The Libertines Land First U.K. No. 1 In 20 Years

The Libertines complete a successful U.K. chart race with All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade, the celebrated British indie rock outfit’s fourth studio album.

The leader at the midweek point, All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade (via EMI) bows at No. 1 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart, published Friday, April 12.

It’s the Libertines’ second U.K. chart-topper, following their self-titled sophomore album from 2004, and fifth top 40 appearance overall, a tally that includes 2002’s critically-adored debut Up The Bracket (No. 35), 2007 retrospective Time For Heroes – The Best Of The Libertines (No. 23) and 2015’s Anthems For Doomed Youth (No. 3).

Beyoncé’s record-setting country-leaning release Cowboy Carter (Columbia/Parkwood Ent) is removed from the chart throne, down 1-2, while Earlestown, England outfit The K’s complete the podium with their debut LP, I Wonder If The World Knows? (LAB), new at No. 3.

U.K. singer and songwriter Conan Gray grabs a career best with his third studio record Found Heaven (Island), new at No. 4. That’s Gray’s second top 10 effort after 2022’s Superache peaked at No. 8.

Meanwhile, U.S. rapper J. Cole collects his fourth U.K. top 10 with Might Delete Later (Interscope), his surprise-release mixtape. It’s new at No. 7, and joins his previous top tier releases 2013’s Born Sinner (No. 7), 2018’s KOD (No. 2) and 2021’s The Off-Season (No. 2).

Also new to the top 10 is Feeder with Black/Red (Big Teeth) at No. 8, for the British indie rockers’ 11th U.K. top 10 appearance.

Finally, new releases from Vampire Weekend (Only God Was Above Us at No. 11 via Columbia), the Black Keys (Ohio Players at No. 13, Benson Boone (Fireworks & Rollerblades at No. 16 via Warner Records), Khruangbin (A La Sala at No. 18 via Dead Oceans) and Bob Vylan (Humble As The Sun at No. 22 via Ghost Theatre) make their mark on the U.K. top 40.