And just like that, The Last Dinner Party is converting critical praise into commercial success with Prelude to Ecstasy (via Island), the British newcomers’ debut LP.
Based on midweek sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, Prelude to Ecstasy leads the way in the U.K. chart race.
Prelude to Ecstasy makes a fast start and is predicted to take the title when the national chart is published later this week.
Based in London, the indie rock-pop quintet — Abigail Morris (vocals), Georgia Davies (bass), Lizzie Mayland (guitar), Aurora Nishevci (keys) and Emily Roberts (lead guitar) — captured the buzz on both sides of the Atlantic last year, thanks in part to “Nothing Matters,” their breakthrough debut single.
With “Nothing Matters” in their pocket, the group snagged this year’s BRITs Rising Star Award and the BBC Sound Of 2024 poll, a double that assures The Last Dinner Party status as the next big thing in music.
Prelude to Ecstasy features “Nothing Matters,” which the band performed on The Late Show last month for their U.S. late night TV debut, and which last week cracked the U.K. top 40 for the first time, vaulting 41-22.
Also new to the Official Chart Update is Jamie Webster’s 10 For The People (Modern Sky), at No. 2. If it holds its course, 10 For The People would give Webster a career best, outdoing 2022’s Moments, which peaked at No. 3.
Completing the podium on the chart blast is Paul McCartney & Wings’ third LP Band on the Run (Capitol), which is set for a return to the top 10 following the release of a special 50th anniversary edition. After release back in 1973, Band on the Run led the albums tally for seven consecutive weeks.
Britpop era psychedelic rock band Kula Shaker is eyeing a first top 10 album in 25 years with Natural Magick (Strange Folk), new at No. 5. Kula Shaker previously cracked the U.K. top 10 with 1996’s leader K and 1999’s Peasants, Pigs and Astronauts (No. 9).
Finally, Scottish singer and songwriter Dylan John Thomas is targeting a top 10 entry with his self-titled debut album. Dylan John Thomas (via Ignition) is set to enter the chart at No. 8.
All when will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published late Friday, Feb. 9.