Billboard 200: The Chainsmokers Takes ‘Memories’ to No. 1

The Chainsmokers takes ‘Memories…Do Not Open’ to no. 1 on the Billboard 200.  Pentatonix, Joey Bada$$, and Father John Misty also land in the top 10. 

Alex Pall and Drew Taggart – The Chainsmokers – had a big week on the Billboard 200.  Despite tepid reviews for Memories…Do Not Open, the album debuts robustly at no. 1, moving 221,000 units according to Billboard.  Of those 221,000 units, about 75% were pure sales.  Those pure sales – still six figures – are exceptional for a dance album.

https://youtu.be/uzmVLWXFSvI

Besides the arrival of The Chainsmokers, some more newbies take over the top 10 this week.  Pentatonix always seems reliable for a top-10 album, and PTX Vol. IV: Classics is no exception.  The a cappella standout start at no. 4 moving 54,000 units (nearly 93% pure sales). Joey Bada$$ gets in on the action with ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ debuting at no. 5 with 51,000 units (only about 55% pure sales).

Father John Misty also gets into the top 10 spirit.  Pure Comedy earns the no. 10 spot, moving a respectable 35,000 units.  No, 35,000 units isn’t “the second coming,” but for an indie album and an artist with a cult-like following, it’s exceptional.  Most of those 35,000 units –  ~94% – were pure sales.  Go, Josh Tillman!

As for the rest of the top 10, there are plenty of reliable names.  Drake (More Life) only dipped one spot to no. 2.  The numbers are still on-point.  Ed Sheeran (÷) also dropped just one spot to no. 3.  While he doesn’t have quite the robust support the newer More Life does, he’s still putting in work.   The remaining spots belong to the likes of Bruno Mars (24K Magic), a tumble by Kodak Black (Painting Pictures drops to no. 8), and Future (Future).

Who’s got next on the Billboard 200? Kendrick Lamar is a shoe-in for the no. 1 spot with his awesome new album, DAMN.  John Mayer (The Search for Everything) and compilation The Fate of the Furious: The Album should also perform well.  Drake and Ed Sheeran will remain in the mix, but their chart-topping days seem over, at least with this week being top-heavy.

Photo Credit: Columbia