The holidays are officially over. If you had any doubt, just look at the numbers projected for next week”s Top 10 on the Billboard 200. Gone are sales numbers in the six figures. Back are lesser-act acts who waited until January to drop new titles rather than compete with superstars.
Christian Contemporary artist Chris Tomlin”s “Burning Lights” looks good for a No. 1 debut, with sales of up to 75,000. Close behind him are “Notes from the Underground” from Hollywood Undead at No. 2 and “Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones” from Black Veil Brides” at No. 3.
After the trio of debuts, we get back to some returning names. This week”s No. 1, the soundtrack to “Les Miserables,” likely drops to No. 4, although it and Taylor Swift”s “Red” are locked in a race that”s too close to call for the No. 4 and No. 5 spot right now. Both should sell between 45,000 and 50,000.
Vying for No. 6 are Bruno Mars” “Unorthodox Jukebox” and the soundtrack to “Pitch Perfect,” both pegged for 35,000-40,000.
It”s a two-way race for No. 8 as well, as the new set from Dropkick Murphys, “Signed and Sealed in Blood” and The Lumineers” self-titled set are neck and neck with sales between 30,000 and 35,000 for each.
Likely coming in at No. 10 is Pink”s “The Truth About Love,” which will sell between 27,000 and 30,000, according to Hits Daily Double.