It’s tight, and it’s early days, but the members of the Smile can afford a grin. The Radiohead spin-off leads the midweek U.K. chart with Wall Of Eyes (XL Recordings), their sophomore album.
There’s not much in it. Just 200 combined units separate Wall of Eyes from the second-placed album on the Official Chart Update, the Reytons’ Ballad of a Bystander (via The Reytons).
Comprised of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood, with Sons of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner, the Smile will nab a second U.K. top 10, following their 2022 debut A Light For Attracting Attention, which peaked at No. 5.
Radiohead knows more than most about life at the chart penthouse. The alternative rock legends have led the Official U.K. Albums Chart with six titles: OK Computer (from 1997), Kid A (2000), Amnesiac (2001), Hail to the Thief (2003), In Rainbows (2008) and A Moon Shaped Pool (2016).
The Reytons have chart form of their own. The Rotherham, England indie-rock band topped the chart last year with What’s Rock and Roll?
Wall of Eyes and Ballad of a Bystander lead an all-new top seven on the chart blast, as James Arthur sets his sights on a fifth U.K. top 10 appearance with Bitter Sweet Love (Columbia), on track for a No. 3 debut.
Rounding out the top five on the chart blast is Tom Odell’s Black Friday (No. 4 via Urok) and Future Islands People Who Aren’t There Anymore (No. 5 via 4AD), while new entries from Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes (Dark Rainbow at No. 6 via International Death Cult), New Model Army (Unbroken at No. 7 via Ear Music) and Gruff Rhys (Sadness Sets Me Free at No. 9 via Rough Trade) are heading for top 10 debuts.
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published Friday, Feb. 2.