Doja Cat Leads With ‘Paint The Town Red’ – Billboard

Doja Cat has another fine chance to capture her first U.K. chart crown with “Paint The Town Red.”

Based on midweek sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, “Paint The Town Red” (via Kemosabe Records/RCA Records) is in pole position.

The U.S. pop singer and rapper will hope for a different result from last week, when “Paint The Town Red” led at the midweek stage, before being outraced in the final straight by Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire” (Geffen). Doja Cat’s Scarlet single finished the last chart cycle at No. 2, an equal career high (“Say So” also finished in the runner-up position).

As it stands, Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” (EMI) lifts 4-2, as “Vampire” dips 1-3.

Meanwhile, Calvin Harris and Sam Smith’s latest collaboration, “Desire” (Columbia), could climb into the top 5 for the first time. It’s up 7-5 on the Official Chart Update.

Fred Again’s “Adore U” (Atlantic) could become the red hot producer’s first Top 10 single as a solo artist. “Adore U” rises 16-10 on the chart blast.

Australia’s pop princess Kylie Minogue is readying the release of her 16th studio album, Tension (due out Sept. 22 via BMG). The title track is set to arrive at No. 19 on the national chart, for what should be Kylie’s 53rd top 40 hit in the U.K. “Tension” is the followup to “Padam Padam,” which crashed the top 10 earlier this year, reaching No. 8.

English singer and songwriter Kenya Grace has never impacted the Official Singles Chart. That could be about to change, as “Strangers” (Major Recordings) blasts to No. 22 on the midweek tally.

Finally, Nicki Minaj’s “Last Time I Saw You” (Republic Records). The Pink Friday 2 cut could bow at No. 25, for what would be the rap star’s 44th U.K. top 40 single. Minaj’s Pink Friday sequel is due out Nov. 17.

The Official U.K. Singles Chart will be presented late Friday, Sept. 8.