Taylor Swift has sparked a fierce chart battle with Fontaines D.C. for the coveted number one album slot by bringing forward the CD release of her latest album Folklore.
The Irish post-punk five-piece looked on course to hit their first UK Number One this week with the critically acclaimed new album A Hero’s Death, released via indie label Partisan Records.
Swift, who was due to headline this year’s cancelled Glastonbury Festival, has enjoyed success with her eighth record after it was given a surprise digital release in July, topping the charts last Friday.
But she has now brought forward the CD release to August 4, meaning Fontaines D.C.’s chances at grabbing the top slot have taken a hit.
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Fontaines D.C.’s effort had sold 15,000 records at the beginning of the week, according to Music Week.
** Read our five star review of Fontaines D.C.’s sold out Brixton Academy show here **
The publication added: “The Official Charts Company confirmed that shipments of Folklore pre-orders this week will be eligible for the current chart week, along with sales in stores.
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“That suddenly gives Swift an immediate physical boost in her battle to retain the No. 1 position, as she will no longer be relying on streaming and downloads to catch Fontaines D.C.”.
In May, Game of Thrones star Aidan Gillen, who plays Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish in the hit HBO show, appeared in the surreal video for the Dubliners’ A Hero’s Death.
A Hero’s Death is the follow-up to their Mercury Prize nominated debut album Dogrel.
A similar indie band vs pop giant battle unfolded earlier this year between Sports Team and Lady Gaga.
The Bad Romance singer’s album Chromatica managed to triumph the Brit newcomers’ debut Deep Down Happy by just 571 copies in June.