It's that time again, where Music Times break down the difference between the Billboard 200 and who actually moved the albums. This week's crown belongs to Meghan Trainor of course, who came up just short of the 200,000 album mark with Title. As we mentioned yesterday with the 200 roundup, it's the biggest sales debut from a solo performer since Susan Boyle released her first album during 2009.
Taylor Swift gets bumped, at least temporarily, to no. 2 with 1989. This was the first week in the 12 that it's been on shelves where the album failed to break 100,000 in sales. Just three weeks ago she had just dropped below 200,000 for the first time. Swift may return to no. 1 yet.
The Album Charts keeps pace with the Billboard 200 for the next few places, as Kidz Bop 27 takes no. 3 (77,000 copies sold) and Ed Sheeran takes no. 4 with 37,000 copies of x sold. Kidz Bop had its highest sales total since Kidz Bop 23, thanks in part to songs from Trainor and Swift being featured on the newest set. Nicki Minaj settles as no. 5 with The Pinkprint, which sold 31,500 copies in its fifth week.
Nos. 6 and 7 were both new releases, respectively, as Mark Ronson debuts his Uptown Special to 31,000, narrowly edging Jazmine Sullivan, who sold just a few hundred less copies of her Reality Show. Whatever the totals, it marks a win for RCA records, which was responsible for both releases.
Sam Smith keeps his place in the Top 10 for now despite a stash of new releases, as In The Lonely Hour moved around 28,500 copies and takes the no. 8 spots. J. Cole also hangs on with Forest Hills Drive, which sold 27,000 copies and placed no. 9. The no. 10 spot goes to Guardians of The Galaxy Awesome Mix Vol. 1, which sold 25,500 copies, a large drop off from last week, when the album finished at no. 2.
