Arctic Monkeys became the first independently-released group to score five consecutive U.K. No. 1 albums yesterday (Sept. 15). The Official Charts Company reports that “AM” (Domino) sold 157,000 last week, second only for an opening week on the artist chart this year to Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories” (Columbia/Sony), which sold 165,000 in May. Meanwhile, Katy Perry started a second week atop the singles chart with “Roar” (Virgin/Universal).
The Sheffield group, now based in Los Angeles, started their run when the debut set “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” went to No. 1 in 2006. That was followed the next year by “Favourite Worst Nightmare,” by “Humbug” in 2009 and “Suck It And See” in 2011. “AM” is also well represented on the singles survey: “Do I Wanna Know” has already reached No. 11 and this week climbs back 24-14, while “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High,” which previously reached No. 8, moves back 26-20.
Four of the top five titles on the album chart were new entries, with indie pop trio London Grammar’s debut set “If You Wait” (Metal and Dust Recordings) in at No. 2. From it, the single “Strong” climbed 17-16 in the new data. Last week’s No. 1, the eponymous debut album by The 1975 (Dirty Hit/Polydor/ Universal), fell to No. 3.