Tame Impala trumps Justin Bieber to land #1 album
Tame Impala has just claimed a second chart-topping album.
In a nailbiting chart battle between international superstar Justin Bieber and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Parker, Aussie-made wins.
Parker’s The Slow Rush arrived at #1 on the ARIA Albums Chart this week while Bieber’s Changes debuted at #2, marking their first album release in five years.
It’s the second album by an Aussie act to reach the summit this year after Dune Rats (BMG) leapfrogged Eminem (#3) and Harry Styles (#5) with Hurry Up And Wait.
Parker’s last #1 album was in 2015 with the ARIA Awards-winning Currents, injecting some meaning behind the title of this week’s victory.
And that triumph extends to his label cohort from Island Records Australia, including Mike Taylor, Nicole Richards and Vaughn McManus.
On hearing the news of his chart debut, Parker shared a classic Kevin declaration: “Thank you Australia… I love yous.” And we love you, mate.
Between Tame Impala albums, Parker contributed to Lady Gaga’s Joanne, Kanye West’s ye and Travis Scott’s Astroworld. He also co-produced Pond’s The Weather and Tasmania.
The Slow Rush and Changes are the only LPs to secure a Top 50 debut this week.
It was a total fizzer over in the UK, however.
Bieber bounced ahead of Tame Impala after mid-week data put Parker ahead to land #1 and #2 respectively. In the end, there were only 1,200 chart sales separating them.
Elsewhere on the ARIA Albums Chart this week, Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody (The Original Soundtrack) got a boost (#7) following their national tour and benefit concert appearance.
In its 40th week in the Top 50, Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi’s debut Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent moved up four spots to #12.