Justin Bieber's new "Believe" album is still on course for the largest debut sales week of the year, as industry sources say the set will move between 390,000 and 410,000 copies by week's end on Sunday, June 24. "Believe" will easily debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 next week.
That start is scaled back a bit from the range of 410,000 to 440,000 that some in-the-know had forecasted on Wednesday, June 20. However, as we've noted previously, estimating sales is tricky and projections can change on a daily basis.
The new Billboard 200's top 10 will be revealed on the morning of Wednesday, June 27.
Also on tap to score a big bow next week: Kenny Chesney's "Welcome to the Fishbowl," with around 200,000. It seems a likely lock for a debut in the runner-up slot. His last album, 2010's "Hemingway's Whiskey," entered at No. 1 with 183,000 sold according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Usher's current No. 1 on the Billboard 200, "Looking 4 Myself," might end up in the No. 3 slot next week, while Fiona Apple's new "The Idler Wheel . . ." is eyeing a top five debut. Sources say it will sell around 60,000 to 70,000 copies.
Also headed for the top 10: Smashing Pumpkins' "Oceania," with around 50,000 copies. It could mark the band's seventh top 10 album, and will follow 2007's No. 2-peaking "Zeitgeist."
On Nielsen SoundScan's Building chart (below), Bieber is No. 1, followed by Chesney, Usher and Apple at Nos. 2-4, respectively. The Building tally is a precursor to the final Billboard 200 ranking -- reflecting the first four days (Monday through Thursday) of SoundScan's tracking week as reported by six major merchants. Adele's unstoppable "21" is No. 5, while Smashing Pumpkins' "Oceania" is No. 6.
Rounding out the Building Chart's top 10 are the "Rock of Ages" soundtrack (No. 7), Rush's "Clockwork Angels" (No. 8), One Direction's "Up All Night" (No. 9) and Josh Turner's "Punching Bag" (No. 10)
| Nielsen SoundScan Building Chart | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | LW BB 200 | Artist | Title |
| 1 | NEW | Justin Bieber | "Believe" |
| 2 | NEW | Kenny Chesney | "Welcome to the Fishbowl" |
| 3 | 1 | Usher | "Looking 4 Myself" |
| 4 | NEW | Fiona Apple | "The Idler Wheel . . ." |
| 5 | 3 | Adele | "21" |
| 6 | NEW | Smashing Pumpkins | "Oceania" |
| 7 | 9 | Soundtrack | "Rock of Ages" |
| 8 | 2 | Rush | "Clockwork Angels" |
| 9 | 6 | One Direction | "Up All Night" |
| 10 | 4 | Josh Turner | "Punching Bag" |
The Building Chart reflects the first four days (Monday through Thursday) of SoundScan's tracking week (which ends Sunday) as reported by six major merchants: iTunes, Trans World Entertainment, Best Buy, Starbucks, Target and Anderson Merchandisers. Billboard estimates that they make up about 85% of all U.S. album sales.
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