Pulp Returns to the Top of the UK Charts with New Album “More”

June 18, 20252 min read

Pulp has made a triumphant return to the UK album charts, claiming the number one spot for the first time since 1998 with their new release, More.

The Sheffield band, led by Jarvis Cocker, last topped the charts in 1998 with This Is Hardcore, a follow-up to their 1995 hit album Different Class. After the darker tones of This Is Hardcore, which featured Cocker’s candid reflections on fame and success, the band’s popularity waned. Their final album, We Love Life, released in 2001, peaked at number six. They disbanded the following year, but after a couple of reunion tours, More marks their first new album in over two decades.

In a four-star review for The Guardian, Alexis Petridis praised the album, stating, “Often, a reformed band’s new release can feel like a mere filler for live performances. That is certainly not the case with More.”

Currently, Pulp is on tour, with two performances scheduled at London’s O2 Arena this weekend, followed by shows in Birmingham and Manchester.

Thanks to strong physical sales, Pulp has secured the top spot, overcoming US pop star Addison Rae, whose debut album Addison sits at number two. Rae’s release has also received critical acclaim, with The Guardian’s Shaad D’Souza highlighting its “casually incisive tone,” suggesting it aligns her with pop icons like Madonna and Janet Jackson. Meanwhile, British rapper Little Simz has reached a career high at number three with her sixth album, Lotus.

At number four, Sabrina Carpenter’s album Short n’ Sweet has made history, becoming the female artist with the longest run in the UK Top 5 since its release last August. The previous record was held by Shania Twain’s Come on Over, which spent 41 weeks in the Top 5 between 1999 and 2000.

This week, Carpenter stirred up online conversation with the announcement of her upcoming album Man’s Best Friend, which features a provocative cover image. The lead single from this album, Manchild, has debuted at number one on the singles chart, ending Alex Warren’s record-breaking 12-week run at the top with Ordinary.