Hits Daily Double has updated its outlook for the May 20-26 US album sales race, indeed confirming tight races for #1 on both the Top Album Sales and Billboard 200 charts.
As of press time, the Top Album Sales race is still looking like a nail-biter between Ariana Grande’s “Dangerous Woman” and Blake Shelton’s “If I’m Honest.” Hits reiterates that both should sell about 120-130,000 US albums this week.
Shelton’s album has overtaken Grande’s release on iTunes — and presumably at other retailers — but “Dangerous Woman” remains in the race thanks to its strong pre-order and opening day performances.
“Dangerous Woman” is meanwhile expected to contend with Drake’s “Views” for #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, which ranks albums based on total weekly consumption (album sales + track sales/10 + track streams/1500). Both are pacing for 150-160,000 weekly units.
While the majority of the “Dangerous Woman” units will come from pure album sales, “Views” will generate most of its activity from track sales and streams. Of the 150-160,000 projected units, Hits expects only 55-60,000 to come from album sales.
Expected to generate 135-140,000 in weekly consumption units, Shelton’s “If I’m Honest” is currently pacing for a strong #3 on the Billboard 200.
