In a remarkable comeback, Coldplay has claimed their first No. 1 album in over a decade with the release of “Moon Music.” The eco-conscious LP debuted on the Billboard 200 with an impressive 120,000 equivalent album units sold, 106,000 of which came from traditional album sales, according to data from Luminate.
“Moon Music” is the band’s 10th studio album and marks their highest opening week in the U.S. since 2015’s “A Head Full Of Dreams.” It’s also their first time topping the Billboard 200 since 2014’s “Ghost Stories.” This latest release not only achieved significant sales but also became the best opening week for a UK artist in 2024, outselling the entire UK Top 40 album chart combined. The achievement is particularly notable as it’s the best performance by a group since One Direction in 2013.
Phil Harvey, Coldplay’s manager, expressed gratitude for the success, saying, “To achieve this in the midst of a record-breaking stadium tour makes it all the more impressive.” He extended thanks to the band’s dedicated team and collaborators, anticipating a lengthy promotional campaign ahead as Coldplay gears up for their third summer of sold-out stadium shows in the U.S. next year.
The sustainable approach behind “Moon Music” is just as captivating as its chart success. The album was released on 140g EcoRecord rPET LPs, crafted from nine recycled PET plastic bottles. In a unique collaboration with The Ocean Cleanup, they introduced the “Notebook Edition LP,” which features 70% river plastic collected from the Rio Las Vacas in Guatemala. Even the standard CD editions broke new ground as the first-ever EcoCDs, made from 90% recycled materials.
In this week’s Billboard 200, Coldplay is the only new entry in the Top 10, with Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” following closely at No. 2 with 93,000 equivalent units after a four-week reign at the top. Chappell Roan’s “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” sits at No. 3, while Morgan Wallen’s “One Thing at a Time” and Billie Eilish’s “Hit Me Hard and Soft” round out the top five.
Meanwhile, on the Billboard Hot 100, Shaboozey’s infectious hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” has made waves, spending an impressive 14 weeks at No. 1, solidifying its status as the longest-running hit of the year. The track has sold nearly 6 million units, including 407,000 units as of October 10, showcasing its immense popularity. It leads the chart with a total of 5.9 million units when factoring in streaming, outpacing Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.”
With Coldplay’s chart-topping return and Shaboozey breaking records, it’s an exciting time for music lovers!
