In which a whole bunch of records hit ten weeks on chart and get whacked by the chart rules on older hits, thus allowing… well, some climbers, because there’s still not a huge amount going on in terms of new releases.

1. Tones & I – “Dance Monkey”

Three weeks and counting. This is over ten weeks old as well, by the way, but it’s still growing, so it’s not in danger of being hit by the chart rules just yet. “Ride It” by Regard climbs 3-2, and…

3. Harry Styles – “Lights Up”

Remember Harry Styles? One Direction? Earmarked to be the breakout solo star? And then…. er…

To put it in context: Zayn Malik has had seven top 40 hits, including a number one. Niall Horan has had three (the last in 2017). Liam Payne has had six. Louis Tomlinson has had three. And Harry Styles has had… one, “Sign of the Times”. It managed a week at number one in 2017 and, to be fair, it spent seven weeks in the top ten. The self-titled parent album got an album at number one as well. But it didn’t get any other singles into the top 40 – two more were released, and they made no headway.

This is the lead single from album two. As before, Harry is the Serious Artist One. It’s not bad, it certainly stands out in the current chart as an AOR song. But we’re still waiting for the impact his solo career was predicted to make.

“Circles” by Post Malone, which has been meandering around the top 10 for six weeks, reaches a new peak of 4. “Outnumbered” by Dermot Kennedy is up 8-6, and “South of the Border” by Ed Sheeran featuring Camila Cabello & Cardi B predictably vaults 24-7 into the top 10. “Be Honest” by Jorja Smith featuring Burna Boy climbs 11-8 to give Smith her first top ten hit, two years after her chart debut. “Bruises” by Lewis Capaldi climbs 16-9 to enter the top 10, thanks to the new versions being promoted as singles – the original version of the track charted months ago. “Post Malone” by Sam Feldt featuring Rani edges into the top 10 at 10 as well.

“Buss Down” by Aitch featuring Ziezie climbs 20-11, “Professor X” by Dave is up 18-12, “Both” by Headie One is up 17-13 – like I say, a lot of this is just rushing to fill the void left by records being downweighted under the chart rules. More notably,“God is a Dancer” by Tiesto & Mabel climbs 32-15, and “Turn Me On” by Riton & Oliver Heldens featuring Vula moves 29-16.

17. Sidhu Moose Wala x MIST x Steel Banglez x Stefflon Don – “47”

Unusual international collaboration. Mist, Steel Banglez and Stefflon Don are all from the world of UK rap, Sidhu Moose Wala is an Indian star. The result sounds… well, it’s pretty much the obvious route, to be honest. The title is “47” as in “AK”, if you hadn’t guessed.

19. Maroon 5 – “Memories”

This has been out for several weeks, but the video’s just come out. By Maroon 5 standards, this is pretty decent.

“Liar” by Camila Cabello, which looked to have stalled in the lower 30s, has finally taken off, and climbs 27-21 this week. “Good as Hell” by Lizzo is up 28-22.

33. Meduza, Becky Hill & Goodboys – “Lose Control”

The follow up to “Piece of Your Heart”, which reached number 2 for Meduza (the producers) and Goodboys (the singers) back in the spring. It’s a classic example of cloning the hit for the follow-up, with diminishing returns.

And “Graveyard” by Halsey climbs 38-36!

On the album chart…

1. Elbow – “Giants of All Sizes”

Elbow’s eighth studio album, and their third consecutive number one. The video above is way better than I expected. After that, it’s a long way down to…

18. Freddie Mercury – “Never Boring”

A box set of his solo work. The remix above – and yes, both versions are on the collection – was his only number 1, two years after his death.

19. Babymetal – “Metal Galaxy”

The second UK-charting album from the improbable J-pop/metal crossover act, who are much better than the gimmicky concept might suggest.

22. Lil Tjay – “True 2 Myself”

Debut album. He’s a rapper from the Bronx, and yes, that’s how he capitalises his name.

Unusually, “Get To Know” by Becky Hill, which entered at 33 two weeks ago and dropped straight out of the top 40, rebounds to 24. Don’t ask me.

31. Gary Numan & Tubeway Army – “Replicas – The First Recordings”
36. Gary Numan – “The Pleasure Principle – The First Recordings”

Basically the demos for Numan’s first two albums. There are no videos to promote this album (as far as I can find, so that’s the finished version of “Cars” above – number 1 in 1979.

34. Big Thief – “Two Hands”

Brooklyn indie band – this is their fourth album, but the first to make the UK albums top 40. The previous one, “UFOF”, only came out in May, and got to 41; they’re kind of companion pieces.