BTS are still the kings of Australia’s albums chart, as Arirang (via Virgin Music Group/Geffen) enters a second week at No. 1.
Arirang becomes BTS’ second album to score multiple weeks on top, ARIA reports. Map Of The Soul: 7 logged two weeks at No. 1 in 2020, while Map Of The Soul: Persona (in 2019) and Proof (2022) each landed at No. 1 for a single week.
The Australian legion of ARMY will get a chance to see their heroes next year when their world tour visits Melbourne (Feb. 12 and 13), and Sydney (Feb. 20 and 21).
The top new release belongs to Ye, the controversial hip-hop artist formerly known at Kanye West, whose independently-released new album Bully drops in at No. 3. Ye has now amassed seven top 10 solo albums: Graduation (No. 2 in 2007), My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (No. 6 in 2010), Yeezus (No. 1 in 2013), YE (No. 1 in 2018), Jesus Is King (No. 1 ion 2019), Donda (No. 1 in 2021) and now Bully.
Also, Watch The Throne with Jay-Z reached No. 2 in 2011, Kids See Ghosts with Kid Cudi peaked at No. 4 in 2018, Vultures 1 and 2 with Ty Dolla Sign topped the chart in 2024, six months apart. The rapper’s compilation album Cruel Summer peaked at No. 7 in 2012.
Melanie Martinez enjoys a hot start on the ARIA Albums Chart with Hades (Atlantic/Warner), new at No. 4. It’s the followup to 2023’s Portals, which went to No. 1 for a week. Previously, Martinez cracked the ARIA Top 40 in 2015 with Cry Baby (at No. 27) in 2019 with K-12 (No. 6).
British singer and songwriter Raye enjoys a career best ARIA Chart position with This Music May Contain Hope (Orchard), her sophomore album. It’s new No. 6. That easily eclipses the No. 97 best for the Londoner’s first album, My 21st Century Blues from 2023. The lead single “Where Is My Husband!” peaked at No. 3 earlier this year and sits at No. 9 on the latest chart, published Friday, April 3, while “Click Clack Symphony” featuring Hans Zimmer flies 87-42.
Swedish pop veteran Robyn also enjoys a career best chart result with Sexistential (RMT), her ninth studio album and first in eight years. It’s new No. 12. Until now, Robyn’s best performing album in these parts was her must recent LP, 2018’s Honey, which topped out at No. 20.
Six-time ARIA Award winning singer and songwriter Courtney Barnett returns to the chart, and the top 20, with Creature Of Habit (Virgin Music Group/Inertia), her fourth solo studio album. It’s new at No. 19. Creature Of Habit follows the Melbourne artist’s Sometimes I Sit And Think, Sometimes I Just Sit (No. 4 in 2015), Tell Me How You Really Feel (No. 2 in 2018) and Things Take Time, Take Time (No. 5 in 2021), while her collaborative album with Kurt Vile, Lotta Sea Lice, swam to No. 5 in 2017.
Over on the ARIA Singles Chart, Olivia Dean‘s unbroken streak at No. 1 with “Man I Need” (Universal) ends at 19 weeks. The English artist won’t lose any sleep over it, because she replaces herself at the top as “Rein Me In” (Dew Process/Universal), her duet with fellow Brit Sam Fender, lifts 2-1. It’s her second chart leading single, and Fender’s first.
Finally, Kevin Parker’s Tame Impala continues to climb the ARIA Singles Chart with “Dracula” (Columbia/Sony) up 7-4, for a new career high chart position. The single grew a new set of chart wings thanks to a remix featuring BLACKPINK’s Jennie, and a TikTok trend, on which the K-pop superstar happily joined in.
