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Update: While the new iTunes pre-order policy prevented Kelly Clarkson’s “Piece by Piece” from immediately soaring to #1 on the album sales chart, a chart glitch prevented it from getting there later Monday morning.
That glitch has been resolved, and Kelly Clarkson’s latest studio album is now listed as the top seller on iTunes.
The pre-order for Mumford & Sons” “Wilder Mind,” which previously held the #1 spot, slips to #2. Drake’s “If You’re Reading This it’s Too Late” (#3), the “50 Shades of Grey Soundtrack” (#4) and Big Sean’s “Dark Sky Paradise” (#5) hold the remaining top 5 positions.
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The moment’s best-selling album on iTunes is one from which no tracks are even available.
Currently in its pre-order phase, Mumford & Sons’ “Wilder Mind” holds the top spot on the iTunes Album Sales chart.
Unlike typical pre-orders, the purchase does not yet grant users access to instant gratification tracks. Those buying the album now are doing so purely out of anticipation for the follow-up to the Grammy-winning “Babel.”
“Wilder Mind” is expected to arrive on May 4.
As far as currently available albums go, Drake’s “If You’re Reading This it’s Too Late” still represents the leading option on iTunes. It plays runner-up to “Wilder Mind” on the iTunes Album Sales chart.
The “50 Shades of Grey” soundtrack follows at #3, while Big Sean’s recently released “Dark Sky Paradise” (#4) and Taylor Swift’s enduring “1989” (#5) hold the final two Top 5 slots.
With Kid Rock’s “First Kiss” in the #6 position, one has to look to #7 to find the highest-charting new release. That release is Kelly Clarkson’s “Piece by Piece.”
Of relevance is an iTunes policy change regarding the way pre-order sales are reflected on the sales chart.
Historically, an album would twice impact an album’s chart position: once at the time of purchase and once at the time of redemption. Following the recent change, redemptions no longer affect chart positions.
The #7 position, therefore, is attributable to last-minute pre-orders (those that would fall within iTunes’ tabulation window) and actual release day purchases. Had the old system been in play, pre-order redemptions would have vaulted the album into one of the Top 2 or 3 spots immediately upon release.
That explanation does not, however, change the fact that “Piece by Piece” is not expected to be a blockbuster first-week seller.
Skrillex & Diplo’s “Skrillex & Diplo Present Jack U,” (#8), Ed Sheeran’s “x” and Imagine Dragons’ “Smoke + Mirrors” round out the top ten.
