout anthem, “Closer” (Island) f/Slay is looking to enter the Top 20 at #12, while Byron Messia’s “Talibans” (Ztekk Records) is also predicted to hit new heights at #14.