Sir Elton John is on track to earn his 10th number one album in the official UK chart with Who Believes In Angels?
The record is a collaboration between the veteran musician, 78, and US songwriter Brandi Carlile.
The pair also worked with Sir Elton’s longtime writing partner, Bernie Taupin, and producer Andrew Watt.
Crocodile Rock singer Sir Elton last topped the UK albums chart in January with Diamonds, a greatest hits compilation.
The record went to number one in the album’s 374th week on chart, reaching the summit after limited edition releases on new formats, including cassette for the first time.
His other chart-topping albums are Don’t Shoot Me I’m The Only Piano Player, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Caribou, Elton John’s Greatest Hits, Sleeping With The Past, The Very Best Of Elton John, Good Morning To The Night and The Lockdown Sessions.
He has already had 10 number ones in the UK singles chart with songs including Are You Ready For Love and Merry Christmas, with Ed Sheeran.
This could become the first UK number one for Carlile, 43, who is known for songs including The Story and Damage Gets Done, with Hozier.
In October 2023, Sir Elton, Carlile, Watt and Taupin wrote and recorded the album from scratch in 20 days at Los Angeles’ Sunset Sound recording studio, where they were joined by musicians including Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and their former guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.
Cameras captured the recording sessions and the footage was turned into a short film.
The Grammy-winning stars debuted their new tracks to more than 2,000 people at a sold out London Palladium concert in March.
The duo performed songs and spoke about the recording process with Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy.
Reflecting on why he created the album, Sir Elton said: “She’s (Carlile) very well known in America.
“She’s not that well known in the United Kingdom or around the world.
“I wanted to make this album to be with the most fantastic artist and musician and songwriter, but I also wanted her to have the publicity and the chance for the rest of the world to see how great she is.”
On track for number two in the albums chart is Forever Howlong by rock band Black Country Road with Sabrina Carpenter’s Short N’ Sweet set to take the third spot.
Preacher’s Daughter by US artist Ethel Cain is set to re-enter at number four with Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine headed for number five.
The Official Charts Company has also announced that Taylor Swift’s 2022 album Midnights tops the company’s newly unveiled list of the best-selling vinyl releases of the past 10 years.
The chart-topping album sold more than 129,000 vinyl units to claim the top spot on the list, which has been compiled to mark the 10th birthday of the UK vinyl rundown.
The second biggest album of the past decade, on vinyl, is her 2024 record The Tortured Poets Department with Harry Styles’ third studio album, Harry’s House, in the third spot.
New pop albums accounted for seven out of 10 of the UK’s annual best-selling new releases on vinyl over the past decade, including releases from Swift, Adele, Kylie Minogue and Abba, according to the data.
