The Lathums battle Doves for UK's Number 1 album

Editor Stephen Hill  3rd March 2025

It’s a fresh new week for the charts, and an intense battle for the UK’s Number 1 album is underway. Currently, fewer than 500 chart units separate The Lathums and Doves in the race to claim the top spot on the Official Albums Chart.  

At the midweek mark, The Lathums are leading with their album *Matter Does Not Define*, poised to secure their third consecutive UK Number 1 album, following the successes of 2021’s *How Beautiful Life Can Be* and 2023’s *From Nothing To A Little Bit More*.  Doves are making a strong challenge from close behind. 

This renowned indie-rock trio from Cheshire has just unleashed their first album in five years, *Constellations For The Lonely*. They have previously dominated the charts with three UK Number 1 albums: 2002’s *The Last Broadcast*, 2005’s *Some Cities*, and 2020’s *The Universal Want*. 

Their 2009 LP, *Kingdom of Rust*, also reached an impressive Number 2.  Brighton metalcore giants Architects are solidly positioned for their second Top 10 LP with *The Sky, The Earth and All Between*, currently sitting at Number 3. Meanwhile, Britpop legends Oasis are set to re-enter the Top 5 with their 2000 chart-topper *Standing on the Shoulders of Giants*, thanks to a 25th-anniversary vinyl release, 

which is now at Number 4.  Bradley Simpson, the frontman of The Vamps, is on the verge of achieving his first Top 10 LP as a solo artist with *The Panic Years*, which is in a strong position for a big debut at Number 6.  

Following a triumphant performance at the BRIT Awards and the release of her album on vinyl, Lola Young’s second album, *This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway*, is set to make its first Top 10 appearance at Number 8. Her breakthrough LP, which includes her first Number 1 single, *Messy*, previously peaked at Number 38.  LISA is preparing for a Top 10 entry with her debut solo studio album, *Alter Ego*, currently at Number 10. 

Featuring collaborations with Future, Megan Thee Stallion, and Rosalía, this album will mark the second Top 10 album by a BLACKPINK member, following ROSÉ’s *rosie*, which reached Number 4.  Teddy Swims is gaining momentum with his two-part debut album, *I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy*. Part 2 has risen 17 places to Number 18, while Part 1 has surged 20 places to Number 23.  

Rising Manchester poet and producer Antony Szmierek is set to break into the Top 40 with his debut album, *Service Station at the End of the Universe*, positioned at Number 29.  Finally, Bon Jovi’s breakthrough album from 1986, *Slippery When Wet*, is on track to make a triumphant re-entry into the Top 40, thanks to a 30th-anniversary re-issue featuring a unique water-filled vinyl. This iconic album previously peaked at Number 6 in the UK and includes formidable hits like *You Give Love A Bad Name*, *Livin’ On A Prayer* (which reached Number 4), and *Wanted Dead Or Alive*. The competition is heating up, and the charts this week are anyone's game