UK Album Charts Week 48: Physical Media Trends
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Today, I’m delving into the fascinating world of physical media trends, a subject close to my heart. This isn’t just about the music I pick or the bands I highlight; it’s about observing the shifts and movements in the physical media market, particularly in the context of the UK album charts for Week 48.
Take That has clinched the number one spot with their album sales totaling 116,163 units. What’s intriguing here is the breakdown between CDs and vinyl. Taylor Swift, with eight albums in the top 30 and two just outside, and the Rolling Stones, moving up from fourth to third, also catch our attention.
The physical sales of Take That’s album, ‘This Life,’ are predominantly CDs, with 107,574 units sold compared to just 4,905 vinyl albums. This disparity, I believe, is not indicative of a decline in vinyl popularity but rather reflects the demographic of Take That’s fan base, which grew up in the CD era. The cassette sales, surprisingly, stand at 301 units, alongside 1,987 downloads and only 1,396 streams. It seems the fans were after a tangible, physical connection with the album.
Moving on, Taylor Swift holds the second spot with 13,767 sales, while the Rolling Stones at number three have sold 8,674 copies. It’s fascinating to see legacy acts like Fleetwood Mac, Queen, and Elton John maintaining a steady presence in the top 40.
The overall physical sales have seen a 50% increase from the previous week, accounting for 23.6% of the total album market. This surge, typically seen around Christmas, suggests a growing preference for physical formats as gifts.
Focusing on the rock genre, the Official Record Store Top 20, based solely on physical sales in independent shops, sees Kylie Minogue at the top. However, from a rock perspective, Ultravox’s ‘Quartet’ is at number three, followed by U2, Linkin Park, Kate Bush, The Doors, The Almighty, and The Faces, among others.
This segment highlights the enduring appeal of physical media, especially in the rock genre. It’s a testament to the fact that despite the digital age, there’s something irreplaceable about holding a physical album in your hands.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
