One Direction star Niall Horan's debut solo album Flicker dropped on October 20 and instantly dashes to the top of iTunes rankings in 33 countries - but Horan doesn't have things all his own way, as Pink's Beautiful Trauma, now a week old, continues to dominate in 31 countries.
Pink's seventh album, Beautiful Trauma also secured its first clutch of official chart placings today, and instantly becomes her fourth No.1 in New Zealand, her second in Ireland, The Netherlands and The UK and her first in Flanders. It also debuts at No.2 in Germany and Wallonia, No.4 in Sweden, No.5 in Italy and No.32 in Japan.
Former Oasis and Beady Eye frontman Liam Gallagher's introductory solo album, As You Were secured No.1 debuts in Ireland and The UK last week, while opening at No.4 in Italy, No.10 in Japan, No.13 in Flanders and New Zealand, No.14 in Germany, No.15 in The Netherlands, No.21 in Wallonia and No.23 in Sweden. It is in decline in all of these territories, but now adds debuts in Croatia (No.3), Argentina (No.4), Spain (No.4), Switzerland (No.4), Australia (No.9), Hungary (No.16), Finland (No.22), France (No.24), Canada (No.28), The USA (No.30), Slovakia (No.35), South Korea (No.37) and The Czech Republic (No.40).
We have itemised former Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour's concert set Live At Pompeii's impressive assault on the globe's album charts in the last fortnight, which saw it make the Top 10 in 16 countries, and achieve chart status in a further eight. It's not over yet - although falling 1-10 in The Czech Republic, it debuts at No.2 in Portugal and No.40 in New Zealand.
Former Led Zeppelin linchpin Robert Plant's 11th solo album, Carry Fire is off and running, debuting at No.3 in The UK, No.7 in Ireland and New Zealand, No.12 in Wallonia and Sweden, No.17 in Flanders, No.23 in Italy and No.29 in The Netherlands. But its best performance arguably comes in Germany where, despite the nation's ongoing appreciation of metal in all its hues, Led Zeppelin were less successful than in any other major territory, with just two No.1 albums - Led Zeppelin II in 1970, and the 2012 live set, Celebration Day. Plant's solo career has similarly been lower key in Germany - his international smash single Big Log didn't chart there, and his highest charting album hitherto was Lullaby And...The Ceaseless Roar, which got to No.10 in 2014. Carry Fire now matches that.
Beck has proved an eclectic and regular feature of the world's chart for more than 20 years, and the 47 year old Californian's 13th studio album, Colors, makes a decent splash this week, opening at No.5 in The UK, No.6 in Ireland, No.8 in New Zealand, No.13 in Flanders and Japan, No.14 in The Netherlands, No.32 in Germany and Wallonia and No.36 in Italy.
