The anticipation is palpable as music enthusiasts and eagle-eyed chart watchers eagerly await Billboard’s announcement of the new No. 1 album in America. The usual Sunday evening reveal has been delayed this time around, leaving fans guessing and speculating on who will claim the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart. Two releases are at the forefront of this exciting battle—South Korean girl group NewJeans and the Barbie soundtrack—and at the moment, it’s not clear which one will end up on top.
For the past week, music chart predictors had been confident that NewJeans was destined for their first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with their just-released EP Get Up. Publications like HitsDailyDouble projected that the band’s new set would launch atop the chart with more than 140,000 equivalent units. However, the unexpected delay in the charts’ release has left room for uncertainty, possibly giving other contenders a chance to take the lead.
Billboard’s tweet on Monday, July 31, explaining the delay as a “processing issue,” only added to the intrigue. Fans commented underneath the post, wondering if there were issues with certifying sales or streams. While the specific cause of the delay remains unknown, one thing is certain: no album has been confirmed as the definitive No. 1 yet.
The Barbie soundtrack is the other highly anticipated release that was poised to make a strong debut on the Billboard 200. Featuring songs from some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Dua Lipa, Lizzo, Billie Eilish, and Nicki Minaj, the album was predicted to open with around 120,000 equivalent units, according to HitsDailyDouble.
The unexpected delay in Billboard’s announcement has thrown the race for the No. 1 spot wide open. As of now, there is no clear winner, leaving fans on the edge of their seats, wondering if Barbie will surpass expectations and claim the throne, or if NewJeans will make history as one of the few South Korean acts to rule the Billboard 200.
With Billboard now a day and a half late on its announcement and no confirmation as to when the news will break and a leader will be named, the uncertainty lingers. As fans continue to speculate, both NewJeans and Barbie are now being seen for their immense popularity and potential to make a significant impact on the charts.