Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine (via Republic Records) enjoys the brightest possible start in the U.K., where it opens its account at No. 1.
The leader at the halfway mark, Eternal Sunshine is the U.S. pop star’s fifth U.K. chart-topper after 2016’s Dangerous Woman, 2018’s Sweetener, 2019’s thank u, next and 2020 LP Positions, a feat that places her equal with the likes of Celine Dion, Prince and Green Day, each with five leaders.
The only Grande titles to miss the U.K. chart throne are her 2013 debut Yours Truly (No. 7 peak) and her sophomore album from 2014, My Everything (No. 3). Eternal Sunshine was the best-seller on wax during the chart week, the Official Charts Company reports.
Meanwhile, British heavy metal juggernauts Judas Priest nab a new chart best with Invincible Shield (Columbia), their 19th studio album. That result eclipses the No. 4 peak for their 1980 collection British Steel.
Also scoring a new personal best in the U.K. is Bleachers, with their self-titled fourth studio album via Dirty Hit. Jack Antonoff’s New Jersey alternative rock act land at No. 5 with their new album, for Bleachers’ first U.K. chart appearance.
Leicester, England protest singer and songwriter Grace Petrie scores her own highest-charting album with Build Something Better ( Robots Need Home). It’s new at No. 28 for her second top 40 appearance, besting 2021’s Connectivity which peaked at No. 37.
It’s a glorious seventh top 40 appearance for British girl group Bananarama on the Official U.K. Albums Chart, published Marc. 15. Their career retrospective Glorious – The Ultimate Collection (Polydor/UMR) starts at No. 30.
Finally, Girls Aloud return to the top 40, at No. 35, following the re-issue of 2004 set What Will The Neighbours Say. The LP is packaged with five previously-unreleased cuts, including works featuring the vocals of late bandmate Sarah Harding. The group’s second studio, What Will The Neighbours Say peaked at No. 6 following its initial release. The surviving members of Girls Aloud will support the 20th anniversary release with an arena tour of the U.K. and Ireland.