The biggest vinyl releases of the year so far have been confirmed

vinyl records
(Image credit: Alessandra Bucci - Getty)

The UK's Official Charts has revealed the biggest vinyl albums of the year so far with rock showing a strong performance in the top 40 albums.

But while Harry Styles tops the chart with his recent Harry's House album, rock is still relying on a selection of records from the past to shore up the top 40, with Fleetwood Mac's 1977 album Rumours flying high at no.6.

The highest rock entry for a new record is Red Hot Chili Peppers and their latest album Unlimited Love which is in at no.9, while Ghost's Impera features at no. 26.

Nirvana's ever-popular Nevermind from 1991 is the 10th most popular vinyl release so far in 2022, while Pink Floyd's classic The Dark Side Of The Moon is at 14, with David Bowie's name featuring twice in the list: at no. 13 for The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust and at 36 with Hunky Dory.

Other notable names in the top 40 include Radiohead, The Smile, Jack White, Wet Leg, Liam Gallagher, Tears For Fears, Stereophonics and Johnny Marr. Find the full list below.

Earlier this year, the British Phonographic Industry reported that more than five million vinyl albums were sold in the UK in 2021 - the 14th consecutive year of growth for the format.

MD of Proper Music Distribution Drew Hill told the BPI: "Nearly 90% of unique no.1 albums hit the top spot off the back of a physical sales majority, with some hugely impressive numbers from the likes of Adele, whose new album maintained its chart lead with an increasing physical majority share, and ABBA, who claimed the title of fastest-selling vinyl of the century.

“It’s further proof that in this golden era of choice, music fans really cherish an album they can hold!"

Interested in vinyl? The check out our list of the 20 best classic rock albums to own on vinyl, while we also have guides on the best vinyl record storagebest record players, the best budget turntables, the best portable record players and the best headphones for vinyl.


Top 40 best-selling vinyl albums of 2022 so far

1. Harry's House - Harry Styles
2. C'Mon You Know - Liam Gallagher
3. Wet Leg - Wet Leg
4. Skinty Fia - Fontaines DC
5. The Overload - Yard Act
6. Rumours - Fleetwood Mac
7. Life Is Yours - Foals
8. The Tipping Point - Tears For Fears
9. Unlimited Love - Red Hot Chili Peppers
10. Nevermind - Nirvana
11. We - Arcade Fire
12. Ants From Up There - Black Country New Road
13. The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust - David Bowie
14. The Dark Side Of The Moon - Pink Floy
15. Dance Fever - Florenece & The Machine
16. A Light For Attracting Attention - The Smile
17. AM - Arctic Monkeys
18. Gold Rush Kid - George Ezra
19. Crash - Charli XCX
20. Ribbon Around The Bomb - Blossoms
21. Down By The River Thames - Liam Gallagher
22. Back To Black - Amy Winehouse
23. Who Cares - Rex Orange County
24. Fix Yourself Not The World - Wombats
25. Fragments - Bonobo
26. Impera - Ghost
27. Fear Of The Dawn - Jack White
28. Amazing Things - Don Broco
29. Fine Line - Harry Styles
30. Oochya - Stereophonics
31. Fever Dreams Pts 1-4 - Johnny Marr
32. FTHC - Frank Turner
33. = - Ed Sheeran
34. Give Me The Future - Bastille
35. Call Me If You Get Lost - Tyler The Creator
36. Hunky Dory - David Bowie
37. The Dream - Alt-J
38. Harry Styles - Harry Styles
39. OK Computer - Radiohead
40. How To Let Go - Sigrid

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald newspapers, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.