Irish country sensation Mike Denver has shot straight to the top of the Irish charts.

The singer, who is from Portumna in Co. Galway, and played his first ever gig in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford in January 2003, has scored big with Cut Loose, on the Sharpe Music label.

Denver, who is one of the bright young stars of Irish country music, pipped P.J. Harvey to the top spot. Her superb The Hope Six Demolition Project is at No. 2. Meanwhile Hot Press cover stars Walking On Cars retain their foothold in the Top 5, at No. 4 – after 12 weeks in the charts.

Other big movers this week are Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. Clearly benefitting from the halo effect surrounding their Dublin 3 Arena show, the band’s This Unruly Mess I’ve Made climbs back up to No.7, from No. 23 last week.

While the charts come too early for the full effect of Prince’s death to be seen, his Ultimate album is a re-entry at No. 9, reflecting just a single day's sales since the tragic news of his death. There seems to be little doubt that his output will feature heavily in next week’s charts.

The only other new entry this week is Friar Alessandro, whose Voice of Peace surfaces at No. 21.