Lorde Bags First U.K. No. 1 Album With ‘Virgin’

Lorde has earned her first U.K. No. 1 LP as Virgin tops the Official Albums Chart dated July 4.

Her fourth studio album surpasses her previous records to hit the top spot, beating 2013’s Pure Heroine (No. 4), 2017’s Melodrama (No. 5) and 2021 LP Solar Power (No. 2).

Speaking to the Official Charts Company, Lorde says, “I cannot believe that I’ve got Number 1 in the U.K.! This is absolutely insane. I felt so much love from the U.K. on Virgin. I cannot thank you enough and I cannot wait to see you on the tour very, very soon. Sending all my love. Love you guys so much!”

The New Zealand-born star appeared at Glastonbury last weekend (June 27) with a surprise set to open the festival, performing Virgin in full. Later this year, she will hit the U.K and Ireland for an arena tour, including a stop at London’s 20,000-capacity O2 Arena.

Bruce Springsteen earns his 25th top 10 LP with epic boxset Tracks II: The Lost Albums, which features 82 previously-unheard tracks from the period spanning 1983 to 2018. 

Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet, meanwhile, breaks a long-standing record as it closes the week at No. 2. At 45 weeks, her LP boasts the longest consecutive top five streak for a solo artist LP in Official Albums Chart history, surpassing Elvis Presley’s G.I. Blues and its 44-week run.

Ed Sheeran’s +–=÷× (Tour Collection) finishes at No. 4, while Rod Stewart experiences a post-Glasto boost for his career-spanning Ultimate Hits collection (No. 5). Stewart performed in the Legend’s slot on the Pyramid Stage last Sunday (June 29) and was joined by former Small Face bandmate Ronnie Wood during his performance.