IT’S THE LATHUMS VS DOVES IN ‘THE BATTLE OF THE NORTH’ AS BANDS FIGHT IT OUT FOR THE TOP SPOT
Typically in UK music, the ‘band’ are seldom top of the Album Charts. In 2024, only 15 of 52 top album spots were won by bands opposed to solo acts. This year, in 2025, no band has managed to steal the spotlight yet. Despite critically acclaimed albums from the likes of Inhaler, The Wombats, Manic Street Preachers and Franz Ferdinand being unleashed on the world plus offerings from newer acts such as Lambrini Girls and Maribou State, the charts have never looked so demoralising to the bands.
Dominated by the biggest global pop household names – Taylor Swift, Chappel Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd – to name but a few, the album charts are increasingly susceptible to influence to those who have the loudest voices, as opposed to the talent on offer.
This week marks the biggest “battle of the bands” of 2025 so far, with Northern favourites The Lathums and Doves both currently topping the Official UK Charts. Yet, either dream will be crushed if, as expected, Sam Fender or Sabrina Carpenter ramps up a resurgence in sales, leading to a legacy No.1 spot.
DOVES
The first album in over 5 years for Cheshire’s best Doves, ‘Constellations For The Lonely‘ is a remarkable return. Gaining a well deserved 5 star credit from our very own Robert McAuley ahead of its release, “Constellations For The Lonely is far more than an album; it is an experience.” Elaborating with “A melodic journey that defines its protagonist and shapes them through lessons that the Doves preach through their instruments. From start to finish the band climb higher and higher, after each track you think – this must be it, there is no way for Jimi, Jez and Andy to top the song you just heard. However, when you expect the descent to begin a guitar twangs, a drum bangs and higher they go. Constellations For The Lonely is met with standing ovation after standing ovation to the point where you forget you ever had a chair.”
Doves throw every inch of curiosity and creativity into their sixth album. The passion is felt firmly throughout and leaves the listener breathless on exit.
If Doves managed to sneak into the top spot on Friday, it will be the bands 4th Number 1 record so far following 2002’s The Last Broadcast, 2005’s Some Cities and 2020’s The Universal Want. If The Lathums scrape through, the band – still in their mid/early 20’s – will be celebrating their 3rd consecutive Number 1.
Check out our FIVE STAR REVIEW now.
THE LATHUMS
Debuting their first album How Beautiful Life Can Be in 2021, the band propelled to the forefront of the new Indie scene gaining a debut No.1 album. In 2023 the momentum continued to feed and From Nothing To A Little Bit More went straight to the top spot beating new releases from Slowthai and Mimi Webb.
Also preaching another 5 star rating, The Lathums third album Matter Does Not Define is apparently in the front running to gain the treble.
“The Lathums are sounding tighter than ever on this record; Duzz (Ryan Durran – drums) the beating heart of the band holding everything together, Matty (Matthew Murphy – bass) interweaving himself and his instrument as the unsung back bone of the four. But the real beauty of listening to The Lathums as a unit on this record is the intertwined musical spirits of Scott (Conception- guitar) and Alex (Moore – lead vocals), who have managed to capture an unmatched euphony together. The emotion that Alex pours into his delivery of the tracks is mirrored by Scott’s guitar. Like an extension of one another, intensifying the delivery of everything they offer.”
Matter Does Not Define marks a new chapter for the Wigan lads, with our review summarising the record as “Matter Does Not Define is much deeper than that, it tells a story and captures so many different moods and emotions which will hit you differently on every listen. This is probably their most polished record to date, marking a transition for The Lathums and the much bigger things to come.”
Check out our FIVE STAR REVIEW now.
As underdogs in the indie scene, especially as bands, we know that charts are really not the pinnacle of true success. It’s the selling out the bigger room every year in succession, hearing those voices sing the songs you wrote in your bedroom back at you and ultimately the sentiment hearing first hand the impact your music has had on the fans which is the true joy of being in music. But yet, the pressure is still high. Once you hit the top spot, there becomes an expectation to repeat that success; it becomes symbolic to the fans, a way to champion the music that gives them so much back. Solo artists have never looked so appealing to the industry, ready to make a fast buck – there’s bigger profit margins, less voices to challenge decisions and ultimately it gives greater creative control to those pulling the strings. It’s a dangerous decline which threatens the whole dynamic of the music scene. So when a band hits the top spot it is symbolic; a reminder they still exist, inspiring yong people to pick up the guitar, get behind the drum kit, slap the bass and come together with their mates to create something magical.
You can support both bands battles to the top from just £4.99
Author
