Doja Cat Pounces For Her First U.K. No. 1

Doja Cat is crowned on the U.K. chart for the very first time with “Paint the Town Red,” which completes its coronation in its fifth week.

Lifted from the U.S. artist’s forthcoming fourth album Scarlet, “Paint the Town Red” (via Kemosabe Records/RCA Records) hangs on after claiming pole position at the midweek stage. “Paint the Town Red” had led on the chart blast the previous week, before being overtaken in the final stages by Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire” (Geffen).

Doja Cat has 15 U.K. top 40 singles, including top 10s with 2020’s ”Say So” (No. 2 peak), 2021’s SZA collaboration “Kiss Me More” (No. 3) and her 2021 team-up with “You Right” with the Weeknd (No. 9).

Meanwhile, Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” (EMI) improves 4-2 for a new best. It’s an unusual journey for a song which first appeared on Swift’s 2019 chart-topping album Lover, and was liberated in June of this year as an official single release.

Rodrigo’s “Vampire” dips 1-3 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published Sept. 8.

Red hot producer and DJ Fred Again snags his first top 10 single as a solo artist with “adore u” (Atlantic) featuring Nigerian vocalist Obongjaya. The track rises 13-9, for a new peak position. The Mercury Prize-nominated creator has produced works with Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, Little Mix, Rita Ora and others.

The U.K.’s decades-long love affair with Kylie Minogue continues to blossom as “Tension” (BMG), the title track from her forthcoming 16th studio album, lands at No. 19. That’s the highest debut this week and it’s the U.K.’s best-selling single for the latest cycle. “Tension” gives the Aussie pop veteran her 53rd U.K. top 40, and her second this year after “Padam Padam” cracked the top 10 (peaking at No. 8).

Close behind is Kenya Grace’s “Strangers” (FFRR), which enters the chart at No. 20. The viral number is the English singer and songwriter’s major label debut, and her first appearance on the national survey.

Finally, Troye Sivan is in a rush on the U.K. chart. The Australian pop artist’s “Rush” (Polydor) powers 33-22, following the release of a new remix featuring PinkPantheress and Hyunjin of K-pop group Stray Kids.