YOUR TOP 15: The battle for bragging rights on next week’s HITS Top 50 Albums Chart starts at the top and continues through the ranks, including such intriguing matchups as Miranda Lambert vs. Willie Nelson and Coldplay vs. Black Keys. Here's how the combatants are lining up heading into the weekend:
1.
Lana Del Rey (Interscope) 180-190k
2.
Sam Smith (Capitol) 150-160k
3.
Linkin Park (Warner Bros.) 100-110k
4.
Frozen (Walt Disney) 40-45k
5.
Miranda Lambert (RCA Nashville) 35-40k
6.
Willie Nelson (Legacy) 35-40k
7.
Jack White (Third Man/Columbia) 28-32k
8.
Jennifer Lopez (Capitol) 28-32k
9.
Now 50 (NOW) 27-30k
10.
Deadmau5 (Mau5trap/Astralwerks) 27-30k
11.
Brantley Gilbert (Valory) 25-27k
12.
Coldplay (Parlophone) 23-25k
13.
The Black Keys (Nonesuch/Warner Bros.) 22-24k
14.
Fault In Our Stars (Atlantic) 21-23k
15.
Michael Jackson (Epic) 16-18k
In other news, we've decided that we're huge football fans...and not just because the World Cup gives us the excuse to drink all day. Touchdown!
(6/19p)
LANA V. SAM: THE CHART RACE HEATS UP—UPDATE: According to the latest retail reports on Thursday morning, Del Rey’s album is on track to finish in the neighborhood of 180-190k, while we’re presently projecting a total in the 150-160k range for Smith, though this is not an exact science, and the picture could certainly change between now and Sunday. (6/19p)
YOUR NEW RELEASES: With one day under their belts, we think that Lana Del Rey will come out with the gold on next week's album chart for Ultraviolence, but Sam Smith is closing the gap with In the Lonely Hour. We're certain, however, that Linkin Park will snag the bronze.
Lana Del Rey (Interscope) 170-190k
Sam Smith (Capitol) 140-160k
Linkin Park (Warner Bros.) 100-110k
Willie Nelson (Legacy) 35-40k
Jennifer Lopez (Capitol) 30-35k
Deadmau5 (Mau5trap/Astralwerks) 25-30k
Tiesto (Casablanca/Republic) 12-15k
We feel quite comforted and acknowledged this week, as we generally relate strongly to ultraviolence, loneliness and hunting.
(6/18p)
CAVEAT LECTOR: Early, early reads in advance of next week's three-way chart battle have Interscope's Lana Del Rey at 175-200k, Capitol's Sam Smith at 140-160k and Warner Bros.' Linkin Park at 110-120k. Take these with the usual grains of salt and stand by for further updates.
(6/17p) 
maybe we will have 3 100k+ openers 
