Billie Eilish Bolts UK Chart With 'Hit Me Hard And Soft'

Billie Eilish won't win the UK chart crown.

Based on sales and streaming data recorded by Official chart companyEilish's latest LP Hit with hard and soft (Interscope) outsells the rest of the top 5 combined.

It would be Eilish's third consecutive No.1 album. Her debut When we all fall asleep, where do we go? bowed at No. 1 in 2019 and stayed there for three weeks, while Happier than ever opened at the summit in 2021, where a week was recorded.

In a distant second place on the chart blast is Zayn's Room under the stairs (Republic Records), his fourth solo album and first in eight years. It is set to be the former One Direction singer's second UK solo album, following his 2016 chart debut My mind.

Taylor Swift's former chart topper Department of Tormented Poets (EMI) is predicted to complete the podium, falling 2-3.

Meanwhile, Guns'N'Roses frontman Slash could make a UK top 5 debut with his all-star compilation Orgy Of The Damned (Gibson), new at No.4 on Official Update Card. The guitar hero previously cracked the top 10 with three solo albums with Miles Kennedy — 2014's World On Fire (No. 7), 2018's Living The Dream (No. 4) and 2022's 4 (No. 5 ).

Portishead singer Beth Gibbons enters the top 10 with Lives Outgrown (Domino Recordings), her first solo record. It's new at No. 5 on the blast chart. As a member of Bristol, England electronica act Portishead, Gibbons has three UK top 10s.

Also on track for a top 10 spot are Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band, with Loophole (Modern Uranus). It is set to reach No.6, for Liverpool, England's second appearance in the top 10 since 2022 Dear Scott reached No. 6.

New releases from Kerry King (From Hell I Rise at No. 15 on Reigning Phoenix Music), Jack Savoretti (Miss Italy at No. 16 on Universal Music Italia), Bright Light Bright Light (Enjoy Youth at No. 23 via YSKWN), Ferocious Dog (Kleptocracy at No. 35 via Graphite), New Kids On The Block (Still Kids at No. 37 via BMG) and Clavish (Chapter 16 at No. 38 via Polydor) could crack the top 40.

All will be revealed when the Official Chart is released late Friday, May 24.