Sam Smith’s In the Lonely Hour hit the top spot in the first album charts to feature streaming data.
According to the Official Charts Company (OCC), Sam’s debut album finished with a combined chart sales figure of 41,000 ahead of Ed Sheeran’s X on 38,000.
Ed, Sam Smith battled it out with Brighton rockers Royal Blood for the top spot.
All three acts saw huge gains in both streams and sales following their performance at the BRIT Awards.
Martin Talbot, OCC chief executive, said: ‘Many congratulations to Sam Smith. It has already been a huge year for him, following his Grammy and BRIT Awards triumphs – and he can now add claiming number one in this week’s historic official album chart.
‘It is an especially impressive achievement given the strength of the competition. Sam and Ed are both established as genuine superstars now - and the fact that they appeal to fans who buy CDs, snap up album downloads and stream music highlights just how broad their appeal is.’
Combined sales of Royal Blood’s self-titled album grew by 11 times following the show, pushing them to third place in the charts.
Elsewhere in the singles chart, Ellie Goulding’s Love Me Like You Do, taken from the cinematic version of 50 Shades of Grey, claimed the top spot for the fourth consecutive week.
According to the Official Charts Company (OCC), Sam’s debut album finished with a combined chart sales figure of 41,000 ahead of Ed Sheeran’s X on 38,000.
Ed, Sam Smith battled it out with Brighton rockers Royal Blood for the top spot.
All three acts saw huge gains in both streams and sales following their performance at the BRIT Awards.
Martin Talbot, OCC chief executive, said: ‘Many congratulations to Sam Smith. It has already been a huge year for him, following his Grammy and BRIT Awards triumphs – and he can now add claiming number one in this week’s historic official album chart.
‘It is an especially impressive achievement given the strength of the competition. Sam and Ed are both established as genuine superstars now - and the fact that they appeal to fans who buy CDs, snap up album downloads and stream music highlights just how broad their appeal is.’
Combined sales of Royal Blood’s self-titled album grew by 11 times following the show, pushing them to third place in the charts.
Elsewhere in the singles chart, Ellie Goulding’s Love Me Like You Do, taken from the cinematic version of 50 Shades of Grey, claimed the top spot for the fourth consecutive week.
