Britain’s divinely voiced soul singer Celeste is on track to top the UK album charts this week, following the release of her debut album ‘Not Your Muse’ last Friday – according to the Official Chart Company.

Celeste – the California-born, Brighton-raised artist who won the BBC’s Sound of 2020 Poll and the Brit Awards Rising Star prize last year – released her album to critical acclaim, with critics praising her vocal prowess and depth of context. According to the OCC, Celeste has a lead of 8,000 chart sales as of the February 1st Official Chart Update – having racked up the most physical and digital sales this past weekend.

Should Celeste bag the top spot, she will perpetuate a trend of Brit Award Rising Star prize (formerly known as the BRITs Critics’ Choice) winners subsequently achieving a number one chart position with their debut album. Former winners of the prize include Adele, Ellie Goulding, Sam Fender and Rag’n’Bone Man – all of whom went on to achieve number ones with their debuts.

Originally scheduled for release on February 26th, it was announced last month that the release of ‘Not Your Muse’ would be pushed forward to January 29th. In a statement released back in December as the album was announced, Celeste explained that ’Not Your Muse’ “is the power I found when I felt powerless…In making this album I have allowed myself to arrive at a place where I feel empowered, fiercely wide-eyed and fulfilled.

“I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved on my debut album and to be in this position, after the year that has been, I feel nothing but gratitude and excitement. I hope you enjoy it…”

Still in contention for the top sport but currently second by the midweek stage is art-rock musician Steve Wilson with his sixth studio album ‘The Future Bites’. Should Wilson retain the number two spot or higher, it would be a personal chart best for the artist, following a number three position with 2017 album ‘To The Bone’. Currently in third position is a contemporary of Celeste in the UK neo-soul scene, as Arlo Parks’ debut ‘Collapsed In Sunbeams’ is also on track for a top three finish in the first week.

The final results of this week’s album chart will be published by the OCC on Friday. You can find the full tracklist of ‘Not Your Muse’ below: