Hillsong Unexpectedly Disrupt Daniel Johns Vs Eurovision Chart Showdown

Talk about divine intervention — despite midweek figures for the ARIA Albums Chart indicating that it would be a hotly contested showdown for the top spot between resurgent Aussie artist Daniel Johns and the collective might of Eurovision, mega-church band Hillsong United has stormed to the #1 spot with new album Empires.

The unexpected entry sees Johns manage a still-impressive #2 outing for his debut solo album Talk (whose songs received their maiden live airing at the Sydney Opera House this week for Vivid LIVE), solidly ahead of his midweek competitor, Eurovision, which — as an incumbent entry — still completed a mighty leap up the charts from #53 to #4. For all the potential to move up the ladder it displayed earlier in the week, the Pitch Perfect 2 soundtrack stays stagnant at #3.

It's a strong debut for US rapper A$AP Rocky, however, with A.L.L.A. (At Long Last A$AP) stepping out impressively at #5, while Mariah Carey is apparently still a top-20 concern — her new release #1 To Infinity opens at #18. Local collab album The Rules Of Attraction, by Tim Rogers & The Bamboos, isn't far off, making its debut at #26.

Further down the Albums ladder, but still making relatively strong debuts are The Story So Far (The Story So Far, #35), Alesso (Forever, #41), Unknown Mortal Orchetra (Multilove, #45), and The Vaccines (English Graffiti, #48).

On the Singles charts, Taylor Swift reclaims pole position with Bad Blood, featuring Kendrick Lamar, swapping places with last week's surprise #1 Grace, whose You Don't Own Me, featuring G. Eazy, falls to #3 this week.

The highest new track to be making its debut comes from Eurovision contestant Guy Sebastian, with his country-representing anthem Tonight Again hitting the charts at #12. The only other new face inside the top 20 is Mans Zelmerlow, who slides in at #19 with Heroes.

Finally, also of note are Splendour In The Grass drawcards Florence & The Machine, who also make a fresh appearance on the ladder this week, with Delilah coming in at #41, just behind Anja Nissen's debutante Anyone Who Had A Heart, which nabs #40 upon entry.