Kylie Minogue Cranks Up the Tension with 10th U.K. No. 1 Album in Her Sights

There’s no stopping Kylie Minogue, with her latest album, Tension II (via BMG), on track to become her landmark 10th U.K. No. 1 album on the Official Albums Chart, according to their latest midweek blast.

After just 48 hours of sales, the album has moved over 28,800 chart units, placing it far ahead of its nearest competitor by more than 2:1. If she secures the top spot, this will mark yet another major milestone for the Australian pop star, whose previous album, Tension (also via BMG), also topped the U.K Chart in 2023.

More from Billboard

• Cairokee's Global Roar: The Pioneering Arabic Rock-Pop Band's Rise to the Billboard Arabia Charts and International Fame

• One Direction & Liam Payne Streams and Sales Surge After Star's Death

• Naoshi Fujikura on 10 Years as President of Universal Music Japan & Success of Mrs. GREEN APPLE: Interview

It comes after the singing legend announced the North American leg of her tour in support of the new album, which is slated to kick off on March 29 with a gig at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and take the “Lights Camera Action” singer to Montreal, Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, Austin, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver and Denver before winding down with a May 2 show at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

The midweek blast also sees British singer-songwriter Rag’n’Bone Man’s soulful third album What Do You Believe In? (Columbia) aiming for a No. 2 debut, which would follow on from the success of Human and Life By Misadventure (Columbia).

Another exciting new entry comes from Australian dance group Confidence Man, whose third record 3AM (LA LA LA) (via HAOS/Polydor Records/I OH YOU Records) is eyeing a Top 5 debut. The band’s infectious sound is already a festival favorite, and their climb to No. 4 on the midweek charts suggests they could make their Official Albums Chart debut in a major way.

National Album Day has sparked a resurgence for some of Britain’s biggest musical legends. Oasis’s 1994 classic Definitely Maybe (via Creation Records) is making a triumphant return, set to break back into the Top 10. Suede’s Dog Man Star (Nude Records), The Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night (Parlophone), and Take That’s Everything Changes (RCA) are all experiencing a midweek surge in the wake of the celebration.

In a nostalgic twist, Bronski Beat’s groundbreaking album The Age of Consent (via London Records) could return to the Top 10 for the first time in nearly 40 years, following its 40th anniversary reissue. Originally peaking at No. 4 in 1984, this synth-pop classic is making waves once again.

Finally, Gracie Abrams’ The Secret of Us (via Interscope) has soared back into the Top 10 after the release of its deluxe edition, climbing an impressive 26 spots to land at No. 10 in the midweek update.

One Direction fans are also making their voices heard in the charts as they continue to mourn the passing of Liam Payne. All five of the band’s studio albums are set to re-enter the Top 40, a poignant tribute to their lasting impact on pop music.

Listen to Kylie Minogue’s Tension II below.

Best of Billboard

• Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1

• Four Decades of 'Madonna': A Look Back at the Queen of Pop's Debut Album on the Charts

• Chart Rewind: In 1990, Madonna Was in 'Vogue' Atop the Hot 100

Sign up for Billboard's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.