Beyonce Looking For #1, Country Controversy Boosts Sales

Beyonce's record-breaking surprise self-titled album is in a tight battle to debut at #1 on the ARIA Albums Chart this week, according to midweek figures.

With Michael Buble's Christmas record (currently number one) and reality TV show graduate Taylor Henderson's self-titled to compete with, it's a close race with Beyonce's iTunes-only release – the second half of the week will be key.

Interestingly, the controversy surrounding the Australian country music scene at the moment that prompted Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey with withdraw their album The Great Country Songbook from the Golden Guitars has given their record a sales boost this week. Currently at 60, it'll jump back into the top 50, probably outside the top 25 at this stage.

Other seasonal movers include The 12th Man's Willy Nilly – The 12th Man's Biggest Hits following the Ashes cricket victory, with the comedy album looking to push into the top three. Neil Finn & Paul Kelly's Goin' Your Way is also enjoying a sales jump this week.

In a quiet week for releases the other top 50 debut will come from Marina Prior's Candlelight Christmas.

In the ARIA Singles Chart the midweek figures are suggesting that Pharrell Williams' Happy will be the big mover from ten. It debuted one behind triple j's Christmas Number One but unlike the radio station's charity single will continue to claw into the top ten.

Rudimental featuring Emeli Sanda and Nas's Free pushes up from 16, as does Ed Sheeran's track for The Hobbit film I See Fire from 21 and Lorde's Team from 33.

The new debuts will come from Lea Michele's Cannonball, London Grammar's Strong and A Great Big World featuring Christina Aguilera's Say Something.