After a week where only two albums debuted in the top 10 on the Billboard 200, next week should provide a healthy influx of new releases to the region.
The new Billboard 200 chart’s top 10 will be revealed on the morning of Aug. 28.
John Mayer’s just-released “Paradise Valley” is aiming to bow at No. 2 next week, while Luke Bryan’s current No. 1, “Crash My Party,” will likely hold atop the list. Industry sources suggest “Paradise Valley” might sell around 150,000 copies by the end of the tracking week on Aug. 25. Bryan’s set could sell between 160,000 and 170,000 in its second week.
This past week, Bryan’s album debuted at No. 1 with 528,000 copies sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
After Mayer, it looks like the next-largest arrival will be R&B supergroup TGT with its “Three Kings” album. The group — comprising Tyrese, Ginuwine and Tank — is on course to sell about 65,000 and may bow at No. 3. Two singles from the album have charted so far on the Adult R&B airplay chart: “Sex Never Felt Better” (No. 13 in May) and current hit “I Need” (No. 16 with a bullet this week).
Combined, the three members of TGT have notched nine top 10 albums on their own. Ginuwine has claimed four top 10s, while Tyrese and Tank have tallied two and three, respectively.
Veteran singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett is set to score his tenth top 10 album, as “Songs From St. Somewhere” should bow in the top five next week. It is on course to sell around 55,000. He last visited the top 10 with 2010’s “Encores,” which debuted and peaked at No. 7.
Next up, rapper Earl Sweatshirt could sell around 55,000 copies of his debut studio set, “Doris.” The Odd Future member will likely also score a No. 1 bow on the Top Rap Albums chart.
On SoundScan’s Building chart (below), Mayer and Bryan are Nos. 1 and 2, respectively. The Building tally is a precursor to the final Billboard 200 ranking, reflecting the first four days (Monday through Thursday) of SoundScan’s tracking week as reported by six major merchants.
As for the rest of the top 10: TGT, Earl Sweatshirt and Buffett are at Nos. 3-5, while A$AP Ferg’s debut “Trap Lord” is No. 6. Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” sits at No. 7, while Ben Rector’s new “Walking In Between” is No. 8. The “Now 47” compilation is No. 9, while the “Teen Beach Movie” soundtrack closes out the top 10 at No. 10.
