Michael Jackson continues his renewed dominance on the U.K. charts, as The Essential Michael Jackson spends a second consecutive week at No. 1 on the Official Albums Chart dated May 15.
The greatest-hits collection leads the tally ahead of Westlife’s new compilation 25 – The Ultimate Collection, which debuts at No. 2 after leading the midweek race earlier in the week. The hit-packed release becomes the Irish boyband’s 15th top 10 LP in the U.K.
Renewed interest in Jackson’s catalogue follows the blockbuster Michael biopic, which has fueled strong streaming and physical sales across the singer’s discography in recent weeks. The Essential returned to No. 1 for the first time in 17 years on the previous chart frame (May 8) and now extends its reign atop the summit.
Elsewhere, Noah Kahan’s The Great Divide rises one spot to No. 3, while Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving follows at No. 4. Jackson also places another title inside the top five, as 1982 classic Thriller climbs to No. 5.
Sheffield indie favorites Reverend and The Makers return to the top 10 as Is This How Happiness Feels? debuts at No. 7. The record becomes the band’s third U.K. Top 10 entry, following 2007 breakthrough The State of Things and 2023 release Heatwave in the Cold North. Speaking exclusively to the Official Charts Company, frontman Jon McClure said: “Number 1 Official Independent album and a third Top Ten. Enjoying being a chart veteran!”
Harry Styles’ former chart-topper Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally. soars back into the chart (No. 9) again in anticipation of his Together, Together Tour, which kicks off this weekend in Amsterdam.
Katy Perry and her compilation The One That Got the Plays, containing some of the superstar’s greatest hits, comes in at No. 13. 2010 pop opus Teenage Dream also scales three spots in the process (No. 36). Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft also returns to the top 40, placing at No. 32.
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