Taylor Swift’s new album hits 304,000 units in three days, outpacing the tortured poets department
Taylor Swift has achieved the biggest opening week of 2025 so far, as her new album The Life of a Showgirl races toward becoming her 14th UK Number 1.
Just three days after its release on Friday, the album has already amassed an astonishing 304,000 chart units, surpassing the first-week total of her previous record-breaking release The Tortured Poets Department, which debuted with 270,000 units last year.
The new milestone marks another chapter in Swift’s historic run. Earlier this year, the 35-year-old singer surpassed Madonna to become the female artist with the most UK Number 1 albums, a record she looks set to extend even further with The Life of a Showgirl.
The album’s explosive start also puts Swift in contention for another extraordinary double achievement — topping both the Official Albums Chart and Official Singles Chart simultaneously, something achieved only last week by Olivia Dean.
Industry observers say the release could set a new all-time record for Swift in the UK if the momentum continues through Friday’s chart announcement.
Swift’s dominance comes amid a strong week for British music legends and rising acts alike. Oasis, celebrating the 30th anniversary of (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, have surged nine places midweek to reach the Number 2 spot.
James Morrison is also enjoying a resurgence, with his latest album Fight Another Day on track to secure his highest chart position since 2011’s The Awakening, currently sitting at Number 4. The release would mark Morrison’s fourth Top 5 album to date.
Meanwhile, Scottish band Idlewild are poised to land their best chart result in more than two decades, as their self-titled eleventh studio album holds at Number 6. Northern Irish rock veterans Ash follow closely behind at Number 7 with Ad Astra, potentially earning their sixth Top 10 album.
Elsewhere in the Top 10, Essex duo Good Neighbours — made up of Oli Fox and Scott Verrill — are enjoying a breakout moment as their debut album Blue Sky Mentality debuts at Number 9, following viral success with their 2024 hit Home.
Further down the midweek charts, Starsailor’s With Strings: Live from Liverpool looks set to become their highest-charting record in nearly 20 years, currently sitting at Number 13. Irish DJ and producer KETTAMA could also earn his first-ever UK Albums Chart entry, debuting at Number 16 with Archangel.
English alternative rock band Deaf Havana may secure a fourth Top 20 appearance with We’re Never Getting Out, which starts the week at Number 19.
Meanwhile, Charli XCX’s 2024 album BRAT has seen renewed attention and a nine-place surge midweek amid online speculation that Swift’s new track Actually Romantic is a pointed response to Charli’s Sympathy Is a Knife. Neither artist has commented on the rumours, but the chatter has helped reignite interest in both albums.
Longtime chart favourite Daniel O’Donnell continues to extend his prolific run with Now and Then, which could become his 44th UK Top 40 album.
Teddy Swims also climbs nine spots with I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy, buoyed by the announcement of his major 2026 UK and Ireland tour. Brooklyn-based trio Say She She are on track for their first UK chart entry with Cut & Rewind, while North London singer-songwriter Louis Dunford rounds off the midweek Top 40 with the deluxe edition of his debut album Be Lucky.For now, however, the spotlight remains firmly on Taylor Swift. With record-breaking sales and critical acclaim already rolling in, The Life of a Showgirl looks set to cement her status as the most dominant artist of 2025 — and possibly of her generation