THE BESTSELLING ALBUMS OF 2022

We’re over halfway through 2022 and music fans have been treated to a slew of brand-new, hype-worthy albums from Harry Styles (Harry’s House), Beyoncé (Renaissance) and Kendrick Lamar (Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers).

But, which have made it onto the Official Charts Company’s list of the bestselling albums of 2022? It’s an intriguing mix of this year’s releases, albums that have been on heavy rotation since as far back as 2017 and heritage greatest hits collections.

To discover which ‘22 albums are rubbing shoulders with the likes of Eminem’s Curtain Call: The Hits, Adele’s 30 and Fleetwood Mac’s 50 Years: Don’t Stop, just keep reading...

Bestselling Albums of 2022

• Ed Sheeran – =
• Harry Styles – Harry’s House
• Olivia Rodrigo – Sour
• Adele – 30
• Little Mix – Between Us

No.1 Bestselling Album

Ed Sheeran – = (Equals)

• Release date: October 2021
• Label: Asylum, Atlantic
• Standout tracks: ‘Bad Habits’, ‘Overpass Graffiti, ‘The Joker and the Queen’
• Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Acoustic Pop

The biggest album of 2022 so far, according to the Official Charts (UK) is Ed Sheeran’s = (Equals).

Having claimed the title of the second-biggest album of 2021 overall, the 31-year-old’s fourth studio album is leading the charge at the year’s halfway point.

Plus, a recently-released Tour Edition will give the album another new lease of life.

Harry Styles – Harry’s House

• Release date: 20 May 2022
• Label: Columbia Records
• Standout tracks: ‘As it Was’, ‘Music For A Sushi Restaurant’
• Relevant Audio Network Playlist:  Pop

Harry’s House is the erstwhile 1D star’s highest-rated album to date critically and is full of Styles’ abundant charm, whilst also being more introspective than his previous releases.

It’s 2022’s biggest new release album and saw Harry claim the rare Official Chart Double as he topped both the Album Chart and the Official Singles Chart with lead track ‘As it Was’.

No other release this year has sold more copies on physical formats.

Olivia Rodrigo – Sour

• Release date: 21st May 2021
• Label: Geffen
• Standout tracks: ‘drivers licence’, ‘brutal’, ‘good 4 u’, ‘deja vu’
• Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Alt-Pop

It’s official: Olivia Rodrigo is the future of pop.

Her debut album has absolutely no right to be as good as it is – singles such as ‘Good 4 U’ and ‘Drivers Licence’ have proven a hit with millions of people worldwide, leading to the 19-year-old singer-songwriter taking home three awards at this year’s GRAMMYS.

Adele – 30

• Release date: 19th November 2021
• Label: Columbia
• Standout tracks: ‘Easy On Me’, ‘Oh My God’, ‘I Drink Wine’
• Relevant Audio Network Playlist: R&B Pop

Adele has been the queen of the music industry ever since the early 2010s, and with each album just as popular as the next, there seems to be no stopping the soulful singer and her rosé-ready heartbreak anthems.

30 was the fastest-selling album of 2021, and it’s currently the fourth best-selling album of 2022.

Little Mix – Between Us

• Release date: 12th November 2021
• Label: RCA
• Standout tracks: ‘Love (Sweet Love)’, ‘Between Us’, ‘Move’, ‘Sweet Melody’
• Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Mainstream Pop

After a decade together, the Little Mix ladies have been on a well-deserved break since May 2022.

Nevertheless, Perrie, Jade and Leigh-Anne are still on top of the world, with their 2021 greatest hits record, Between Us, currently the fifth best-selling album of 2022.

The Edit

Now that you’ve read up about the most popular albums of 2022 – all hail No. 1 best-seller Ed Sheeran’s Equals - and glanced into the future hits, find out which have been the best ads of 2022 as well as the best sport ads of 2022, over on The Edit.

Once you’re fully versed in the records that have made it big this year, it’s time to start exploring our playlists to discover music for your next project. Take inspiration from Ed Sheeran’s success by adding one of our chilled pop songs to your next commercial, capture the attention of Gen-Zs by utilising one of our UK grime tracks in your podcast or trigger nostalgia by enhancing your television series with some retro-rock.